Countdown to Telecom 4G - What you need to know...

Telecom New Zealand is counting down to the launch of its 4G network, which goes live in parts of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 12 November, 2013.

Since announcing earlier in the month that all pay-monthly and prepaid Telecom customers will receive a free upgrade to 4G, the telco says it has been inundated with enquiries and expressions of interest from customers eager to experience the faster network.

“With less than two weeks to go, we thought it would be a good idea to remind customers how to access Telecom 4G, so that they can get onto the faster mobile network as soon as possible after launch," says Chris Quin, Retail CEO, Telecom.

“You need three things to access Telecom 4G: you must be in a 4G coverage area, have a 4G-enabled phone, and have a Telecom 4G SIM card in that phone.”

Quin claims that with the launch of the iPhone5S and the iPhone5C last week, Telecom now has 14 4G-capable devices available for customers on the Telecom mobile network, and will announce more device options on launch day.

The 4G-capable devices currently available on Telecom’s network include the iPhone5, iPhone5s, iPhone5C, Nokia Lumia 920, Nokia Lumia 625, Nokia Lumia 1020, HTC One, HTC One Mini, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung S4 Mini, Samsung Note 3, the Sony Xperia Z, Sony Xperia Z1 and Blackberry Z10.

Quin adds that Telecom is working with each of the mobile phone manufacturers to ensure that devices are updated with the software required for them to work on Telecom 4G on or as soon as possible after launch date.

Maps showing 4G coverage across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will also be available on Telecom’s website from 12 November at the same link.