NBR graphic by Paul Slater.

Having spent close to $200 million building its network New Zealand’s putative third mobile operator, NZ Communications, has played its cards close to its chest, refusing to name a launch date.

Now, a few grams of information have been squeezed out.

NZ Comms' head of corporate communciations Bryony Hilless says that on May 11 the telco will announce the brand it will use for its new network.

It will also announce when the new network will go live.

The Commerce Commission has delayed its decision on when – or if – it will investigate domestic mobile roaming charges. The news is a blow to mobile newcomer NZ Communications, whose customers will have to roam on Vodafone’s network when outside Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.

Compass Communications will launch its own-brand cellphones and plans by March, running on the back of Vodafone’s network. But Vodafone is still sweating over whether its two“big dog” mobile partners – Orcon and NZ Communications – will launch before Telecom’s T-Day.

Mobile phone users are making calls on NZ Communications’ new GSM network in Auckland despite the company not planning to launch until the end of this year.
 
The website Geekzone has reports from people who are using their Optus
Australia mobile number and roaming on NZ Communications’ network in
Auckland.
 
“I just looked on my phone and I am roaming on the NZ COMMS network.