2degrees becomes New Zealand's third network operator

Kiwis now have a third choice in wireless today with the official launch of 2degrees, filing in behind giants Vodafone and Telecom New Zealand. The service is being positioned as a value brand, touting that its no-contract rates for voice, text, and data are generally half of what is charged by its bigger competitors -- and with 97 percent claimed coverage of the country, it seems that you're not going to be trading in signal strength for your savings. 2degrees' HSPA backbone is powered by Huawei, while phones range from the lowly (correction: ultra-lowly) Nokia 1202 all the way up to the E63 -- though it would appear that there's nothing stopping you from bringing your own unlocked set to the party if you like. So, who's switching?

[carcomptoy Posted Aug 4th 2009 1:54PM]

HSPA and yet its highest-end model is the UMTS-only E63? And at $649?? I guess it is contract free, but even that's more than regular unlocked prices. Still, I'm glad for the New Zealanders who finally don't have to put up with just big, bad Vodafone only, and instead have two others to choose from.

[carcomptoy Posted Aug 4th 2009 1:56PM]

Just kidding...I read their coverage info, and it looks like it's just GSM/EDGE for now, and later on HSPA+ will be activated.

http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/coverage

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 4th 2009 7:05PM]

Don't forget that's $649 in Kiwi-lira (NZD$) which is about $350USD with current exchange-rate.

And it is indeed contract-free. We're lucky in NZ that all phones are un-locked - or at least should be according to our Commerce Commission.

So, I guess it's come one, come all for 2deg. Good one them I say!!

Also, the TVC's feature Rhys Darby - 'Murray' from Flight of the Conchords :) which makes 2deg extra cool by association

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 4th 2009 4:03PM]

I'll be getting an extra SIM since they're free (you gotta pay NZ$2/NZ$20 credit). It's great that we got another choice cause Kiwis have been suffering under a duopoly for a long time now. We've got one of the most expensive plans/charges in the world. Its like US$0.50/min to call someone.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 5th 2009 9:25AM]

2* has a GSM network for now, and it's mostly using Vodafone's network since they have only deployed to Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. The downside to 2* is their Data Charges (about $0.30USD per MB for you Americans) so it makes it not smartphone friendly. Telecom are going to be the one's who are gonna get messed up from this, since their plan charges and network (Telecom XT) are both crap. Vodafone doesn't lock any of their phones. They had a time when they locked about 100 blackberry handsets by accident, but ended up offering a free unlock to these customers.