Vodafone New Zealand to offer mobile broadband choices
Auckland, 13 March 2006 --Vodafone is to offer New Zealanders mobile broadband solutions, confirming today that it will
launch 3G Broadband by the end of the year.
“3G Broadband opens up a new dimension of fast and simple working and harnesses the advantages of mobility, taking
internet access in New Zealand to a whole new level,” says Vodafone New Zealand CEO Russell Stanners.
“Vodafone brought competition to the New Zealand market – we did it with mobile phones and we can do it with 3G
broadband.”
The new service will be offered on Vodafone’s 3G mobile network. With 3G Broadband customers will benefit from initial
download data speeds up to 4-5 times faster than currently available, offering for the first time a mobile experience
similar to current standard DSL rates.*
Stanners says that reducing the dependency on fixed lines for broadband will allow New Zealand businesses to transform
themselves.
“By increasing their productivity, reducing their downtime, cutting costs and improving their efficiency, businesses
will be able to amplify their productivity and make a greater contribution to our economic growth.”
Vodafone has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its 3G network to deliver New Zealand-first mobile
services like video calling to customers. Stanners says the launch of 3G Broadband in New Zealand is another step
towards providing customers with a true mobile broadband experience, whether at home or roaming on Vodafone’s
international network.
“The launch of our 3G network in 2005, while a significant milestone, signalled the start of a whole new mobile journey.
3G Broadband has always been an option for us as it is the natural evolution of our technology roadmap.”
Stanners says 3G broadband is a real solution for customers’ broadband needs. “3G Broadband will offer customers using
the Vodafone network faster speeds and the ability to transfer and share larger files,” he says.
“Our research here in New Zealand confirms that 3G Broadband can meet the real customer needs of 60%-80% of all internet
users - and it provides the added benefit of mobility. Around 3.8 million mobile users in New Zealand need broadband
solutions, as much, if not more than 1.4 million households!”
Vodafone New Zealand has been running 3G Broadband laboratory trials for the past six months. Details about specific 3G
Broadband products and services, pricing or intended roll-out plan are currently not being made available.
The company is keen to roll out 3G Broadband to as many customers as possible, as quickly as possible, Stanners says.
ENDS