This morning, budding third mobile network operator NZ Comms revealed its new name: Two Degrees Mobile Ltd, trading as 2 Degrees. Problem: a central Otago wine maker has been called Two Degrees since 2003.

Two Degrees, the vineyard, has not registered its name with the Companies Office, but does already have dibs on the 2degrees.co.nz and twodegrees.co.nz web domains, which vineyard co-founder Diana Somerville has registered through until 2012.

Ms Somerville tells NBR that Two Degrees - the mobile phone company - did approach her and her partner ahead of this morning’s brand announcement.

The wine maker says her drop is available through specialist wine shops in Auckland, Wellington and Wanaka, and via email orders through the Two Degrees website.

Ms Somerville says she is confident the two companies can reach an amicable agreement over their no-degrees-of-separation - or even what she describes as a “symbiotic relationship”.

NBR put this phrase to Two Degrees Mobile corporate communications manager Bryony Hillness, inquiring if “symbiotic relationship” could mean a bottle of Two Degrees pinot noir with every new mobile phone account.

Afterall, while 3G service can be patchy, a Central Otago pinot noir always finds a good reception.

Ms Hillness would not confirm or deny, but did say she thought Two Degrees - the winery - would do well out of exposure generated by the coincidence.

On a more pedestrian level, the two companies’ agreement is supposed to see a link to Two Degrees Mobile appear on the website of Two Degrees - the wine company - but so far none has appeared.

In a curious aside, all Two Degrees Mobile employees have a little personal statement - or love mark, if you will - printed on their business cards. One staffer’s reads “I love building retaining walls”.

Ms Hillness goes for “I love Burgerfuel in Parnell” - explaining to NBR that she loves the product, and also happens to own the Burgerfuel franchise in question.