Media Release
6th September 2011

CallPlus and Slingshot give Auckland City and its rugby world cup visitors FREE WiFi access

CallPlus and Slingshot this week announced that they are providing a free WiFi service to the city of Auckland for the duration of the Rugby World Cup.

As CallPlus CEO Mark Callander says, “this is our contribution to the city of Auckland. We want to help showcase Auckland as a great place to do business by making it quick and easy to get connected. It takes just one click to use our free service and it does not require tokens, apply time restrictions or have a complicated sign up process.”

“Our visitors must get convenient access to the internet to keep in touch with family and friends, and most importantly avoid paying excessive mobile roaming charges. With average global roaming prices at $10 per Mb, 1GB of usage would cost a user $10,000 – that makes for an expensive holiday!”

“Many visitors will have a smart mobile device which are becoming very popular and we are committed to helping them make the most of this technology. We have deployed almost half of the planned 1,000 hot spots within the coverage area of the Auckland Central Business District, the Viaduct, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay and Freemans Bay.”

Callander continues “the WiFi access points have been offered to all bars, restaurants, hotels, motels and any place where large numbers of people are expected to meet. If any business located in these coverage areas would like to offer an obligation free WiFi service, simply go to www.rugbysupporters.co.nz and request WiFi hot spot. It is simply plug and play.”

“We are seeing very quick uptake with over 50Gb of traffic per day on the network which is amazing, but it is a reflection of how easy the service is to use. All people have to do is click on the ‘CallPlus Rugby Supporters’ or ‘Slingshot Rugby Supporters’ and you’re away. Give it a go.”

“The service is being delivered over our own 4G Wireless network so it is independent of other initiatives designed to provide a similar service. This is great for Auckland and its visitors and should result in a positive customer experience that should spread to their friends and family around the world.”

For more information, go to www.rugbysupporters.co.nz.

ENDS

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