New Zealand's 3rd Network Rebrands - Again

New Zealand's long-delayed 3rd mobile phone network, NZ Communications, has rebranded to 2degrees, as the countdown begins to its network launch in August 2009. NZ Communications (originally known as Econet Wireless) was granted a mobile license in 2001 when it formed an alliance with the Hautaki Charitable Trust which was allocated a 3G license at a discount price by the regulator.

2degrees CEO Mike Reynolds says "Most markets in the world have at least three network operators and quite a number have more. There is no other comparable country that has to suffer such poor value in the mobile market and that can be attributed to a lack of a vibrant competitive environment."

"Almost everyone in New Zealand has a mobile phone, but they use it for far less than almost anywhere else in the world, and that's due to the high cost." he added.

Why 2degrees?

The theory ‘6 degrees of separation' describes the idea that every human on the planet is connected in 6 steps. Through advancements in mobile phone technology, people are able to connect more often and in different ways, reducing the degrees of separation. Due to the size and close knit nature of our culture, New Zealand enjoys one of the shortest social distances in the world, closer to 2 degrees than 6. The new brand pays homage to the closeness of Kiwi connections.

2degrees shareholders include US-based mobile communications specialists, Trilogy International Partners, as well as Hautaki Trust, General Enterprise Management Services International and Communication Venture Partners.

Posted to the site on 11th May 2009