Telecom launched 4G across parts of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch yesterday, with early reports on social media reporting improved download times but some signal issues.
The Otago Daily Times asked Telecom for an update on when Otago could expect 4G and whether Hamilton had the new network.
A Telecom spokeswoman said the focus was initially on building 4G in the main population centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
''From there, we will then look at rolling out 4G across the rest of New Zealand. At this stage we're still finalising what that rollout looks like, but we will update customers as we firm up our plans.''
One of the factors Telecom needed to consider was the impact of the upcoming auction of the 700MHz spectrum.
This spectrum range was ''particularly appealing'' for the rollout as it enabled better economics of coverage in less populous areas than the 1800MHz range currently being used for 4G, the spokeswoman said.
Vodafone announced 4G would be available to its prepay customers at no extra cost from December 11.
Vodafone's 4G network was well established, with broad national coverage available to more than 1.3 million New Zealanders in 12 locations, the telco's consumer director, Matt Williams, said.
These locations were Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka, Lake Brunner, Taupo, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Arrowtown and parts of the Coromandel.
The way New Zealanders were using their mobile devices and tablets had evolved since Vodafone brought 4G to New Zealand more than eight months ago, Mr Williams said.
''A large proportion of activity on our 3G network is web browsing. But on 4G, customers enjoy traditionally fixed-line activities like shopping and streaming music and video. Users are intuitively taking advantage of the increased speeds - and enjoying it.''
Vodafone's first 4G Network Report found 24% of New Zealanders used their 4G device to check social media apps at least 20 times a day; they shopped online nearly twice as much as those on 3G; Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were the most popular social media apps over 4G; and people loved sharing photos at major events, with uploads exceeding downloads.
The survey also found 62% of New Zealanders used video streaming websites more since upgrading from 3G.
4G use spiked at lunch-time, with smaller spikes as children finished school and commuters travelled home on public transport.
Gen-i chief executive Tim Miles said Telecom recognised many people were worried about what changing to the 4G network might mean for their phone bill.
Experience overseas showed customers used much more data.
''That's why we've built a national Wi-Fi network with 750 hot spots, with more being added all the time.''
