MEDIA RELEASE
31 March 2005

Council gives go ahead for 3G mobile

Vodafone NZ Limited (Vodafone) was given the go ahead to install third generation (3G) mobile technology equipment on 19 council owned roadside sites throughout the city by Auckland City Council at its meeting this evening.

Vodafone will use the sites to erect antennae and equipment cabinets which are part of Vodafone’s 3G mobile network roll-out.

The network will provide broadband cell phone coverage across most areas of Auckland city allowing businesses and residents to access extended internet functionality via their cell phones.

“We recognise that 3G mobile technology is going to be a key component in the country’s telecommunications infrastructure,” said Mayor Dick Hubbard.

“We want to be able to give businesses and other technology consumers in Auckland the benefits of this exciting development.”

Other cities in the Auckland region and Wellington have approved the use of sites for the installation of network equipment. Vodafone intends to launch in July this year.

“We realise that although this technology is essential for Auckland city, we need to take a sustainable approach to ensure that the equipment has minimal effects on the environment,” said Mr Hubbard.

“We are going to ensure that the visual impact of the equipment is minimised through its colour, planting around the equipment or even turning the equipment boxes into canvases for visual arts.”

The leases on the sites will also include require that smaller equipment be installed when this becomes available in the future.

Auckland City reviewed a number of proposed sites of which one was declined and two are still under review.

About 80 other Vodafone sites within the city will be located on commercial buildings or private land.

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