On laptops, Gen-i's Chris Quin has said Telecom is talking to two or three netbook makers. See my Keallhauled entry "Mini T-Day" under our Opinion section.

iPhone seems unlike, given Mr Quin's comments in that article.
BlackBerry seems more likely, while a Nokia and Sony-Ericsson models are certain.

Vodafone has locked up worldwide rights outside the US for the HTC Magic, aka the G2, the only Google Android phone on the market so far - though LG, Motorola and others have models on the way.

Using an HSPA+ compatible phone (there aint none yet), Telecom says download speeds on is 3G network could hit up to 14Mbit/s. Using an HSPA phone or laptop dongle, it will hit a theoretical maximum of 7Mbit/s.

Of course, that size data pipe could prove ruinous to your bank balance if Telecom's (and Vodafone's) cellular broadband charges remain the same.

The 3G networks are much faster and than GSM (thought the fighter jet imagery may be pushing user expectations a little high) and the video, app store, GPS etc phones that run on them are, for lack of a better word, sexier.

But the larger story is that we'll soon, for the first time, have rival mobile networks that run on more or less the same technology. That means head-to-head competition. A very good thing.

over promise. bet it crashed like hammond. appropriate choice. no back up haha

I guess if you only use your mobile for ringing grannie then its boring. Some of us have been waiting for some time for decent access speeds so we can run mobile applications at reasonable speed. At least Telecom is actually investing money in faster mobile infrastructure, unlike its competitors who are exporting our NZ$ off shore while charging hugely inflated prices for low quality, low speed, barely accessible mobile services.

@ David Spratt - your statement "unlike its competitors who are exporting our NZ$ off shore while charging hugely inflated prices for low quality, low speed, barely accessible mobile services" - could be further from the truth!

Vodafone are investing $500 million in their new 900Mhz UMTS Extended Rural Network & their Mobile Data Plans are much cheaper & offer better value to both PrePay & On Account customers, than what Telecom *currently* does.

Please post factual information, not nonsense.

ill give you some facts.

Vodafones current 3G network is bullcrap and slow. I have a vodem and T-stick and the speeds on the vodem are not even close to comparible to the speed and coverage of the t-stick, even in the urban areas where they claim to have their full 3G network

If you want speed go telecom . if you want lots of sata but are prepared to have dial/up like speed go with vodafone

IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAAAAAAAAAAAAAND!!!!!!!!

Vodafone investing $500 million in to their network? Where did you get that info from? Currently the data plans used by both networks are pretty much the same EG the 1GB plus plan. Voda have introduced prepaid data plans but only because Telecom have forced them to as they know that Telecom are launching their own. Telecom are investing 2 Billion dollars in their broadband and mobile network and have even upgraded most of their backhaul to fibre which will see significantly faster data speeds where vodas backhaul is still copper. If you want to look at what is cheaper and offers better value on either a data plan or voice plan may be you should research it more.

Dear Vodafone clone, you must be psychic, how can you say your prices are cheaper when you have not seen the price plans for Telecoms new network. Likewise you have not seen the price plans from NZ Comms and will not until they launch. Talking about investment Vodafone when are you going to start installing equipment in Wellington exchanges, all this spin that you are awaiting a decision from the Commerce Commission concerning roadside cabinets is just a red herring. I note Orcon has had the balls to install equipment in Wellington exchanges. Isn't it amazing that Vfone is creaming it. For a mobile market share of 55% and a population base of only 4.3 million. Vodafone NZ is the highest performing subsidiary (as in return on investment) in the Vfone empire. Just shows consumers are paying far to much for mobile calls and data.
Watch Vfone magically reduce their prices once Telecom and NZ launch into the marketplace.

A lot of the Voda evangelists are stating that Telecom are only playing catch with this new network, saying Voda already has 3G. Telecom already has 3G in its CDMA Network (Evdo Rev A is 3G Tech) which is already faster and has better coverage that what Voda have today.

What Telecom is doing is providing customers with hardware that utilises the WCDMA network better. Good CDMA handsets that really get consumers turned on are hard to find.

Point Im trying to make is that Telecom already has 3G.

Telecom have to play catch up because they chose the wrong mobile technology side (CDMA), not to mention Telstra decided to cut of its CDMA network, leaving Telecom in the gurgla when people on CDMA phones wanted to go there!!

As for prices or better deals coming around because of this new XT network, I wouldn't hold your breath!! Both Telecom and Vodafone are guilty of extracting exorbatant profits from NZders for the last 10 years!! Maybe bringing in the 3rd network from NZ Comms might make a difference!! You just have to look at the deals and plans you get in Australia or other countries, to see that we are being severly ripped off!!

Either way, the prices for mobile phone and data access are still far too high, and slow, compared with the rest of the world. We will still be getting screwed. There is still no flexibility with plans or what the telcos offer, compared with what's happening around the globe.