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Vodafone says it will extend its 3G mobile broadband coverage to "97 per cent of places New Zealanders live work and play" by the end of May this year.
While not actually covering 97 per cent of the land area, the 3G service will be available in places like Geraldine, Fairlie, Greymouth, Kaikoura, Hicks Bay, Hawera and Kaikohe, the company said.
The coverage expansion is a year ahead of schedule, chief executive Russell Stanners said.
"This means that many people who haven't had access to fixed broadband can now get mobile broadband," he said.
Vodafone had more than half a million customers using its 3G network after it invested nearly $3 billion in the system, he said.
Vodafone has engaged Nokia Siemens Networks to extend its network.
By May 31 there will be 14 mobiles and 2 mobile broadband products available for use on the extended 900MHz 3G network.
All 900MHz 3G-capable mobile phones can be used to access the internet and make simultaneous voice calls.
Telecom will launch its new high-speed 850MHz network in June.
- NZPA
