Vodafone trumps Telecom NZ's XT launch offer

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 27 May 2009 08:05

IT Industry - Strategy

Vodafone NZ is attempting to steal the thunder from Telecom NZ's launch of its new 3G WCDMA network, set for Friday 29 May, with the offer of $NZ1000 of free airtime to each of 1000 lucky Vodafone customers.

The move looks like Vodafone trying to strike the last blow in a nasty stoush between the two companies that has already delayed launch of the network by  two weeks because of the, alleged, interference it was causing to Vodafone customers. Telecom NZ is revving up interest in the new network, dubbed XT,  by offering the first person in line for the 7.30am opening at each of its five main stores any XT phone of their choice along with $NZ1,000 credit.

Apart from the 'me too' offer, Vodafone is not missing the opportunity to remind its customers of the problems supposedly caused by Telecom's new network. Its generosity is, ostensibly, "our way of saying thanks for bearing with us while we resolved the recent interference issues,” according to CEO Russell Stanners. One thousand customers will be randomly selected from across New Zealand to receive $NZ1,000 worth of airtime each that can be used for calls, TXT messages, data, music downloads and other Vodafone services.

The stoush, which went all the way to the High Court before the two managed to settle their differences, did little for the public image of either or them. Ernie Newman, CEO of the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand wrote on his blog, "It shouldn't be happening at all. Issues like this belong in the industry fora and the engineering offices, not in the courts. The industry has set its image back years by letting this get into a high profile public squabble. In the High Court there will be a winner and a loser, but I sense that in the Court of Public Opinion many have already adjudged two losers."

•    Telecom NZ to offer Blackberry Bold
Telecom NZ and Research in Motion have also announced availability of the BlackBerry Bold on the new network from launch day. It will retail for $NZ1199.