The mobile telecommunications industry in New Zealand is vibrant, dynamic and fast-paced. According to the Commerce Commission, more than 4.7 million New Zealanders - that's more than 100% of the population - are now estimated to have a mobile connection! This number is set to increase with the advent of exciting new devices such as the "always connected" revolutionary tablet PC.
Having more than 1300 mobile phone sites around New Zealand, Vodafone's mobile network covers 97% of where the population live, work and play. Vodafone New Zealand was the first to launch PXT, TXT,video calling, and was the first to bring the iPhone to New Zealand. We led the way with international roaming, Vodafone live!, mobile internet, BestMateTM, and multi txt.
As part of our continual commitment to leading innovation we spend millions globally on research and development as well as sharing best practice between the Vodafone operating companies. Today you can roam on Vodafone to 215 destinations worldwide, we also offer in-flight roaming and maritime roaming on over 60 cruise lines.
In October 2006, Vodafone bought fixed-line ISP ihug as part of its beyond mobile strategy. ihug, the original internet pioneer, has been making it easy for New Zealanders to connect to the internet for more than 13 years. This increased Vodafone's product offering to include residential services like broadband, a full range of calling plans and innovations such as Vodafone + Sky and iSky (unmetered Sky content over your Vodafone fixed line broadband connection).
With its constant efforts to expand its retail network across New Zealand, Vodafone purchased First Mobile in August 2010, giving it the largest retail footprint in the country. October 2010 saw Vodafone lead the market in New Zealand with a demonstration of LTE (or 4G services) - the next major innovation in network technology. Vodafone plans to deliver LTE services in the not-too-distant future.
In March 2011 the Minister for Communications and IT, Steven Joyce, announced Vodafone and Telecom the successful winners to roll out the Government's final Rural Broadband Initiative. Vodafone is responsible for delivering broadband coverage to rural New Zealand at minimum peak speeds of 5Mbps or better to 97.8% of New Zealand households. In order to do this, Vodafone will be building 154 new open access towers and equipping them with state-of-the-art wireless technology, and upgrading 389 of its existing towers.
In August 2011, Vodafone signed a 10-year multi-million dollar agreement with Pacific Fibre for the supply of international bandwidth on its new undersea cable system that will connect Australia, New Zealand and USA.
Today, Vodafone New Zealand employs 1950 passionate people who work in an energetic and fun culture that's focused on finding new and fresh ways to delight you!
