Vodafone follows Orcon with new unbundled broadband network

Vodafone has launched its new ADSL2+, unbundled broadband network called Red. The telco says it has already unbundled half of Auckland’s 41 phone exchanges and plans to have the other half unbundled by the end of October. The company says it will look to expand this to other regions after October. “Based on the market today we’d look at Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Rotorua and Taupo and of course Wellington,” chief executive Russell Stanners says in a statement, adding it would then look at Christchurch and Dunedin. Orcon launched its ADSL2+ broadband services in March through five Auckland exchanges in Glenfield, Browns Bay, Ellerslie, Mt Albert and Ponsonby. Back then Orcon announced plans to have its equipment installed in 10 Auckland exchanges by mid-year, with expansion into Wellington near the end of this year and Christchurch next year. Provincial centres were on the company's agenda after Christchurch.