New Zealand's much-awaited third mobile phone network has been renamed 2degrees and is now expected to be launched in August.
Telecom's new mobile network is scheduled to be launched on May 29 after court action by competitor Vodafone delayed the launch planned to take place tomorrow. 2degrees chief executive Mike Reynolds said customers could choose a new 022 number or keep their current number.
The company was promising 97% coverage.
"Most markets in the world have at least three network operators and quite a number have more," Mr Reynolds told the Otago Daily Times.
"Our research tells us that Kiwis are tired of being locked into lengthy contracts and being stung with high prices to call friends on competing networks.
"They want to take back control of how much they spend and who they call."
The company had committed more than $250 million to build a 2G and 3G network.
The 2degrees network used technology from Huawei and was capable of running on 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz.
Formerly NZ Communications, 2degrees' shareholders are US-based mobile communications specialists Trilogy International Partners, Hautaki Trust, General Enterprise Management Services International and Communication Venture Partners.
