Woolworths ramping up telco push

PRETTY soon you’ll be popping down to Woolies for an NBN plan. The supermarket is gearing up for a major expansion into telco services.

Woolworths is eyeing an expansion into fixed line services. Picture: Joel Carrett/AAP

PRETTY soon you’ll be popping down to Woolies for milk, bread and an NBN plan.

The supermarket giant is gearing up for a major expansion into telco services, with plans to eventually offer fixed-line home broadband.

In a job advertisement for a telco technology manager, first reported by IT News, Woolworths said it was “now in the process of substantially growing” its telecommunications presence in the Australian market.

“[We] are much more than a supermarket,” it said. “Being part of Australia’s biggest retail group, Woolworths Limited, we have expanded beyond our traditional food, liquor and general merchandise to embrace lines such as home improvement and financial services.

“Woolworths Mobile is … well on the way to becoming a full-service virtual network operator that will offer a range of fixed and mobile services.

“Customer service and loyalty will be enhanced through integration with Woolworths’ highly successful ‘Woolworths Rewards’ program and it is anticipated that at a later time content services will also be offered.”

Woolworths has been selling cheap mobile broadband prepaid and plan packages in partnership with Telstra since last year. The supermarket had a similar relationship several years ago with Optus.

A Woolworths spokesman told news.com.au: “We continue to enjoy a strong relationship with our partner Telstra and are constantly looking for further ways to bring great telco products to the market for our customers.”

Last year, Fairfax reported NBN Co. was working on a “secret plan” to help retailers like Woolworths sell broadband plans in competition with phone companies.