CLEAR And VODAFONE Announce Alliance

Tuesday, 8 February 2000

CLEAR Communications and VODAFONE announce alliance

In a joint statement today, VODAFONE New Zealand and CLEAR Communications announced an alliance which enables CLEAR to offer VODAFONE mobile services to its customers.

The alliance between the two major telecommunication companies means CLEAR’s existing and future customers will enjoy the benefits of VODAFONE’s fully digital network. The VODAFONE mobile service complements CLEAR’s existing range of one-stop-shop telecommunication solutions, such as data, internet, business local service, tolls, call centre and integration services.

“VODAFONE and CLEAR, which both offer ‘best of the breed’ digital communication solutions, see the potential that this logical alliance holds for the New Zealand market,” says CLEAR Chief Executive Tim Cullinane.

“I welcome CLEAR’s customers to our exciting world of mobile communications. I know they are going to enjoy the features and benefits offered by VODAFONE,” says VODAFONE Managing Director John Rohan.

Customers who choose to access VODAFONE’s mobile service through CLEAR will be able to choose from any of VODAFONE’s contract plans and enhanced services it provides (such as callerID, text messaging, autoroaming). CLEAR customers will receive one simple bill for all the services they use.

Mr Cullinane says CLEAR customers will also have access to special features such as Mobile Messaging, which enables mobile phone customers to view incoming emails on their handset. This feature is integrated with CLEAR Net, which makes CLEAR the only provider to offer one point of contact for mobile email.

And joining VODAFONE’s network through CLEAR is as easy as visiting CLEAR’s web site. CLEAR has launched a new e-commerce web site to sell and provision VODAFONE’s mobile service through a secure internet connection.

Mr Rohan says the alliance will work to bring innovation to the market. “With VODAFONE’s international credentials as part of the largest mobile telecommunications company in the world, New Zealanders can expect that VODAFONE will continue to createdifferent ways to grow the market in this country.

“This means VODAFONE will continue to look for distribution opportunities, such as our alliance with CLEAR, and together we will introduce new services and features which will make it easy for New Zealanders to be truly mobile,” says Mr Rohan.

Mr Cullinane says VODAFONE’s mobile service positions CLEAR to take advantage of converging technologies and confirms its leadership in providing online services to businesses.

The next 12 months will see CLEAR linking ecommerce and internet messaging with mobile technologies. Developments in the pipeline include advanced message management and tailored news services.

“Integrating voice and data services on CLEAR’s network with VODAFONE’s mobile technology will create some exciting opportunities for our customers,” says Mr Cullinane.

CLEAR expects strong interest from their existing and new business customers.

The sales web site is at at www.clear.co.nz.. Customers can use the same toll free numbers for all sales and service, giving them a one-stop shop for all their telecommunication needs. Business customers should call toll free 0508 555 500 and residential customers 0508 888 800.

About VODAFONE

VODAFONE New Zealand Ltd is part of Vodafone AirTouch Plc, the world’s largest mobile telecommunications company with more than 35 million customers, excluding paging customers. The company has interests in 24 countries over five continents.

VODAFONE New Zealand now has in excess of 397,000 customers on its fully digital network and provides coverage to over 96% of the population.

About CLEAR

CLEAR Communications is one of New Zealand’s leading communications companies, offering a range of business solutions including local service, tolls, data, internet, call centre and integration services. CLEAR is wholly-owned by BT, a world leader in telecommunications.

CLEAR recently announced a three-year network extension project, the first stage of which is being funded by a $120 million cash injection from BT.

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