2degrees set to turn up temp in mobile market
AUCKLAND – 11 May 2009
2degrees set to turn up temperature in mobile market
NZ Communications Limited, the company behind New Zealand’s third mobile phone network, has rebranded to 2degrees, as the countdown begins to its network launch in August 2009.
According to 2degrees CEO Mike Reynolds, “New Zealanders have been at the rough end of the stick for far too long.
“Most markets in the world have at least three network operators and quite a number have more. There is no other comparable country that has to suffer such poor value in the mobile market and that can be attributed to a lack of a vibrant competitive environment,” he says.
“Almost everyone in New Zealand has a mobile phone, but they use it for far less than almost anywhere else in the world, and that’s due to the high cost.
“Our research tells us that Kiwis are tired of being locked into lengthy contracts and being stung with high prices to call friends on competing networks. They want to take back control of how much they spend and who they call,” said Mike Reynolds.
“2degrees is dedicated to bringing real value to New Zealand mobile phone users. You can choose a new 022 number or you can keep your current phone number, meaning minimal fuss when switching to 2degrees. With coverage to 97% of New Zealanders, I’m sure 2degrees will be as least as good as anything Kiwis currently experience, and more importantly, much better value.”
Why 2degrees?
The theory ‘6 degrees of
separation’ describes the idea that every human on the
planet is connected in 6 steps. Through advancements in
mobile phone technology, people are able to connect more
often and in different ways, reducing the degrees of
separation. Due to the size and close knit nature of our
culture, New Zealand enjoys one of the shortest social
distances in the world, closer to 2 degrees than 6. The new
brand pays homage to the closeness of Kiwi
connections.
About the 2degrees network
2degrees has
committed over $250 million and is building a 2G and 3G
network that is HSPA+ capable. The 2degrees network uses
technology from one of the world’s leading mobile network
providers, Huawei. It is capable of running on 900MHZ,
1800MHZ and 2100MHZ frequencies.
About the 2degrees
company
2degrees, formerly NZ Communications, is the
company that is building the third mobile phone network for
New Zealanders. Company shareholders include US-based mobile
communications specialists, Trilogy International Partners,
as well as Hautaki Trust, General Enterprise Management
Services International and Communication Venture Partners.
The combined shareholders bring a wealth of international
experience and knowledge which will be of huge benefit to
New Zealand mobile users. In the countdown to its official
launch in August, 2degrees is inviting customers to
pre-register their interest on our website: www.2degreesmobile.co.nz
How closely
connected are we?
In 1929 Hungarian writer Frigyes
Karinthy proposed the idea that everyone on the planet is
separated by 6 steps, however it was in 1967 that the first
documented study (Travers & Milgram) was undertaken as to
how closely connected people are. From a sample of 64 people
it was found that the average number of hops for a letter to
travel from Nebraska to Boston was 6.2, which gave rise to
the concept of six degrees of separation among
people.
With the growth of the internet, and greater online social networks the 1967 outcome was tested by the Microsoft study (Horvitz & Leskovec) in 2006 where 30 billion conversations among 180 million people were analysed. The findings supported the earlier study with an average of 6.6 degrees of separation.
New Zealand is said to be a nirvana for social network researchers (Prof. Rob Allen – Auckland University of Technology) with anecdotal findings suggesting that we are actually much more closely connected with as little as two degrees of separation (David Farrar – Internet Commentator).
Q AND
A
BRAND
Why 2degrees?
In 1929 Hungarian writer
Frigyes Karinthy proposed the idea that everyone on the
planet is separated by six steps. The premise became known
as ‘six degrees of separation’.
In 2006 Microsoft conducted a planetary scale experiment to test the theory. They studied 180 million people and 30 million instant messages and found that on average people were separated by 6.6 steps.
Respected academics and journalists have covered the story and in 2006 proposed that New Zealand enjoys one of the shortest social distances in the world - more like 2, rather than 6 steps.
Our aim is to foster and support the special closeness of connection that exists in New Zealand.
So, allow us to introduce ourselves, we are: ‘2degrees mobile’.
Why will New Zealanders want to
switch to 2degrees?
We’ll make things simple. We’ll
offer great value with no surprises, so people won’t have
to think twice about staying connected.
To simplify things even further, consumers will be able to bring their current phone number with them when they join 2degrees. It’s no fuss to move to 2degrees.
HOW IT’S GOING TO WORK
How will it work?
Pop in your new 2degrees SIM
card and you’re good to go – simple.
Will I be able to
bring my mobile number with me?
Yes, you can stay on your
current number or you can pick your own – and we’ve got
10 million 022 numbers to choose from!
Will my handset
work?
GSM handsets will work on our network. All
you’ll need to do is put a 2degrees SIM card into your
phone.
Will I be able to get a fancy new handset as part
of the deal?
We’ll have a range of great handsets from
the leading brands. So, if you need a new phone, hang on and
wait to see our offers.
Will I be able to surf, TXT and
download email on my mobile?
Of course!
PRICE
Will 2degrees offer lower rates than existing
mobile companies?
Naturally we cannot reveal our
pricing and payment methods today. But rest assured they
will set new benchmarks in New Zealand.
COVERAGE
What
will your coverage be like?
2degrees coverage will reach
about 97% of where New Zealanders are. We know that New
Zealand will not settle for anything less than a reliable
solid national network and that is what we will
deliver.
Will I be able to travel overseas with
2degrees?
Yes. Roaming will be available to the major
travel destinations visited by Kiwis.
SERVICE
What is
your approach to customer service going to be?
Well, for
a start it will be FREE. A call from your mobile to our
customer care team – that are based in Auckland - won’t
cost you a cent.
TECHNOLOGY
What’s the
technology?
We’ve committed over $250 million on
building a network that is 2G, 3G and HSPA+ capable.
The network is being built using technology from one of the world’s leading telecommunications providers, Huawei. It uses 900MHZ, 1800MHZ and 2100MHZ frequencies.
OWNERSHIP
Who is behind 2degrees?
Two Degrees Mobile
Limited is the Company that has built the third mobile phone
network for New Zealand.
2degrees is a partnership of Maori and international investors that specialize in mobile communications. Together they bring a wealth of local insight and international experience.
ENDS