Telecom New Zealand: BlackBerry and more Windows Mobile to come in 2008
Before lunch (at the Wellington's famous Logan Brown) we had a brief review of Telecom's performance during 2007. Then we had a few bits of news (and I will quote from my notes):
- The Okta Touch is the fastest selling Windows Mobile device on Telecom ever - with about three times more sales than originally expected.
- The voicemail migration should be completed by January 2008 - a long project, which I remember being involved during early planning stages while working for Unisys New Zealand, until now provider of the Telecom VSP (voice platform).
- The Worldmode service will have some new handsets. If you don't know, "worldmode" are those handsets that can be used on the existing CDMA network and on overseas GSM/3G networks (and by the end of 2008 on the new Telecom network replacing the CDMA EVDO technology).
- Data roaming is coming for Worldmode so that you don't have to use CDMA only - and stuck in countries where there's no CDMA providers.
- The Okta Mondo should be announced next week, the second Worldmode handset from Telecom New Zealand.
- The LG Groove is coming next month - a media-oriented handset with special media keys (it reminds me of those MP3 players) and built-in FM transmitter.
- Telecom New Zealand is working on launching a Worldmode BlackBerry handset. Initially they are working on testing internally at Gen-i, but soon with external clients.
- They are working on a Samsung Blackjack Windows Mobile device codenamed Albero, also to be a Worldmode handset, due to release sometime near the end of Q1 2008.
- A free security software is coming for Yahoo!Xtra (Bubble) users.
- More broadband business plans are coming in addition to currently existing residential plans.
- Telecom New Zealand will move into the business services during 2008 including hosted applications.
In summary, as Greg McAlister said:
Embracing the new opportunities and looking forward to operating as a service provider in the new environment
It seems everyone there is quite happy with Telecom's new CEO, Paul Reynolds. Good luck in 2008...
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Comment by mobygeek, on 13-Dec-2007 20:21
I was going to find a way to discreetly ask you about your knowledge of the blackberry, as I remember your post on keeping confidentiality! I will have to bypass wanting the Touch and go for the Blackberry. Touch and Go - get it?
Comment by HamishMacEwan, on 27-Dec-2007 10:10
The voicemail migration should be completed by January 2008
Interesting, from where to where? Is it a platform, software, hosting or vendor migration?
In any case, nice to not even know it was occuring, what Xtra cannot, it appears traditional PSTN can.
Comment by Raewyn, on 13-May-2008 19:12
Can anyone tell me if a comparison of Vodafone and Telecom Blackberry's, especially roaming with them exists???? Thanks
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Comment by Hoosein, on 13-Dec-2007 17:47
Sounds interesting...Still waiting for Telecom to come out with a PDA/Smartphone with gps navigation.