TNZ puts AAPT on Sale Again

Telecom New Zealand is making a further attempt to offload its struggling Australian business AAPT, opening talks with a number of junior telcos less than six months after failing to find a buyer for around $450 million. TNZ is now believed to be in talks with NSW-based Soul — which is controlled by WH Soul Pattison — about selling its retail fixed-line business, the fourth biggest in the country. AAPT is also in separate talks with infrastructure player Powertel — which holds a 19 per cent stake in Perth-based broadband company iiNet — to build a credible third force in broadband internet services