Auckland, May 6 NZPA - Vodafone has told the High Court Telecom should be stopped from rolling out its new mobile phone network next week, as it will cause interference to Vodafone customers.

Vodafone sought an interim injunction at the High Court at Auckland today, saying Telecom had not fitted its new transmitters with filters which would prevent interference to Vodafone customers.

The new Telecom network was due to be launched on May 13, having twice been brought forward.

Vodafone's lawyer Julian Miles told Justice Geoffrey Venning that Telecom knew its transmitters were producing rogue emissions within allotted frequencies for other providers.

Mr Miles said emissions made in recent months while Telecom tested its transmitters had already caused dropped calls and difficulty in making calls.

He said this could be dangerous given that many emergency calls were made on Vodafone mobiles.

Given that the testing was only carried out at 15 to 20 percent of the transmitters' power, the interference would be much greater after the May 13 launch, Mr Miles said.

He said Telecom knew the transmitters were causing problems and argued it was bringing forward its launch date hoping its competitors would not try to stop it and then negotiate afterwards.

"Vodafone has no difficulty competing with Telecom on an even playing field," Mr Miles said.

"What we say is that the playing field has been altered illegally, knowingly, and deliberately, and an interim injunction is required."

Vodafone only sought to delay the launch, not stop it. (Proceeding)

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