8 Networks has signed a two-year partnership with the Perth Scorchers, becoming the club's Official Telecommunications, Mobile & Internet Partner.
The deal is 8 Networks' first sporting partnership. The company sells 5G SIM-only mobile plans on the Telstra Wholesale Mobile Network and National Broadband Network home internet services in Australia.
For the Scorchers, the arrangement adds a telco brand to the club's commercial roster ahead of the summer Big Bash period. For 8 Networks, it provides access to one of the country's best-known cricket brands and a way to reach members and supporters during the Women's Big Bash League and Big Bash League seasons.
8 Networks was founded to simplify mobile and internet services for Australian consumers. Its offers include no lock-in contracts, no set-up fees and no surcharges, while customer support is provided through a concierge team available by phone or WhatsApp.
The partnership also has a regional angle, with both organisations pointing to their Western Australian identity as part of the fit between the brand and the club.
Perth Scorchers General Manager Kade Harvey said the club saw a close alignment with the company's approach and local base.
"We're delighted to welcome 8 Networks to the Scorchers family ahead of what promises to be an exciting WBBL season," Harvey said.
"As a proudly Western Australian organisation, 8 Networks shares our commitment to community, innovation and delivering exceptional experiences for people across the state.
"We look forward to working together over the next two years."
The Scorchers are one of the most successful teams in Big Bash cricket, and that record was central to 8 Networks' decision to enter the partnership. The company's founders described the agreement as a brand-building move tied to a club with a large and engaged audience.
"We went straight to the champions," said Tayyab Qaiser, co-founder of 8 Networks.
"The Scorchers are the most successful club in Big Bash history, and every summer they bring Aussies together. Keeping people connected is what we do, so it's a natural fit.
"We're proud to back a club with such a passionate fan base."
That focus on support and simplicity was echoed by co-founder Treesha Sangha, who linked the agreement to the company's effort to stand out in a market dominated by larger carriers.
"The big telcos made phone and internet complicated. We set out to make it simple," Sangha said.
"Like the Scorchers, we compete with the biggest names in the game, and we do it by putting our customers first, with concierge support and a straightforward experience every step of the way.
"When our customers need help, they get a real person, not a call centre queue. That's the experience we can't wait to share with Scorchers fans this summer."
Sports sponsorships have become a common route for challenger telecoms and internet providers seeking broader consumer awareness without relying solely on price competition. Cricket, in particular, offers repeated exposure through a long domestic season, strong television audiences and a family-friendly fan base that overlaps with household spending decisions on broadband and mobile plans.
In this case, 8 Networks is using the Scorchers platform to raise awareness among consumers in Western Australia and beyond. The company plans to connect with supporters on the ground and online during the WBBL and BBL seasons, combining brand exposure with direct consumer outreach.
The deal also reflects a wider pattern in Australian sport, where teams are increasingly looking beyond traditional banking and automotive sponsors for commercial growth. Telecommunications and digital service providers have become more active as clubs seek partners that can support fan engagement across physical venues and online channels.
For 8 Networks, the challenge will be turning recognition into customer growth in a competitive sector where larger incumbents still dominate distribution, advertising and bundled service offers. The company is presenting itself as a simpler alternative built around direct support and uncomplicated pricing.