With the recent launch of the Nokia Lumia 800, Microsoft and Nokia hope to change the shape of New Zealand’s smartphone market.
Now, 2degrees plans to make it easier for businesses and consumers to get their hands on it.
2degrees Chief Sales Officer, Mark Cleary said 2degrees will offer the latest Windows Phones to customers and make them more affordable for Kiwi businesses and consumers.
“We are fostering a close relationship with Microsoft, one of the fastest growing players in the New Zealand smartphone market. The smartphone is now an essential tool for businesspeople and consumers and 2degrees is focused on making devices such as the Nokia Lumia 800 affordable so that Kiwis can enjoy its seamless integration with the Microsoft software they use in their office and home,” he said.
The Plan
2degrees customers will get a free Nokia Lumia 800 when they sign up to the new $199 Plan for 24 months. For a fixed fee of $199 per month, 2degrees Business and Pay Monthly customers will receive unprecedented ‘all-you-can-eat’ value, including (a) uncapped calling to standard New Zealand and Australian landlines (b) uncapped calling to New Zealand mobiles 2 GB of national 3G data and 2500 texts (fair use policy applicable).
Nokia Lumia 8000 features the latest Windows Phone 7.5 software, and an 8 MP camera with Carl Zeiss wide-angle lens, HD Video Recording and dedicated camera button with touch-to-focus; 16 GB of memory and access to SkyDrive; Nokia Drive turn-by-turn voice navigation (free maps available for 95 countries); Windows Marketplace App Store and WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities.
Analysts predict that Windows Phone software will be number two worldwide by 2015 and Microsoft is expecting that Windows Phones will grab a 15-20% share of New Zealand’s smartphone market over the next 24 months.
“Frost & Sullivan predicts that by 2015, 477 million smartphones will be sold in Asia Pacific, representing one of the key growth regions for the future,” Microsoft New Zealand Consumer Channels Group Director David Rayner said.
Nokia Managing Director Chris Carr said the partnership with his company allows both brands to gain a stronger foothold in this part of the world.
“Nokia Lumia will change the way people think about Nokia. It signifies a new beginning for the company, bringing together the best of Nokia’s handset design and services with the latest Windows Phone software,” he said.
“Interest locally has been extremely positive. We are pleased that our operator partner, 2degrees, will be bringing the Nokia Lumia 800 to its smartphone range.”
For more information, please visit www.2degreesmobile.co.nz
Impressive growth
Launched in August 2009, 2degrees Mobile has significantly lowered the cost of making mobile phone calls and texts for Kiwis. The company has committed over $350 million to building New Zealand’s third mobile phone network.
Company shareholders include US-based mobile communications specialists, Trilogy International Partners, as well as Hautaki Trust and Communication Venture Partners. The combined shareholders bring a wealth of international experience and knowledge, which is of huge benefit to New Zealand mobile users. More information at: www.2degreesmobile.co.nz
Editor’s Note: 2degrees Mobile Limited is the sponsor of the Best Small Business Category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2012. The Company sponsored the Best Small or Medium-Sized Business Category last year.
