Orcon to launch mobile phone service

Orcon internet today announced it has signed a heads of agreement with Vodafone with a view to launching mobile phone and data services in 2007.

Orcon's General Manager of operations and regulatory, Scott Bartlett, says adding mobile services to the Orcon product line-up is a natural progression of its business as well as adding increased competition into the marketplace.

"We couldn't be more excited about a commercial wholesale relationship with Vodafone," he says.

Orcon has a history of being early to market with wholesale products, he said, such as its introduction of unbundled BitStream in late 2004.

"When we launched UBS broadband six months before everyone else it really was groundbreaking stuff. The launch of Orcon Mobile is just as innovative for the mobile market," says Mr. Bartlett.

"In the mobile market today we have two major players, Telecom and Vodafone. The entry of Orcon into this exciting industry is going to drive competition, fuel innovation and provide for a richer experience for consumers."

"The ISP industry is undergoing significant change as a result of the Government's unbundling decision. However we are probably 18 months away from seeing the delivery of local loop unbundling services in this country because the legislative and regulatory process just takes too long.

"However with Vodafone offering a voluntary bilateral commercial offer to Orcon, it is our hope that the New Zealand public will see more competition in the mobile space early in 2007," said Mr Bartlett.