2degrees extended 5G coverage to 13 areas in June

Network 2degrees launched 13 new 5G areas in June, as the company continues its 5G rollout and investment. The 4G optimisation also continues at pace, with upgrades focussed on the area dubbed the golden triangle the roading network that Network 2degrees launched 13 new 5G areas in June, as the company continues its 5G rollout and investment.

The 4G optimisation also continues at pace, with upgrades focussed on the area dubbed the ‘golden triangle’ – the roading network that connects Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland. In June, 24 new sites also went live as part of the Rural Connectivity Group project.

“We are incredibly proud of our network and committed to continuous improvements. We have designed the 5G rollout as ‘contiguous’, which in a nutshell means that customers will experience 5G in connected areas around the city, rather than in spots. The customer benefits by staying in 5G coverage for longer, and not going in and out of 5G coverage. Also, with the 5G upgrades, it doubles the 4G capacity available in these areas,” says Martin Sharrock, 2degrees Chief Technology Officer.

Roaming
Sharrock said 2degrees is also seeing more customers using devices overseas – mirroring the increase in international travel.

“Pre-pandemic we would see tens of thousands of people roaming in a month. This dropped to almost zero during 2020 and 2021, but has been steadily increasing this year, and is now sitting at just 20% of the pre-COVID peak.”

Inbound roaming – mostly returning Kiwis and Australian travellers – is also up, peaking just above the levels seen during the last trans-Tasman bubble. Business.Scoop