Europe
: Nokia plays a key role in Vodafone New Zealand's launch of 3G enabled
services; delivering the behind-the-scenes network infrastructure
that powers Vodafone's new range of services to customers.
From this week on, Vodafone customers can enjoy the latest mobile
services that this new technology makes possible such as simultaneous
voice and data sessions, for example video calling. 3G efficiently
delivers the speed and capacity to support rich multimedia services
and brings superior performance to mobile users.
Vodafone New Zealand Director of Technology Jeni Mundy says the launch
of 3G enabled services is a huge milestone for Vodafone's 1.9 million
customers and the New Zealand mobile market.
"Preparing for the launching of 3G enabled services has been
an immense project for Vodafone and our key business partners. The
amount of work that's gone into ensuring our network can deliver the
best possible experience to our 3G customers is quite mind-blowing.
"Nokia has shown great commitment to our requirements to deliver
quality network systems at competitive cost," she said.
Mundy said that Vodafone was bringing the world's most popular mobile
technology, 3GSM, to its New Zealand customers to ensure that they
have the best and most advanced technology available with advantages
such as an extensive roaming footprint.
In May 2004, Vodafone announced that it had chosen Nokia to supply
its 3G network infrastructure to Vodafone Australia and Vodafone New
Zealand.
"We are delighted to have worked with Vodafone to roll out 3G
to New Zealanders," says Paul Tyler, Nokia General Manager, Vodafone
Business Team, Asia Pacific. "3G is the most important step in
a decade of mobile service evolution."
Nokia is providing the complete 3G core and radio networks, supplying,
deploying and testing the equipment in the field.
Nokia is also providing 3G network management, monitoring and maintenance
services in an arrangement known as Managed Services.
Managed Services means Nokia is running the network to Vodafone's
specifications allowing them to move away from day-to-day operations
of their networks and focus on serving their customers.
Introducing new technology platforms and services is a highly complex
business and Nokia has over 15 years experience in assisting operators
deploy the latest technology.
With its operational expertise gained from running networks on behalf
of operators around the world, Nokia is able to help operators provide
the highest-quality service to their subscribers while also lowering
their operating costs.
About Vodafone
Vodafone New Zealand Ltd is part of Vodafone Group Plc, the world's
largest mobile community, with more than 165 million proportionate
customers worldwide. The company has equity interests in 27 countries
over five continents and Partner Networks in a further 14 countries.
As at June 2005 Vodafone New Zealand has more than 1.929 million customers
on its fully digital network providing coverage to 97 per cent of
the population.
