KEY POINTS:
Competition in the mobile market will be promoted by the completion of two cellular spectrum transfers, Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce said today.
Earlier, Telecom and Vodafone accepted offers from the Ministry of Economic Development to renew cellular spectrum rights in the 800MHz and 900MHz bands for 20 years from 2011/12.
A condition of the offers was for some of the spectrum to be made available to a new entrant in the mobile market. Both Telecom and Vodafone have completed sales of spectrum to company NZ Communications.
Mr Joyce said Vodafone and the Crown have completed the settlement process for Vodafone to renew rights to spectrum it uses to provide cellular service.
"In addition, the Crown has swapped some spectrum with the anticipated new entrant to the mobile market, NZ Communications.
"The swap gives NZ Communications the bandwidth it needs to invest in both second generation and third generation networks, and the government has the opportunity to free up its spectrum for other users."
- NZPA
