What Farmside does

Farmside (legal entity Baycity Communications Limited) is a New Zealand-based rural telecommunications provider founded in 2003 and headquartered in Timaru. The company delivers broadband, mobile, voice, and IoT services to rural and provincial customers throughout New Zealand, addressing connectivity gaps left by urban-focused telecommunications providers. It is 100% owned by One New Zealand Group Limited (formerly Vodafone NZ), and operates as a rural-specialist distribution and service arm of the One NZ group while retaining its own brand, local Timaru-based contact centre, and installer network.

Farmside's product portfolio spans multiple broadband technologies (Rural Wireless, Urban Wireless, ADSL, VDSL, and Fibre via Chorus and other local fibre companies), mobile plans with companion group options and data-only variants, and an IoT asset management line built around the Oyster 3 GPS tracker. A distinctive capability is the SpaceX Satellite TXT service, launched in 2024 via the One NZ/Starlink partnership, which enables text messaging via satellite direct-to-mobile in approximately 40% of New Zealand's land mass outside traditional cell tower coverage.

The company generates primarily recurring subscription revenue from monthly broadband, mobile, and asset tracking subscriptions, supplemented by one-time fees for equipment and installation services. Distribution is multi-channel: direct phone sales via an 0800 number, the MyFarmside self-service portal, a national installer network, and billing partnerships with the four major New Zealand rural cooperatives (Farmlands, Farm Source, PGG Wrightson, and RuralCo). Zero-rated data partnerships with BNZ, Westpac, MYOB, and Figured layer additional ecosystem value onto the core connectivity product for farm financial and accounting workflows.

Name

Farmside

Legal name

Baycity Communications Limited

Website

https://farmside.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Farmside is a New Zealand rural telecommunications provider, 100% owned by One NZ, delivering broadband, mobile, satellite TXT, and IoT asset tracking to rural and provincial households and farms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Telecommunications

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Telematics & Fleet/Asset Tracking (Equipment Connectivity) (AFAAAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG), Asset, Fleet & Maintenance Management Advisory (Equipment/Facilities) (AFACAJAJ)

Keywords

• Rural broadband services
• Rural mobile plans
• Smart farm connectivity
• Asset tracking solutions
• Satellite text messaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Timaru

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Mobile Plans: Monthly recurring subscription revenue from mobile plans including endless data options with voice and TXT allowances. Companion plans allow adding family members for additional monthly fees.
2. Broadband Services: Monthly recurring revenue from broadband plans including Rural Wireless, Urban Wireless, Fibre, ADSL, VDSL, and Multi-site plans with various data allowances.
3. Asset Management IoT: Monthly subscription revenue from IoT asset tracking services with device purchase (Oyster 3 device at $219) plus monthly plans (Locate $6, Move $10, Track $11 per device).
4. Installation & Equipment: One-time fees for equipment (wireless modems $299-$629) and installation services (standard $199, complex $350). Postage and handling fees apply.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Farmside is a New Zealand rural telecommunications provider delivering broadband (Rural Wireless, Urban Wireless, Fibre, ADSL, VDSL, Multi-Site), mobile plans, IoT asset tracking, and smart farm connectivity solutions. Services are backed by the One NZ mobile network, including satellite TXT via SpaceX Starlink for coverage across approximately 40% of New Zealand's land mass not served by traditional cell towers. The company operates from its Timaru headquarters serving rural and provincial New Zealand.

