Telecom plans 3G expansion

Telecom Mobile in New Zealand has revealed that it is to extend the coverage of its high speed mobile network to all the country’s main towns and cities by the end of this year. The company says it expects “strong take-up” on the new provincial systems. Telecom is also expanding the coverage of its existing 3G networks in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch which were launched to business users last November. The firm is investing NZD240 million on the rollout of its 3G infrastructure which is based on CDMA2000 1X EV-DO technology. Rival mobile operator Vodafone is due to launch its own high speed service next month; this will be based on UMTS technology which is favoured by European 3G providers. Vodafone is planning to spend around NZD200 million on its own network.