2G is known as 2nd generation and was built in the early 1990s. This is our original GSM network, which handles voice calls and text messages. We keep our 2G network in great shape, and it works seamlessly with 3G and 4G for reliability and quality of service.

3G is known as 3rd generation. 3G refers to our fast mobile network that provides mobile calls, mobile internet access, video calls and mobile TV. Our 3G network covers 98% of where Kiwis live, work and play.

4G: Known as 4th generation or LTE, 4G is a high speed data network for mobile phones and devices. It provides almost instantaneous web page loading, faster photo viewing on Facebook and video streaming without the wait. Vodafone launched NZ's first 4G network in Auckland in February 2013 and it's still NZ's biggest.

4G Extended - 700MHz: 4G Extended uses the 700MHz frequency of the 4G spectrum which is typically used in rural areas. 4G Extended complements our 4G network on the 1800MHz frequency.

Band 3 is a 4G standard that uses the 1800MHz frequency.

Band 7 is a 4G standard that uses the 2600MHz frequency.

Band 28 is a 4G standard that uses the 700MHz frequency.

CAT 6 LTE is a technology capable of delivering speeds up to 301.5 Mbit/s by using multiple aerials.

Carrier Aggregation combines separate 4G bands to boost speed and capacity. Vodafone launched dual-band 4G in May 2014 and followed with tri-band Carrier Aggregation in August 2014.

Dual Carrier or DC-HSPA: This technology combines two 3G channels together to provide a faster data session. Where 3G can deliver up to 21 Mbps, Dual Carrier is capable of delivering up to 42 Mbps. Actual speeds will vary depending on your signal level and distance from the network tower.

LTE is a standard for high-speed wireless communication and it stands for Long Term Evolution. It can provide significantly higher data transfer rates than older technologies (with speeds up to 300Mbps download and 75Mbps upload) . LTE also offers reduced latency during data transfer and its capacity can be scaled up to meet future bandwidth demands.

Millimetre wave: This can also be shown as mmWave or mmW. Millimetre wave is a part of the radio spectrum from 30 gigahertz to 300 gigahertz, and it uses a very short wavelength.
Millimetre wave will be used by 5G technology. 5G is not limited to using just mmWave; 5G can also use low band frequencies and sub-6GHz frequencies.

Sure Signal: Sure Signal is a device that boosts indoor 3G mobile phone signal. It's a great solution for Vodafone customers who suffer from 'low bars' at home or work.

VoLTE: stands for Voice over Long Term Evolution. VoLTE allows voice calls to be carried across a 4G data network instead of 3G or 2G. Vodafone first trialled VoLTE technology in early 2015. Vodafone now supports VoLTE, and was the first NZ carrier to launch VoLTE, on June 6, 2019.

U900: 3G on the 900MHz frequency, used mostly for rural and marine areas, where there's a greater distance between cell sites. It also provides better indoor 3G coverage.

U2100: 3G on the 2100MHz frequency. U2100 is used more commonly in urban areas, where every cell site has more traffic to manage.

UFB: stands for Ultra Fast Broadband. UFB is a New Zealand government initiative to deliver fast broadband internet access, using fibre, to 75% of the population over a 10-year period. The aim is a minimum speed of 100 Mbps downloading and 50 Mbps uploading.