Auckland, Aug 3 NZPA - Mobile phone operator 2degrees today marked its first year of operations by launching its national 3G network.

Chief Executive Eric Hertz also announced a range of data plans which he described as "game-changing".

"On day one we halved standard prepay rates for calling and texting and recently we launched a range of plans that make it even more affordable to call and text anyone in New Zealand," he said.

"Now we're changing the game again, this time giving mobile broadband the 2degrees treatment."

Mr Hertz said customers could connect to the internet using 2degrees' mobile broadband through a handset or USB modem, with data packs being offered from 50 megabytes for $6 to 10 gigabytes for $150.

He said the validity periods were from 30 to 90 days, depending on the pack, making 2degrees the first telecommunications company to provide bundles that allowed New Zealanders to keep unused data beyond 30 days.

However, the packs above 50MB could be used only in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Mr Hertz said 2degrees 3G network, which covered 97 percent of where New Zealanders lived and worked, was separate to its existing 2G network.