Vodafone released its 4G service in central Wellington

Vodafone has released its 4G service in central Wellington and Lower Hutt. The fast mobile internet service had previously been switched on by the company in parts of Christchurch, Auckland, Queenstown, Lake Brunner, Taupo and Wanaka.

Palmerston North would be the next city inline to get 4G. Vodafone’s 4G network build is being rolled out in partnership with long-standing partner Nokia Siemens Networks

Overall, there are more than 150,000 4G-capable devices connected to Vodafone’s network in the country. These devices include iPhone 5, iPad/iPad mini, Sony Xperia Z, Blackberry Z10, HTC Windows Phone X and Samsung Galaxy SIII.

Vodafone 4G service offers up to 10 times faster upload and download speeds than its slandered 3G network.  This means that a 4G-capable device that takes hours to download a movie on 3G would take just few minutes. A book will take less than a second to download.

Russell Stanners, the chief executive of Vodafone NZ, said that initially 4G services will be available to 30% population of the city but it will grow to 50% by September.

Currently, the Vodafone customers are paying an extra $10 a month for the faster mobile broadband speeds of Vodafone. However, Telecommunications Users Association has forecasted that the surcharge would soon be dropped.

Company Telecom, in April, said that it would’ve 4G available on 75% of its Auckland network by October and in 60% of Christchurch and Wellington by December. The local rival company 2degree is also set to kick-off its 4G network build in 2014 and has signed a contract with Chinese telecom equipment giants Huawei for that.

For more information on the world of mobile, head to Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona, taking place from 24-27 February, 2014. Contact EAS for the best in quality accommodation, Special services during MWC 2014.  For further information, click here.

Vodafone Group confirms Kabel Deutschland talks

Vodafone Group confirms
Kabel Deutschland talks

Vodafone Group has confirmed the long-running speculation that it has been approached by Germany’s biggest cable operator – Kabel Deutschland – about a probable multi-billion dollar take-over, a move which would boost U.K. mobile company’s broadband and TV offerings.

According to reports, Vodafone has offered between €81-82 (£68-69) to Kabel Deutschland but it has dismissed the offer citing it as too low. The mobile company is now reportedly considering increasing its offer.

Since the unearthing of the U.K. Company’s interest in Kabel Deutschland about four months ago, the shares of the cable firm have rose by as much as 27%.

The acquisition of Kabel Deutschland, which has around 8.5 million customers across Germany, would help Vodafone to bolster its mobile and broadband footing in Germany, where it acquired a leading telecom provider – Mannesmann AG – in a takeover worth $180 billion in 2000.

Vodafone, the world’s No. 2 mobile operator by revenue after China Mobile Ltd, last month recorded its first revenue drop in eight years, with rivals offering more competitive service bundles. .

The U.K. Company is also loosening its clutches over the German broadband operations, acquired in the Mannesmann deal, as Deutsche Telekom AG and Unitymedia Kabel have lured millions of its customers with awe-inspiring packages during the past few years.

Since the German takeover law demands the bidders to offer at least the average share price from the past three months, Vodafone would need to put a value on Kabel Deutschland of at least €6.39 billion to proceed with the offer.

And if the deal goes ahead, it will be Vodafone Group’s largest since it started operations in India in 2007 and it will look forward to attract more customers by bundling mobile, fixed-line, TV and broadband services.

For more information on the use of mobile internet worldwide head down to the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2014. For the best hotels, rentedapartments for mobile world congress and other accommodation choices contact EAS, your local travel agents. With our expert knowledge and experience we’ll make sure you have an unforgettable stay. And we’ll even organise your transportation and nightly entertainment too. Click on this link to fill in our request form.