Telecom New Zealand will be launching new 4G services utilizing spectrum in the 700 MHz, acquired in a recent Government Auction. The service, due to be in the market in late August follows the earlier launch of 4G services utilizing the spectrum in the 1800 MHz range. Since the first launch of 4G services in the 1800 MHz in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in November last year, Telecom has rapidly expanded its 4G services to other parts of New Zealand.
Based on a statement from Telecom, the use of the 700 MHz spectrum will enable more extensive and rapid rollout of 4G mobile broadband services in less densely populated and rural areas. Telecom said that it will have 11 cell sites on 700 MHz across the Waikato region including central Hamilton, Morrisonville and surrounding areas with further expansions following suit especially across places with high rural demand for mobile broadband services.
To address device compatibility, Telecom said that it will initially offer 10 devices that are 700 MHz compatible and will expand the choices by working with leading mobile manufacturers.
According to Telecom, New Zealand is the first countries in the world to clear and reallocate a portion of the 700 MHz band (otherwise known as the Digital Dividend spectrum) to support mobile broadband usage and with its new 4G rollout on the spectrum, Telecom will have a leading data network integrating 3G, 4G, WiFi, ADSL, VDSL and Fibre, backed up by a nationwide optical transport network.
“We invested $158 million in the government auction, more than double any of our competitors, to acquire more 700 MHz spectrum than any other operator. This will provide significant benefits to customers in terms of the potential speed and capacity of our mobile broadband services. The more of this 700MHz spectrum an operator has, the faster the speeds it will be capable of offering and the more data it can carry."
- Chief Operating Officer David Havercroft
