New era in broadband for New Zealand

Media Release
22 September 2008

New era in broadband for New Zealand

Slingshot and Vodafone are delighted to announce they have signed a partnership deal to give Slingshot wholesale access to Vodafone’s Red Network.

For the first time in New Zealand, the broadband wholesale market is finally able to deliver more than simple resale of the incumbent’s network.

Slingshot has been testing the service over the last couple of months with a view to launching a commercial fixed-line broadband service by November this year.

Slingshot’s General Manager, Mark Callander says, this partnership will enable Slingshot to develop new voice and broadband solutions that will challenge traditional models, provide consumers with more choice and give the market a good shake up. By managing access directly to the home or business, for the first time we’re able to develop truly differentiated services at affordable prices
Vodafone’s GM of Wholesale, Steve Rieger, says Vodafone is delivering competition to a corner of the market that has never seen it before.

“ISPs in New Zealand have always faced a simple choice – either resell the incumbent’s products or build their own network. Unbundling means Vodafone is able to build its own fixed-line network and now we’ve taken it to another level, by wholesaling the service to Slingshot. Vodafone is delivering on the promise to increase competition and that can only be a good thing for consumers.”

Vodafone has unbundled 34 exchanges in Auckland already and plans to unbundle a total of 40 by the end of 2008. From there the company will look at expanding its competitive market into other main centres.

“Vodafone has the largest unbundled footprint in New Zealand and we intend to aggressively market it to both consumers and to wholesale customers who want a competitive alternative in the broadband market,” says Rieger.

ENDS

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