Telco brings forward its 'simple' mobile launch

TelstraClear's handset line-up includes the powerful BlackBerry Bold 9700 and Nokia's 3610 flip-phone.

TelstraClear is the latest mobile player to launch an offensive aimed at capitalising on Telecom's XT woes.

The new service, run on Vodafone's mobile network, follows on the heels of the business deals introduced by TelstraClear last month.

TelstraClear's head of consumer Steve Jackson said the company had noticed an increase in the number of calls to its call centres inquiring about its mobile plans, so much so that it decided to bring forward the launch date of its offer.

It would have just one limited time offer plan and handset available this week, with more in the line-up later in the year, said Jackson.

"This was to enable us to get to market quickly with a simple offer to meet the needs of customers," he said.

The deal involves a two-year contract and gives customers a $300 Nokia handset, 500 free texts a month and 29c a minute calling to landlines and any New Zealand mobile with a monthly fee of $29.

With three operators running mobile networks and multiple telcos signed to wholesale access on the networks, Jackson said it would be focusing on "keeping it super simple" to stand out from the crowd.

"It's going to appeal to anyone who wants a simple offer, that's not a particularly high user, maybe they're on prepay and are looking for a cost effective alternative."

The launch has seen TelstraClear drop its requirement for customers to sign up their broadband and landline services with the telco before being able to take up its mobile offering.