Telecom Brings World’s Best Mobile To NZ

Telecom Brings World’s Best Mobile To NZ

Telecom today announced it will transform New Zealand’s mobile landscape by June 2009, providing customers with access to the most advanced, nationwide, 3G mobile services available and further underlining the company’s commitment to investing in New Zealand.

“It’s simple – today we’re announcing New Zealand’s best mobile network,” said Telecom CEO Paul Reynolds.

“New Zealanders are demanding fast, ubiquitous and future-ready mobile technology at their fingertips – and with this advancement they will get it.

“Telecom’s new mobile network will be superior on every level: the best nationwide coverage, the fastest internet on your mobile, a wide range of world-leading handsets, as well as better content, music and business applications.”

The technology choices revealed today will extend 3G service and fast mobile broadband to 97% of New Zealanders, approximately a year in advance of Telecom’s main competitor’s plans.

“The possibilities are endless: bidding on an online auction from your bach at Raglan; downloading music on a chairlift at Mt Ruapehu; video calling from Hokitika to a mate in Christchurch; or instant email on your mobile while on the move in a small town or big city, anywhere in New Zealand,” said Dr Reynolds.

The investment announced today amounts to more than half a billion dollars and involves the nationwide rollout of WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology, using a frequency of 850MHz (Mega Hertz).

“The W850 technology is the smartest choice for New Zealand’s unique geography and conditions,” said Dr Reynolds.

In addition, Telecom has committed to deploying HSPA+ (Evolved High Speed Packet Access), a leading-edge technology offering even higher broadband speeds, helping to ‘future-proof’ services for Telecom mobile customers.

“We are in world-class company with our technology choice. Over the past year a growing number of leading mobile providers internationally have launched WCDMA mobile networks at 850MHz, including AT&T in the United States and Telstra in Australia.

“With this technology Telecom will provide customers with global roaming superior to that of our competitors: our handsets will work on more than 430 networks in over 170 destinations worldwide for voice and texting, and over 110 destinations for internet data.

“Telecom customers visiting Australia will get service and coverage second-to-none, unmatched by any other New Zealand provider. This is the destination most visited by New Zealanders on business and on holiday, and Telecom mobile customers will have a service which will operate uniquely well on the most widely available Australian network,” said Dr Reynolds.

Telecom is investing $574 million in its new W850 network over the next two years. The benefits include competitive advantage, operational efficiencies and reduced long-run capital spending which the enhanced network proposition will deliver.

Overall, Telecom now anticipates spending $2.4 billion on capital expenditure over the next two financial years. This includes the investment already being made in world-class fixed line broadband services and a next generation network.

“These are huge, ongoing investments in New Zealand’s communications infrastructure, and underscore our commitment as a New Zealand company to bring the best quality services in the world to Kiwi homes and businesses,” said Dr Reynolds.

Telecom’s W850 network will have a phased launch from November with the start of inbound roaming services, as well as a pilot programme focused on ensuring a best-in-class customer experience. There will be a full launch of services by June 2009.

Telecom will ensure that existing and new customers who re-sign or join Telecom in the coming months will be some of the first to enjoy our new mobile services. We have offers in place to make it easy, and attractive, for these customers. Gen-i clients will be contacted by their client manager to discuss their migration options to the new mobile network.

Dr Reynolds said that Telecom was also working on an offer aimed at the company’s retail shareholders.

ENDS

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