Hutchison to shut CDMA network in August

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 09 May 2006 18:36

Business IT - Networking

See also:
Hutchison signals end of Orange
Orange revives 'fixed'/mobile offering

Hutchison Telecommunications Australia has announced that it will close its CDMA network, which covers Sydney and Melbourne and surrounding areas, on 9 August 2006 as a result of a faster than expected migration of customer to its 3G network since closure plans were announced in late January.
here were around 350,000 customers on the network at the end of 2005 and since the announcement of plans to shut down the network, over 200,000 have migrated to the Hutchison 3G network.

CDMA customers are able to have a local PSTN number calls to which are received on their mobile, without any diversion charge. This functionality was a key selling point when the CDMA service was launched and after being quietly dropped was revived only last September as Mobile+Home.

It will not be available on the 3G network but migrating customers will be given diversion at no charge for three months after which normal diversion charges will apply if they still wish to keep their PSTN number.

"Customer demand to move to 3G has been very strong," Kevin Russell, CEO Hutchison Telecoms, said. "Our expectations were that 2G customers would want to take advantage of the offers, but we have been surprised at the pace."

CDMA customers who have not yet upgraded will be extended offers including the waiver of all current handset instalments, a new 3G mobile and service plans that, Hutchison claims, will offer the equivalent value as their existing plans.