2Degrees picks Huawei for NZ 4G network
New Zealand will get its third 4G long-term evolution (LTE) network in 2014, with 2Degrees announcing that it has secured NZ$165 million in credit to, in part, build the network.
The telco will follow Vodafone New Zealand and Telecom New Zealand in rolling out 4G in the country.
Huawei, which will continue to be the provider's exclusive network equipment provider, will be paid back for the vendor loan made to 2Degrees in 2011 as part of the NZ$165 million credit facility, and will be brought on to deploy the company's 4G network, acting 2Degrees CEO Stewart Sherriff said.
"Huawei has provided us with a modern, high-quality 2G and 3G network. They've always had an eye to the future, and have helped us prepare for a fast transition to 4G, which is key to maintaining our value leadership position," he said in a statement.
Huawei New Zealand CEO Arthur Zhang said that the partnership with 2Degrees was one of the first the Chinese network vendor made in the country.
"We were a relative newcomer to the New Zealand ICT industry, arriving in 2005. The extension of this relationship is a hugely positive step for us — we have grown with 2Degrees, and share their vision for bringing positive change and innovation to the market," Zhang said in a statement.
Following Vodafone's launch of 4G services last week, all three major Australia mobile networks now have 4G services in place.