eXDee: Don't you mean sprint evdo phones? I thought verizon didn't use cdma?

TELECOM CONFIRMS SERVICE CLOSURE TIMINGS FOR CDMA NETWORK

Telecom today confirmed the closure dates for two services on its CDMA mobile network, which is set for final closure mid-2012.

With the growth and expansion of XT services Telecom will close its CDMA-based WorldMode Roaming service on 28 October 2010 and will close its domestic CDMA 3G data network, known as EVDO on 30 November 2010.

“The XT Network offers our customers a considerably better experience while both roaming overseas and using mobile broadband here in NZ.  And this has resulted in many customers of these services moving over to XT already,” says Telecom Head of Network Operations, Gemma Roper.

“As more customers continue to choose XT, and the service surpasses what is available on our earlier network, we are informing customers that we plan to close the CDMA network mid-2012, with the WorldMode and EVDO service closures to precede this.”

Telecom and Gen-i are contacting customers who have used these two services recently with upgrade and switching recommendations to ensure their mobile service is transitioned smoothly.

“We have a number of offers to assist these customers with the move to XT, and we are directly contacting all customers that will be impacted by the service closures to inform them of their options,” says Roper.

WorldMode

The WorldMode Roaming service enabled customers with a WorldMode capable CDMA device to roam to a select number of destinations.

The XT Network provides a considerably better global roaming service for customers. XT customers can use their mobile in 70 more destinations around the world when compared with CDMA; the service is more consistent and user friendly and also delivers access to more services while abroad.

“The smooth roaming service on XT, coupled with the relatively low number of WorldMode customers that have used their device overseas recently, has led us to make the decision to close this service on CDMA,” says Roper.

WorldMode customers will continue to be able to use their phone as normal in New Zealand until the CDMA network is closed mid-2012, however they will no longer work in most overseas destinations*.

EVDO

The CDMA EVDO data service enabled customers to access the internet and email from their mobile phone or data card at a fast rate.

“As recent media reports have attested, the data service on XT is considerably more advanced and offers a faster mobile broadband experience in more places compared to CDMA,” says Roper.

EVDO customers will continue to be able to use data on CDMA however, they will not experience mobile broadband speeds.

Telecom remains committed to supporting the CDMA network for calling and text services until mid-2012.

*WorldMode phones will continue to roam in a limited numbers of countries. Additional information on WorldMode roaming:

CDMA roaming will still be available in the following destinations:
Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Guam, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Macau, Saipan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.
Both Worldmode and standard CDMA devices will roam in these destinations - even after the Worldmode service closure. See FAQ's for more information.

For more information please visit:

WorldMode Roaming
www.telecom.co.nz/worldmode

CDMA 3G EVDO data
www.telecom.co.nz/cdmadata

nitrotech: Seems the herald have issues remembering which year we are in:

Telecom will close two of its CDMA services before switching off the outdated network mid-next year.

As Telecom focuses on pumping resources into its troubled XT network it will close down its CDMA data network - called EVDO - on November 30. Its WorldMode roaming service will close on October 28.

- NZ HERALD STAFF

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10657354

makes total sense to get rid of old technology and take out the OPEX associated with it, they can
reinvest in other profitable services

BlakJak: I own a T-Stick (Sierra Wireless 597 iirc) and i'm quite pissed off with the fact it's due to become a relic within 6 months. I didn't spend 24 months on a fixed term contract for nothing!

At the very least Telecom should be offering discounted XT T-Sticks to those with the legacy ones. Theyre not a phone, theyre an appliance and easily one-for-one switched-out in most applications.