AGGRESSIVE TACTICS WILL NOT STOP TELECOM BRINGING WORLD’S BEST MOBILE

Telecom New Zealand said today Vodafone had threatened legal proceedings

over the launch of Telecom’s new XT mobile network.

“This is a piece of aggressive behaviour that betrays Vodafone’s

insecurities about competition from Telecom’s new XT mobile network, just

13 days away from launch,” said Telecom chief executive Paul Reynolds.

“Telecom will vigorously resist the request for an injunction, and we

remain on target to bring world-class 3G mobile services to New Zealanders

from 6.30pm on 13 May.”

Telecom’s compliance with the terms of its licences was recently confirmed

by the Ministry for Economic Development, as part of its investigation

into interference issues between the WCDMA technology used by Telecom, and

the GSM technology used by Vodafone and NZ Communications.

Following a series of test measurements and analysis…Telecom’s WCDMA

transmitters meet the emission limits specified on spectrum licences

issued pursuant to Telecom’s management rights. (From MED letter, 9 April)

Dr Reynolds said, on the information received so far, Vodafone’s technical

problems with coverage and other issues were substantially of its own

making, and not the responsibility of Telecom New Zealand.

“They are now reaping the cost of this and other poor technical decisions,

and attempting to lay them at the feet of Telecom, just a few days out

from the launch of our XT network.

“This timing is curious to say the least, and observers will draw their

own conclusions.

“Telecom’s engineers have already been working with their counterparts at

Vodafone, for several weeks now, to resolve these issues and this process

has been working well.  We are disappointed that Vodafone has taken such

extreme steps over an issue that can be resolved in a more constructive

way – and most New Zealanders will be too.

“The XT network launch on 13 May will be a great day for New Zealand

mobile customers, whereas today will only be seen as a sign of desperation

by a global telecommunications giant,” said Paul Reynolds.