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Calling costs on Vodafone's network are cheaper than the average for 30 other countries in the OECD, according to the latest mobile statistics.
Figures prepared by British telecommunications consultancy Teligen show Vodafone has tipped into the top half of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) when comparing mobile calling prices in the final quarter of 2007.
Vodafone prices were between 8 to 11 per cent cheaper than the OECD average, putting it just inside the top half of the table when plans aimed at low, medium and high usage customers were compared - a first for the company.
Vodafone had promised to break into the top 15 of the OECD rankings by 2010.
Vodafone New Zealand chief executive Russell Stanners said after hitting the target ahead of schedule it would be a challenge to remain above the OECD average given the comparisons with mobile operators in 30 countries.
Stanners said prices were being driven down in preparation for new entrants to the market through either wholesale deals with Telecom or Vodafone or the launch of third network operator, NZ Communications.
Vodafone last year signed agreements with telcos M2, Orcon and Compass allowing them to run mobile services via its network.
Telecom has also signed a network agreement with TelstraClear which saw the Australian-owned telco shift its mobile business off Vodafone's network.
Telecom was unavailable for comment on its rankings.
In the 3rd quarter of 2007 it was ranked between 27th and 30th out of 30 OECD countries for its mobile calling prices. At the time those statistics were released Telecom spokesperson Mark Watts said the figures didn't reflect specials available to consumers via bundled packages of home phone, mobile and broadband services.
In the past Vodafone has been criticised for the "extraordinary number of restrictive conditions" attached to its basic plans, including long contract terms, heavy contract termination penalties and no handset subsidies or international roaming.
Stanners said the company had listened and responded to the concerns raised, however he didn't see the two-year contract periods that have garnered criticism in the past as particularly onerous.