Product overview

Farmside is a New Zealand telecommunications provider specialising in rural connectivity, offering a comprehensive portfolio of broadband, mobile, and smart farm solutions. The core offering comprises multiple broadband technologies (Rural Wireless, Urban Wireless, ADSL, VDSL, Fibre via Chorus and other LFCs, Multi-Site plans), mobile services (standard plans, Companion group plans, Data Only plans, Mobile Roaming), and IoT/asset management (Oyster 3 Asset Tracker with Locate/Move/Track subscription tiers). A distinctive capability is the SpaceX Satellite TXT service (powered by Starlink) enabling satellite-based text messaging in areas without cell coverage. Additional services include Digital Voice (VoIP), email (Webmail), and the MyFarmside self-service customer portal. The company is 100% owned by One NZ and serves rural and provincial New Zealand from its Timaru headquarters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rural Wireless Broadband Wireless broadband plans designed for rural New Zealand, providing internet connectivity where traditional wired services are unavailable. Plans start from $95.99/month with unlimited data option available at $119/month. Targeted at rural households and farms needing reliable internet.
• Urban Wireless Broadband Wireless broadband plans for urban areas offering high-speed connectivity using mobile network technology. Targeted at urban residential customers using the same One NZ mobile network.
• Multi-Site Plans Broadband plans enabling customers to connect multiple sites under a single convenient monthly account, with savings starting at $20/month. Targeted at farms and businesses with multiple locations.
• ADSL Broadband Asymmetric digital subscriber line broadband service providing internet over existing copper telephone lines for rural and provincial customers.
• VDSL Broadband Very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line offering faster broadband speeds than ADSL over copper lines for rural and provincial customers.
• Fibre Chorus Broadband Fibre optic internet delivered via Chorus network infrastructure, providing high-speed broadband connectivity across New Zealand.
• Fibre Non-Chorus Broadband Fibre internet delivered via alternative local fibre companies such as Northpower Fibre, Enable Networks, and Tuatahi Fibre, expanding fibre coverage across New Zealand.
• Mobile Plans Mobile phone plans starting from $40/month, providing voice, TXT, and data services on the One NZ network with a rural coverage focus. Plans include endless data options, regular ($60) and premium ($70) tiers.
• Data Only Plans Mobile plans providing data-only connectivity for tablets and devices without voice calling needs. Targeted at customers needing mobile data for tablets and connected devices.
• Mobile Roaming International roaming service enabling Farmside mobile customers to use their service while traveling overseas, with daily roaming options available. Targeted at rural customers traveling internationally.
• Asset Tracker (Oyster 3) GPS-based asset tracking device and management service for tracking, monitoring, and optimising valuable assets such as farm equipment. The Oyster 3 device costs $219 with subscription plans from $6-$11/month per device (Locate, Move, or Track tiers). Includes the Asset Management Platform for desktop, tablet, and mobile app access.
• Smart Farm Solutions Connectivity solutions specifically designed for agricultural operations, combining broadband, mobile, and asset tracking for farm productivity. Targeted at farmers seeking integrated smart farm connectivity.
• SpaceX Satellite TXT Satellite-powered TXT messaging service using SpaceX Starlink Direct to Mobile technology, enabling text communication where traditional cell towers do not reach. Available at no extra cost on eligible Farmside Mobile plans and phones. Targeted at rural customers needing safety and emergency communications in coverage gaps.
• Digital Voice (VoIP) Digital phone service delivered over broadband using Voice over Internet Protocol technology, providing calling over compatible Farmside broadband services. Targeted at customers needing voice calling as part of their broadband package.
• Webmail Email Service Email service providing @farmside.co.nz email addresses with 1GB storage, available for $5/month with active broadband/mobile service or $15/month standalone. Targeted at customers needing email with their Farmside connectivity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million TXT messages sent via satellite network
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• One NZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmside is 100% owned by One NZ (formerly Vodafone New Zealand). This partnership provides the network infrastructure backbone for Farmside's mobile and broadband services, including access to the One NZ Satellite TXT service using SpaceX Starlink technology for rural coverage.
• BNZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZero-rated data partnership where Farmside customers can access BNZ online banking without consuming their data allowance. BNZ has a team of agri and farming specialists serving rural communities.
• WestpacminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZero-rated data partnership enabling Farmside customers to use Westpac banking services without data cap impact. Westpac has dedicated agribusiness managers for farming communities.
• MYOBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZero-rated data partnership for MYOB accounting and payroll software. MYOB is the largest provider of accounting and payroll software to the rural sector in New Zealand.
• FiguredminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZero-rated data partnership for Figured farm financial management platform. Figured provides cloud-based financial planning connected to Xero for farm business management.
• FarmlandscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBilling partner allowing Farmside customers to charge their telecommunications services to their Farmlands supply account. Farmlands is a major agricultural cooperative in New Zealand.
• Farm SourcecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBilling partner associated with Fonterra, allowing Farmside customers to consolidate telecommunications charges with their farm supply account.
• PGG WrightsoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBilling partner enabling Farmside customers to charge telecommunications services to their PGG Wrightson account. PGG Wrightson is a major rural services supplier.
• RuralCocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBilling partner allowing Farmside customers to consolidate rural telecommunications charges with their RuralCo supply account.
• SpaceX/StarlinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership through One NZ for satellite connectivity. Uses SpaceX Starlink Direct to Mobile technology enabling TXT messaging via satellite for rural coverage where traditional cell towers don't reach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wireless Nation: Wireless Nation is a NZ-based ISP specializing in rural and remote connectivity, offering wireless broadband, 4G/5G, and satellite solutions. It is the closest direct peer to Farmside with overlapping rural wireless broadband offerings and similar target market.
• MyRepublic New Zealand: MyRepublic is a NZ ISP offering fibre and broadband services including rural plans. It is a direct peer in the NZ broadband market, though with less rural specialization than Farmside.
• Bigpipe: Bigpipe is a NZ broadband provider offering fibre and VDSL services. While primarily urban-focused, it represents an alternative for customers considering switching from rural wireless to fibre as NZ fibre rollout progresses.
• NOW NZ (Vocus): NOW NZ (Vocus) is a NZ broadband provider offering fibre and broadband services. It is a direct peer in NZ broadband, particularly competing as fibre becomes available in provincial and rural areas.
• Orcon (Slingshot/Voyager): Orcon is a NZ ISP offering broadband and mobile services through the 2degrees network. It is a direct peer in the NZ broadband market, competing for the same customer wallet share in rural and provincial areas.

Broad incumbents

• Spark New Zealand: Spark is NZ's largest telco offering mobile, broadband, and cloud services across urban and rural NZ. It is a broad incumbent competitor to Farmside with overlapping rural wireless broadband and mobile products, but unlike Farmside it serves all of NZ including urban markets.
• 2degrees: 2degrees is NZ's third mobile network operator offering mobile, broadband, and business services. It competes in rural NZ with wireless broadband offerings and represents a direct alternative for customers evaluating rural mobile and broadband providers.
• One New Zealand (One NZ): One NZ (formerly Vodafone NZ) is Farmside's parent company and the second-largest mobile operator in NZ. It provides the underlying network infrastructure that Farmside resells, and competes in the same rural customer segment through its own brand at times.

Others

• Chorus NZ: Chorus is NZ's largest wholesale telecommunications infrastructure provider, owning most of the country's fibre and copper networks. Farmside resells Chorus fibre to its customers, making Chorus an infrastructure enabler and upstream supplier rather than a direct customer-facing peer.

Emerging players

• Starlink (SpaceX): Starlink provides satellite-based broadband globally, including NZ. It is both a partner (via One NZ Satellite TXT) and a direct competitor to Farmside's Rural Wireless Broadband in the rural customer segment, and represents a disruptive threat as capacity scales.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/FarmsideNZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/FarmsideNZ
• Instagraminstagram.com/farmsidenz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Farmside