E-Phone has new allies

Listed telecommunications company E-Phone has entered a strategic alliance with two information technology giants - NCR and Hewlett Packard - to attack the public internet terminal and kiosk market.

Auckland-based E-Phone said it had joined forces with NCR and HP to develop further its proprietary software and management system known as Patloc, which enables the remote management, billing and control of public-access internet terminals.

E-Phone has about 150 terminals placed along the Australian eastern seaboard and in New Zealand. It is also a major supplier of phone cards in New Zealand and has similar ambitions in Australia.

E-Phone closed at 35c, up 2c.

- NZPA