Vodafone has announced today that its innovative new (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) MVNO platform is now open for business, with the first new partner in MyRepublic having announced their mobile plans this week.

Tony Baird, Vodafone’s Wholesale & Infrastructure Director, said, “Customer choice is really important for a healthy mobile ecosystem and with our new MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) Reseller product, Vodafone Infrastructure Partners (VIP) is offering resellers a really easy way to enter the mobile market and access the awesome power of the Vodafone Smart Network.

“VIP, which exists under the Vodafone NZ umbrella but works as a seperate Wholesale entity, believes this will be a positive move for consumers, driving more competition in market and giving New Zealand consumers more options in terms of pricing and plans, and unlocking the relatively nascent wholesale mobile market in New Zealand.

Vodafone NZ is committed to building a more awesome Aotearoa through its award winning Smart Network and competitive pricing. Allowing other providers to offer their customers access to the network, which already reaches 99% of the population, is a win win.”

Baird said that VIP’s innovative new MVNO product brings the company in line with other international telco and connectivity companies. “MVNO sales have been a core part of many telcos across the world and currently MVNO’s in NZ only make up approximately 1.8% of the market. It’s our belief that the conditions are now right to help NZ grow its MVNO market, and Vodafone will work with partners that can complement our brand and help us increase our network utlisation. Consumers will in turn benefit from a wider choice, and we welcome the competition.”

“We’re already known in New Zealand for our award winning Smart Network, and now we’ll be known for supporting resellers to break into the market for the benefit of consumers.”

In March of 2022 Vodafone NZ scored the highest overall for data and voice call quality in an independent certification report conducted by the global leader in mobile benchmarking Umlaut, now part of Accenture. Umlaut awarded Vodafone the best mobile network in New Zealand and our partners will also be able to offer their customers access to this award winning network.

Baird says Vodafone is secure in its position as one of the top network providers in the country. “Vodafone has been undergoing significant transformation in recent years, moving beyond just a telco into a technology and connectivity company. We’ve invested to build a seamless, dynamic and intuitive MVNO product, paired with innovative commercial constructs in a move that makes perfect sense and aligns with our mission to build a more awesome Aotearoa for consumers.”

“We’re excited by the MyRepublic announcement and can’t wait to announce more partnerships that are currently in the pipeline.”

For more information please visit https://www.vodafone.co.nz/our-networks/infrastructure-partners/.