The deal will see Telstra assume control of the management and service aspects of Woolworths' voice, data and mobile telecommunications from the end of March 2003. Telstra presently handles data and some mobile telecommunications for Woolworths, while the majority of mobiles are with Vodafone and AAPT/Telecom New Zealand holds the contract for supply of voice communications. There will be a six-month transition period to full implementation.
"Woolworths will have ongoing access to the latest innovations in telecommunications technology as Telstra is committed to maintaining world-class standards going forward," said Roger Corbett, group managing director and CEO of Woolworths.
A spokesperson for Woolworths told ZDNet Australia that "relatively few" employees would be transferred to Telstra in a phased transition and had been briefed about the process. No redundancies are planned.
Optus and Telecom New Zealand also contested the open tender for the contract.
