Will Telecoms new network bring Growth??

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bbman

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# 25021 9-Aug-2008 17:58

This was the statement made in this article

http://stuff.co.nz/4648975a13.html

"Australian telecommunications analyst Paul Budde said introducing the WCDMA network should allow Telecom to halt the decline of its mobile market share but would not bring about significant growth. Once NZ Communications opened the country's third mobile network next year, it would probably take business from Telecom than Vodafone"

I personally believe that Telecom will arm wrestle Vodafone and with a superior coverage network and availablity of handsets and equipment it will be telecom that possibly will take a commanding lead, IF they build the network well and go hard at changing the perception of the company in the market place.

NZ Comms will do more damage to Vodafone initially i feel.

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sbiddle

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# 155457 9-Aug-2008 18:07

bbman:

I personally believe that Telecom will arm wrestle Vodafone and with a superior coverage network and availablity of handsets and equipment it will be telecom that possibly will take a commanding lead, IF they build the network well and go hard at changing the perception of the company in the market place.

That's ignoring the fact Vodafone already have an operational 900 UMTS network, a very fast paced rollout program to extend this across their entire 900 footprint and the large number of 900 UMTS handsets that are now in development.

bbman

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# 155646 10-Aug-2008 17:58

This is correct, certainly Vodafone are being very aggressive in this space and i am really happy to see that they have pushed Telecom to an early decision on 850mhz UMTS and Vodafone have already got 900 UMTS running.

At this stage thouse the 850mhz handset choice is much bigger but in 12 -18 months you will have 850/900/1900/2100mhz UMTS quad band handsets and it wont be an issue.

The game is now mobile broadband and i think both Telecom and Vodafone see this, how clearly i am unsure but both see the huge opportunity especially rurally but also in the cities and towns etc.

I think the game is about to change, i wonder how much of an impact NZ comms really will have, voice may be where they make inroads but the game will be broadband possibly and the lowering voice revenues will no longer be a focus?

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VFNZPaulBrislen

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# 155657 10-Aug-2008 18:52

Actually, as of today Telecom has not announced a 3G nationwide build... I was expecting it in the financial report but there was only a hint they're considering it.

Cheers

Paul

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

bbman

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# 155666 10-Aug-2008 19:23

Yes your right Paul, nothing official has been announced, more of an intent. You guys have really forced their hands though, find a way of building a 850mhz UMTS network or face being taken out of the market long term.

It is a given but when and how is the question we are all waiting for.

two nationwide 3g networks within 2 years is huge news and the slow broadband speeds and OECD comments may be a thing of the past.

Exciting times ahead!!!

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VFNZPaulBrislen

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# 155685 10-Aug-2008 19:58

Absolutely right on that score. Two 3G networks, nationwide. Seven retail players in the mobile space. Competition on fixed lines nationwide for the first time. Two political parties that want to invest billions...

with any luck next year will actually be the year broadband takes off in New Zealand. I've been predicting it for about five years now... got to be right eventually, otherwise we should train our kids to say "Would you like fries with that?" and not bother with all the rest.

Cheers

Paul

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

exportgoldman

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# 155694 10-Aug-2008 20:26

sbiddle:
That's ignoring the fact Vodafone already have an operational 900 UMTS network, a very fast paced rollout program to extend this across their entire 900 footprint and the large number of 900 UMTS handsets that are now in development.

If you look at their footprint for 900 UMTS, it's tiny, and has lots of deadspots as they have put the gear on existing towers, and it has less range than the 2G footprint, so between towers it drops back to 2G. It's amusing to watch while driving down the road.

It drives me insane every day not being able to make/recieve calls because Vodafone's network has become too overloaded lately (Call Failure...) I *really* *really* hope they take this seriously and fix this, and as a Christmas present fix all those black spots...

I think Telecom is going to come out swinging with a very big 3G footprint, and solid reliable network. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

NZ Communications is a wildcard, either they will keep plodding along and come out with a small network with roaming to Vodafone/Telecom and continue to slowly build, or be brought out before launch by someone like Virgin with some real money and experience behind them.

To be honest, I really don't care, as long as I will eventually be able to drive around Auckland and not drop calls, or sit in my longue in Parnell and recieve calls. Whoever can provide that first will have my vote :-)

I think Paul Reynolds is a breath of fresh air. He's a geek at heart, and geeks build good networks. Vodafone seem to be more of a marketing company.

Tyler - Parnell Geek - iPhone 3G - Lenovo X301 - Kaseya - Great Western Steak House, these are some of my favourite things.