Vodafone Digital In Waikato, Boosts Auck. Coverage

Vodaphone Digital Boost In Time For Cup

GSM digital coverage has been significantly boosted in Auckland as part of Vodafone New Zealand Ltd's extension of its mobile network throughout the country. A total of eight sites have been added to the region since April.

Vodafone's Managing Director John Rohan says the decision to boost coverage in Auckland was good news for the upcoming America's Cup challenge starting later this year.

"We are adding a special site at the Viaduct Basin in preparation for the event," says Mr Rohan.

As well as the Cup challenge, Vodafone is also preparing for the surge of international GSM digital travellers during APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation).

A special `in-building' site for Auckland Airport's domestic and international terminals has been added to improve coverage.

"With the inevitable increase in passenger numbers, Vodafone want to ensure that when people disembark, they can make a mobile call straight away."

"Mobile telephony is the future of communications. Fixed lines are dying. And the future of mobile is digital - GSM digital." "The decision to boost coverage in this area reflects Auckland's tradition as a city at the forefront of future technology," says Mr Rohan.

Additional sites have also been constructed in Parnell, Tamaki Drive, the southern end of the Domain, Te Atatu North Peninsula and also in Unitec's Mt Albert campus.

The coverage enhancement in Auckland is part of Vodafone's $200 million investment in its network over the next two years.

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Waikato Goes Digital

Waikato is going digital for the next century, thanks to Vodafone. The towns of Tirau and Putaruru now have their own sites, and coverage is being extended with the addition of another site in the Hamilton suburb of Dinsdale.

Vodafone New Zealand Ltd's Managing Director John Rohan says the decision to boost coverage in the Waikato reflects the population and economic growth the Waikato has experienced in recent years.

"Waikato is the main trunk line to Auckland and is used by travellers every day. In this respect, it has always been a priority of ours to ensure the best possible coverage in this area," says Mr Rohan.

"Fixed lines are dying and the future of mobile is digital. Soon almost everyone will have a mobile phone in their pocket, and Vodafone can assure users that coverage will not be an issue.

"Bringing digital to the Waikato means that residents and travellers will benefit from GSM digital's unsurpassed clarity and security.

"With GSM you can transmit data in digital form, forward faxes, receive text messages and customise your mobile phone," says Mr Rohan.

Mr Rohan says extending coverage in the Waikato is part of Vodafone's 200 million investment in its network over the next two years.

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Bush Tucker And Mobile Phones

1999 promises to be the year of gourmet bush tucker and mobile phones for Hokitika, with Vodafone New Zealand Ltd enhancing its international GSM digital mobile network to the town.

Vodafone's Managing Director John Rohan says the decision to install a cellsite is good news for Hokitika's annual Wild Foods Festival.

"The festival is a huge event, attracting crowds of 15,000 people or more. Next year, visitors to Hokitika will be able to use their GSM digital phones from the festival."

"Mobile telephony is the future of communications. Fixed lines are dying. And the future of mobile is digital - GSM digital."

"We're aiming for a future where almost everyone in Hokitika will have a mobile phone in their pocket, or purse."

Hokitika will benefit from GSM digital's unsurpassed clarity and security. With GSM you can transmit data in digital form, forward faxes, receive text messages and customise your mobile phone," says Mr Rohan.

Mr Rohan says giving coverage to Hokitika is part of Vodafone's $200 million investment in its network over the next two years. "Let me assure you that coverage will never be an issue for the network again. Vodafone will make sure all New Zealanders can enjoy the benefits of worldclass GSM coverage, whether they are from Hamilton, Hokitika or Havelock North," he says.

"Our aim is to make sure that nearly every Kiwi can have, and can afford to use, a mobile phone. We will do this by providing the best mobile packages around, and through the extension of GSM."

About Vodafone Vodafone New Zealand Ltd is part of Vodafone-AirTouch Plc, a worldwide company that has a proportionate customer base of 29 million network customers.

Vodafone-AirTouch is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company with interests in 23 countries internationally. Vodafone New Zealand now has well in excess of 200,000 customers on its fully digital network and provides coverage to over 95% of the population.

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