Vodafone first to begin 4G rollout with 700MHz

It might only make up 1.1 per cent of New Zealand’s population, but Papakura has raced ahead to become the first district to receive super-fast 4G mobile technology with 700MHz spectrum.

Responsible for the Kiwi first was Vodafone, the first telecommunications company to roll out 4G in New Zealand.

The telco giant is also the first to successfully trial rural 4G using 700MHz spectrum at Lake Brunner on the West Coast of the South Island last year.

Last week, Vodafone also launched a commercial 4G service using 700MHz – freed up from the Government’s Digital Dividend auction – which delivers greater reach and better in-building coverage than other frequencies.

Vodafone’s Director of Technology, Sandra Pickering says kicking off the commercial 4G rollout to rural New Zealand is a major milestone.

“There’s no question that 4G – particularly in rural areas – will deliver economic benefit and have strong impacts for productivity,” she adds.

“Our focus this year is about expanding our 4G network to rural New Zealand with 700MHz.

“We’ll be activating 4G wherever possible on new Rural Broadband Initiative sites this year.

“In addition to a progressive upgrade of our existing sites with 700MHz, we will also be building a number of new sites each year to further improve our coverage.”