Telecom Gives Holidaymakers Free Summer WiFi

18 December 2012
Media Release

TELECOM GIVES HOLIDAYMAKERS FREE SUMMER WIFI

Kiwi summer moments to be shared via WiFi hotspots across NZ

Christmas and summer are the times of year Kiwis love most, and now they can remain connected even at some of the most remote beach locations.

In a national trial, Telecom has installed more than 100 free WiFi ‘hotspot’ access points across popular summer regions throughout New Zealand (including Northland, the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Tasman and Queenstown Lakes), to help keep Kiwis connected all summer long.

The free service goes live from 18 December 2012, so whether holidaymakers will be sunning themselves on Piha Beach in Auckland, or taking a stroll by Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, they can rest easy knowing that they’re able to stay connected to friends across the country on their smartphones or laptop devices.

“There’s nothing like sharing your summer experience with loved ones even if you can’t be together. All you need is a New Zealand mobile number, with any provider, to stay connected,” says Ed Hyde, Telecom’s General Manager – Mobile Product.

“Whether it’s searching for a nearby cafe, uploading a few holiday snaps to your Facebook page, or, in my case, checking work emails, Kiwis and visitors can get online for free without having to leave their deckchair. It’s a bit of a treat from us to help Kiwis share their love of summer."

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During the course of the summer, Telecom and ZM radio will host 'Telecom WiFi Lounges' in selected Telecom WiFi hotspots around the country with deck chairs and umbrellas to allow people to relax while they surf the net. Staff will be on hand to show people how to use the service so they can upload and share summer holiday pics with friends and family online.

The company is activating the service through existing Telecom telephone boxes in the selected regions, and in some cases by building WiFi transmission into existing infrastructure such as surf clubs and local shops. Users will initially be taken through a short online registration process before their device automatically connects to the service each time thereafter.

Surf Clubs to play host to WiFi on the beach The company has also partnered with select Surf Life Saving clubs to deliver WiFi via selected surf clubs to beachgoers. And the partnership doesn’t end there.

Telecom workers across the country are pledging their own support for the essential summer Surf Lifesaving services through payroll giving, and by encouraging fundraising through Givealittle, the online giving platform.

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“Surf Life Saving Northern Region is thrilled to feature as one of the first chosen projects the Telecom Foundation are supporting since the purchase of online giving website Givealittle. For many years, the organisation has been supporting Kiwis share their summer safely, and it’s great that Telecom are getting behind that philosophy,” said Bob Harvey, Chairman of the Telecom Foundation and Surf Lifesaving NZ Life Member.

“Additionally smartphones, tablets and other gadgets are becoming a constant presence on the beach, so we’ve been more than happy to help Kiwis get even more out of their beach days!"

To check out the Telecom WiFi hotspots in your area and for updates on the hotspot beach parties click here www.telecom.co.nz/wifi

ENDS

To Donate to Surf Life Saving NZ Northern Region, search for the page at www.givealittle.co.nz/

About ‘Summer’s for Sharing’

This summer season, Telecom is encouraging New Zealanders to stay connected with each other by sharing their summer memories wherever they may be across the country. The Telecom Christmas trees will be appearing in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and are open free of charge for the public to visit and participate in daily light shows throughout December until Christmas. Our free 0800 222 222 Santa Line service will ensure Kiwi kids’ messages are delivered directly to the North Pole while free Telecom WiFi installed at popular holiday hotspots will enable people to post those essential social media updates for family and friends. WiFi will also allow busy Kiwis to catch-up on work emails from the beach or squeeze in an extra day-or-two out of their annual beachside break.

Telecom home phone and broadband customers are treated to free landline to landline calling within New Zealand, so they’ll be able to chat to those far flung friends and family on Christmas Day.

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