Received just now:

Timing will be everything for technology enthusiasts wanting to get their hands on New Zealand’s latest range of handsets, gadgets and mobile services this Friday.

Telecom will mark the launch of its XT Mobile Network with a range of product giveaways for the quick-fire shoppers at five of its Retail and Leading Edge stores in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. 

With the XT Mobile Network scheduled to go live on Friday 29 May, staff in five special stores will be racing against the clock to have everything in place for what Telecom’s Director of Mobile Paul Hamburger promises to be a busy morning.

“Our staff will open these five stores early at 7:30a.m ready to unveil the new range of products, services and pricing we are launching alongside the XT Mobile Network,” says Mr Hamburger

Some customers will have extra cause for celebration, with Telecom giving the first person in line for the 7.30am opening at each of the five stores any XT Mobile Network phone of their choice – along with $1,000 credit. 

The remaining people in the line at each of the five stores will go into a draw to win a heap of mobile gadgets and technology, including a touch-screen Samsung F480 mobile with $500 credit, Samsung stereo Bluetooth handsets and Telecom Prepaid Credit.  One lucky customer in line before the store opens will also walk away with a Samsung LCD TV. 

For customers unable to get to a store early, the new XT Mobile Network device range will be available during normal opening hours across the country and 24/7 online at www.telecom.co.nz from Friday. 

Customers who move to the new XT Mobile Network are able to retain their existing phone number including 021 numbers.

The stores where customers can be in early to win are:

Telecom Retail Store, Broadway
 263 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
 
Leading Edge Communications, Hamilton
 116 London Street, Hamilton
 
Telecom Retail Store, Lambton Quay
 203 Lambton Quay, Wellington
 
Leading Edge Communications, Moorhouse Ave
 70 Moorhouse Ave, Christchurch
 
Telecom Retail Store, Dunedin
 Corner George Pl & Moray Pl, Dunedin