New Zealanders lucky enough to have an iPhone 5 now have unequivocal proof that their smartphone runs fastest on Vodafone’s network in Auckland and Wellington.

Independent tests using iPhone 5 in the Auckland and Wellington CBDs on all three of New Zealand’s mobile networks, found Vodafone’s network to be significantly faster than other operators’. Vodafone was up to twice as fast as its nearest competitor in Auckland and close to 50% faster in Wellington.

The tests, conducted by Epitiro (global specialists in fixed and mobile broadband performance analysis) in early October, demonstrate the difference that widespread Dual Carrier HSPA technology makes. Vodafone currently has 170 sites using this technology - significantly more than any other carrier in New Zealand.

The report found Vodafone’s download speed was faster than any other operator in both cities. "In Auckland Vodafone NZ was 96% faster than Telecom NZ and 110% faster than 2degrees with an average speed of 14.7Mbps. In Wellington, Vodafone NZ’s service was 52% faster than Telecom NZ and 87% faster than 2degrees."

Upload speed showed similar differences. "In Auckland Vodafone NZ was twice as fast as Telecom NZ or 2degrees with an average speed of 2.4Mpbs. In Wellington Vodafone NZ’s service was 75% faster than Telecom NZ and 31% faster than 2degrees."

It found the fastest peak speed was also on the Vodafone network with 26.9Mbps clocked in Auckland.

iPhone 5 is currently the only smartphone commercially available in New Zealand capable of supporting Dual Carrier HSPA technology. Vodafone recently announced it is investing even further in this technology and will have more than 520 sites using it by the end of March 2013 (up from 170 sites today).

The upgrade, in partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks, will see all of Auckland upgraded by Christmas and Wellington’s upgrade completed by March 2013. Mobile sites being built and upgraded through the Rural Broadband Initiative will also use this technology.

Sandra Pickering, Vodafone Chief Technology Officer, says although iPhone 5 is currently the only smartphone which supports Dual Carrier HSPA, the new iPad (launched in March 2012) and a data stick (the K4605 available from Vodafone) also support this high speed.

"Vodafone is the home of the iPhone - we were first to bring it to New Zealand in 2008 and now this independent testing shows that in Auckland and Wellington iPhone 5 is fastest on Vodafone. Anyone looking for the best performance from their iPhone 5 need look no further than Vodafone."

"Whether it’s watching what your friends are up to on Facebook, downloading files from email, or watching YouTube clips - on the Vodafone network, you can do it even faster."