Question regarding 2 Degrees Network

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matisyahu

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#189014 14-Dec-2015 03:31

Unsure whether this is answerable but is the long term goal of 2 Degree's to eventually replace the fill in provided by Vodafone with its own network? just wondering out of curiosity based on the growth of the number of new cell sites that 2 Degree's end goal is to have its own nation wide network. I understand whether this might be 'commercially sensitive' but it would be interesting to know.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

eXDee

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#1450077 14-Dec-2015 11:53

I would imagine this is their end goal, but if the cost of leasing off vodafone is relatively low, i don't imagine they will be jumping at the opportunity. Towers outside of the main centres have diminishing returns - ie they cost just as much but serve smaller populations, so its not a cheap exercise to to fill in all those gaps in between.

Though CoLo on all those RBI towers that have been built should be possible, and decrease the initial costs of deployment, if/when they deploy more rurally.

Personally i'm interested when we'll see them start to use 700mhz LTE - the other two will increasingly have an advantage for indoor/remote coverage.

2degreesCare

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2degrees

#1450284 14-Dec-2015 18:42

Hi there.

We’ve been continuing to build our own national mobile network and expand our reach.

This year we added a significant number of new sites across the country and have similar plans for next year. Our network already covers most areas where people live and work.

The team at 2degrees

ajw

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#1450285 14-Dec-2015 18:47

I note a lot of areas in the country where you do not have your own towers.

https://gis.geek.nz/celltowers

richms

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#1450289 14-Dec-2015 18:55

They will probably continue to freeload off Vodafone's investment in the non profitable areas for as long as they can.

Richard rich.ms

deadlyllama

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#1450333 14-Dec-2015 20:44

richms: They will probably continue to freeload off Vodafone's investment in the non profitable areas for as long as they can.

Is it freeloading if they're paying for it?

richms

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#1450386 14-Dec-2015 21:40

deadlyllama:
richms: They will probably continue to freeload off Vodafone's investment in the non profitable areas for as long as they can.

Is it freeloading if they're paying for it?

As they are choosing only areas where installing their own gear to roam on them IMO yes it is.

Richard rich.ms

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tripper1000

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#1450423 14-Dec-2015 23:25

richms:
deadlyllama:
richms: They will probably continue to freeload off Vodafone's investment in the non profitable areas for as long as they can.

Is it freeloading if they're paying for it?

As they are choosing only areas where installing their own gear to roam on them IMO yes it is.

None of the companies started with a true nationwide network. They all started building coverage where the customer to investment ratio was best. I don't understand what makes 2DM the villain this time around. Customers of all three companies will be the winners at the end of the day.

Alternatively maybe Vodafone wants to be like AT&T and become a network wholesaler - leave the marketing, billing & hassles of placating customers to someone else - ? It takes two to tango.

Your opinion of Skinny must be pretty harsh then? They aren't even making any attempt to build their own network.

But on a serious note, I too am interested in when 700 MHz will go into use. We have to go outdoors to get 4G where I work in Auckland. The nearest 2dm tower doesn't have any 4G at all on it yet.

deadlyllama

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#1450664 15-Dec-2015 10:47

tripper1000: . I don't understand what makes 2DM the villain this time around.

Seconded. I remember how much "value" the cellular telcos provided before 2degrees shook up the market.

christherider

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#1450667 15-Dec-2015 10:52

richms:
deadlyllama:
richms: They will probably continue to freeload off Vodafone's investment in the non profitable areas for as long as they can.

Is it freeloading if they're paying for it?

As they are choosing only areas where installing their own gear to roam on them IMO yes it is.

WTF are you talking about? 2D have a commercial arrangement with Voda to use their equipment - how is this freeloading? That's like saying renting a home is freeloading because you should be buying one.

richms

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#1450669 15-Dec-2015 10:59

Vodafone were forced into that. I wouldn't call it an agreement.

If 2degrees were building a comparable network then fine, but they are leaving Vodafone to cover the difficult rural areas. It's the same as ISPs that cherrypick exchanges to put unbundled kit in where they can make money and rely on the wholesale service elsewhere.

Richard rich.ms

MikeAqua

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#1450675 15-Dec-2015 11:08

Not at our place - Nelson city fringe.

2degreesCare: Hi there.

We’ve been continuing to build our own national mobile network and expand our reach.

This year we added a significant number of new sites across the country and have similar plans for next year. Our network already covers most areas where people live and work.

The team at 2degrees

Mike

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sorceror

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#1450690 15-Dec-2015 11:28

richms: Vodafone were forced into that. I wouldn't call it an agreement.

If 2degrees were building a comparable network then fine, but they are leaving Vodafone to cover the difficult rural areas. It's the same as ISPs that cherrypick exchanges to put unbundled kit in where they can make money and rely on the wholesale service elsewhere.

Vodafone are making a killing off 2degrees roaming users, it's in their best interest to keep the arrangement going.