Mobiles Soon to Be Used as Home Phones

VODAFONE MEDIA RELEASE

Mobiles Soon to Be Used as Home Phones After Commission Gives Green Light to Local Service

28 September, 2006

Vodafone customers are one step closer to being able to use their mobile as a home phone after the Commerce Commission today released its final local service determination.

The determination means Vodafone can now seek a local interconnection agreement with Telecom.

Vodafone General Manager Commercial Development Tom Chignell says
today’s announcement is the first step in Vodafone offering customers a new local service.

“This is great news for customers as it will allow local numbers (eg. 04 123 xxxx) to be used on mobile handsets. Customers will then be able to make or take calls on this number using their mobile within a defined home or office zone.

“Customers will only need one phone whether they are at home or out and about,” he says.

Mr Chignell says today’s determination is another step along the path to greater competition in telecommunications and, specifically, in the local calling market.

“Vodafone will now be able to compete with fixed line operators, increasing competition and giving New Zealanders more choice and flexibility.”

Mr Chignell says Vodafone’s strategy is to meet the total telecommunications needs of its customers.

“This determination on local service, along with our new 3G broadband service, will allow us to do that. Right now, we are the leaders in mobile, but we only have 20% share of the total telecommunications market.”

Vodafone expects to launch its local service offering in 2007.

ENDS

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