Telecom New Zealand lighting up 3G network on May 13
It's not terribly often that a carrier beats a planned launch date for a major product -- let alone an entire new network -- so Telecom New Zealand's XT has already earned a special place in our hearts. Originally settling on a June go-live window, Telecom has now bumped up the date to May 13 midway through a NZ$574 million (about $325.5 million) investment to build out 3G services, which includes face time by Top Gear personality Richard Hammond (pictured) -- though they must be pretty far along in that investment effort, considering the CEO's claim that the entire country will be live on day one. Launch devices will include Samsung's venerable F480, paired up with planned July availability for the 8.1 megapixel W995 from Sony Ericsson. Look out, Vodafone -- these guys look like they mean business.[Thanks, Ray]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Josh G @ Apr 27th 2009 7:27PM
Thank Christ!
There will finally be some competition. Compared to Australia, NZ gets... well, "Rogered" to borrow a phrase from the Canadians!
Here's hoping it'll push prices down across the country.
And of course they'll cover the entire country on day 1: it's not a big country ;)
I was impressed with Vodafones coverage when I was there earlier this year visiting family, but I wasn't impressed with the prices. A 2 year agreement, with little to no credit included [you get what you pay for?] AND you have to pay for the phone upfront?
Unheard of here in Aus.
ALBGunner04 @ Apr 27th 2009 10:50PM
Pfft...2 year contract? That's a joke to Canadians. 3 years industry standard :'( Brings a tear to my eyes when I think about it to tell you the truth.
Roger Alford @ Apr 27th 2009 7:29PM
Wait...
Lighting up a 3G network?
Am I missing something? The big 3 in the USA are already working on 4G, and one has a 4G network partially lit already. T-Mobile has a 3G network well in play as well...
So my question is.... Why the hell is New Zealand so far behind and JUST NOW lighting up a 3G network?
PhilR8 @ Apr 27th 2009 8:56PM
Vodafone has a 3G network up, and Telecom has had a 3G CDMA network up and running for several years. Anecdotal evidence also shows the standard GSM vs CDMA argument (ie cool phones and crappy network vs crappy phones and good network) is also evident in NZ:
http://voices.realestate.co.nz/ptchev/2009/04/24/xt-network-is-the-new-telecom-mobile-brand/
Jamar @ Apr 30th 2009 12:17AM
I always wondered about that- why are Japan and Korea the only countries to get decent CDMA phones?
Vinnie @ Apr 27th 2009 9:11PM
is that Richard Hammond?
mvj7997 @ Apr 27th 2009 11:54PM
that's what i was thinking. what does Hamster have to do with mobile networks in New Zealand?
grape2043 @ Apr 27th 2009 11:54PM
thats what i said. isn't that the kid from Jeremy's show?
slamEVIL @ Apr 28th 2009 1:04AM
top gear ftw!
richie9x @ Apr 27th 2009 9:36PM
As PhilR8 said this is Telecom's second 3G network. They already have an existing 3G CDMA network. This is a new UTMS network which will ultimately replace the CDMA network.
Main reason for this is they are missing out on global roaming customers coming to NZ. As most of them have are GSM or UTMS phones so will have to use Vodafone's network.
TCNZ and Vodafone have roughly a 50:50 share of NZ's cellphone market. So is not going to make much difference to NZers. I don't expect any drop in prices. Just TCNZ's customers will have more phones to choose from.
The third player in NZ market, TelstraClear, has just started their own network about 6 months ago. While before they use to just resell Vodafone's services. That more than anything should bring a bit more competition when there network expands.
Ian McDonald @ Apr 27th 2009 10:31PM
TelstraClear haven't got their own network - they are using Telecom's network.
There will be a third mobile communication player soon hopefully - NZ Communications - they are announcing more on May 11th.
Ian McDonald @ Apr 27th 2009 10:33PM
They are only early for this launch date. Original launch date was November 2008 but they missed this by a country mile... In their defence though they went for an upgraded solution so that the whole network was 3G where it was only going to be partially before that.