XT relaunched with risk-free trial

Telecom last night relaunched its marketing campaign for its fast, but troubled, XT mobile network with an advertising campaign led by chief executive Paul Reynolds and a 30-day risk-free trial.

Customers who signed up to an eligible 24-month plan when buying any XT mobile or mobile broadband T-stick could return the product within 30 days if they were not happy with their experience, and receive a refund, Telecom head of mobile marketing Liz Wilson said yesterday.

"We designed XT so Kiwis could enjoy seamless and superior mobile services. The 30-day trial means people can now give XT a try risk-free."

The launch of the risk-free trial would be supported by a marketing campaign featuring a range of Telecom team members from across the country.

Dr Reynolds appears in some of the advertisements and in one, seems to be fishing at his favourite spot, Greenstone Valley, near Glenorchy.

In the campaign, Dr Reynolds will praise Kiwis for their fearlessness.

"You know, the thing I really admire about New Zealanders is your fearlessness - it's that almost mad 'give it a go' mindset.

"And when it all goes pear-shaped - as I found out lately - there is that old Kiwi 'pick yourself up by the bootstraps and give it another go' sort of thinking."

He asks New Zealanders to give XT another shot now it is working exactly as it should have done.

The advertisements will run for three weeks as Telecom offers the no-risk trials.

The company hopes the campaign will boost sales hurt by major breakdowns to the network in the early part of the year. The worst-affected areas were in the South Island, mainly south of Christchurch.

Analysts estimate the outages cost Telecom between $15 million and $25 million in cash and that Alcatel Lucent, the company responsible for installing the network, might have to pay up to $100 million in compensation.