(Alliance News) - Vodafone New Zealand on Thursday said it selected Nokia Corp to bring the first commercial 5G cellular network technology to the country.
The deal, which will include Nokia's AirScale radio access services, will see the Finnish telecommunications equipment firm supply and integrate a 5G network in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown before the end of 2019, Vodafone New Zealand said.
Vodafone New Zealand Technology Director Tony Baird said: "We are excited to be working with Nokia to deliver a commercial 5G network for Vodafone and New Zealand, building on our proud heritage of being first to deliver to Kiwis, the best mobile technology available at the time, including 2G, 3G, 4G and now 5G."
London-listed Vodafone Group PLC announced in May that it would sell its New Zealand unit for EUR2.1 billion to a consortium featuring investment firm Infratil Ltd and Canadian alternative asset manager Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Shares in Vodafone Group closed 0.6% higher at 147.20 pence each in London on Wednesday.
Vodafone (VOD)