From Stuff.co.nz

Competition in the growing mobile internet market is hotting up with mobile phone newcomer 2degrees officially launching its 3G network today.

2degrees, which also celebrated its first birthday today, now has a 3G mobile internet network which covers 97 percent of New Zealand, while its mobile broadband service will be available in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

A nationwide plan with 50 megabytes of data over 30 days will cost $6 per pre-paid pack.

Access to the main city broadband zones will cost $20 for 512MB of data over 30 days, $50 for 2GB over 60 days or $150 for 10GB over 90 days.

If customers move outside the broadband zones they will be charged either on the nationwide plan or at the default rate of 50 cents per megabyte.

2degrees chief executive Eric Hertz says the company is "offering New Zealanders in our broadband zones more data, for less, with more time to use it, all without having to sign up to a long term contract.

"Our national 50MB data pack, for just $6, allows customers to get connected quickly and cost effectively wherever they are in the country, while our other data packs and USB modems provide great value for heavy data users within our mobile broadband zones."

The company's USB modem will cost $99 with a 2gb plan.

It says its 3G network supports 7.2 megbits per second peak speeds and it expects customers to receive average speeds of between 800 kilobits per second and 1400kbps.

The company is offering its own branded handsets from $199 as well as higher spec phones such as the Acer BE130 running the Google Android operating system, priced at $499.

The network supports other smartphones such as the iPhone and Blackberry.

2degrees is also selling micro-SIM cards necessary for use with the iPad and iPhone 4 at a cost of $20, but with $20 worth of credit.

A 2degrees spokesperson also says the company will launch "post-pay" plans for its mobile customers "in a matter of weeks."

Vodafone and Telecom both charge $29.95 for 500MB, $59.95 for 2GB or $79.95 for 4GB with no specified term. Vodafone also offers prepaid mobile internet at $10 a month for 100MB of data or $30 for 512MB.

Each have a standard casual rate of $1 per 10MB of data and $1 for every megabyte over that limit.