Walker Wireless and Vodafone formalise strategic relationship
Walker Wireless Ltd and Vodafone New Zealand Ltd have formalised their strategic relationship with the signing of
agreements under which Vodafone will become a key marketing and distribution channel for the Walker Wireless broadband
service.
This is a further development in the relationship that began late last year when the two companies jointly funded and
managed a $6 million trial of consumer and business high speed wireless services in Auckland.
Bob Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Walker Wireless, said the formalising of the strategic relationship with Vodafone
is a significant milestone for the company.
“With the trial now complete and successful, this alliance will enable us to roll out broadband wireless technology that
will revolutionise the way people in New Zealand live and work, by freeing them from the limitations of fixed wire
connections.”
Tim Miles, Managing Director of Vodafone, said the agreements are an important step towards offering customers even
greater choices in the mobile and wireless space.
Mr Smith said the two companies’ mobile and broadband technologies were highly complementary and represented the future
of personal and business communications. We are pleased to be working with a powerful company like Vodafone to make this
happen.
“Once a region has coverage, a customer will be able to purchase a palm-sized modem in a Vodafone store and install it
in a matter of minutes, giving them access to a fast, reliable, cost-effective broadband network.
“This is already possible in some parts of Auckland and our immediate priority is to further develop our Auckland
coverage and our regional sites in Southland, Wairarapa and Northland that are being progressed under the Government’s
Project Probe initiative.”
The company’s wireless broadband service will be launched under a new brand name by the end of September.