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UPDATE OCT 31: Yesterday, Telecom offered the iPhone 5 for outright sale, on the prepay plan of the customer's choice - making it the first NZ telco to offer the handset off-contract.
NBR asked Vodafone about its prepay plans for the flagship smartphone. It's answer: there's no set date, but Vodafone will sell the iPhone 5 outright by Christmas. Supply problems preclude an earlier move.
"Our competitive advantage in areas such as our network DC-HSPA* capability and services such as Data Angel has created greater demand than we have had supply for iPhone 5. We plan to have outright purchase of iPhone 5 to in plenty of time for Christmas stockings," a spokeswoman told NBR.
Telecom and 2degrees also have DC-HSPA upgrades underway, but Vodafone claims a speed advantage after commissioning independent tests.
Telecom first to offer iPhone 5 on prepay
Oct 30: Telecom has become the first NZ carrier to offer the iPhone 5 on pre-pay.
The new iPhone is available from today to buy outright in selected Telecom stores and online for $1029 for the 16GB model, $1199 for the 32GB model and $1349 for the 64GB model.
The carrier's prepay plans include a new $19 bundle announced yesterday that includes 500MB, 60 national minutes and 5000 txts - part of a fresh round of jostling at the $19 price-point between the three main mobile carriers.
Vodafone is the second official NZ carrier for the iPhone 5.
It did not immediately respond to a question about whether it planned to offer the new iPhone for outright sale and pre-pay plans.
2degrees is not an official carrier, but is selling the Nano-SIM card specific to the iPhone 5.
NBR staff
Wed, 31 Oct 2012
Wed, 31 Oct 2012
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