Last month we brought you our exclusive preview of Vodafone’s new 4G network, and boy was it fast. At the time, and for the last month or so, the network has been restricted to existing Vodafone customers with 4G capable handsets; new customers have not been able to access the 4G network.
That is, until now.
As of today, Vodafone has flipped the switch on its 4G network (so to speak) allowing new and upgrading customers to have access to their new network for the first time. These users should, hopefully, be in for a nice surprise — when we tested the 4G network, we were proper impressed with the speed and coverage, not just of the 4G footprint, but also Vodafone’s huge investment in increasing its 3G and 3G+ (i.e. faster 850 MHz network) as well.
Vodafone isn’t resting on its laurels, either. By the end of the year, they’re planning to have three times as many 4G enabled sites as they do today, and that’s no mean feat. Customers who are tempted to try Vodafone’s 4G network, or who may have left in the past due to network issues, are covered by Vodafone’s 30 day network guarantee, meaning that if for some reason you sign up and decide the network doesn’t work for you, you’re free to leave (subject to a few terms and conditions that are clearly explained to you when you sign up).
We’ve also got a list of key suburbs where Vodafone’s coverage is — according to them, mind you — really kick ass.
New South Wales
- South West: Liverpool, Miller, Prestons, Denham Court, Leppington, Hoxton Park, as well as other parts of the south west.
- East: Eastgardens, Maroubra, Coogee Waverley, Randwick, Bondi, Bondi Beach and Double Bay as well as other parts of Sydney’s east.
- North West: Pennant Hills, Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Acacia Gardens, Kings Park, Kellyville, as well as other parts of the north west.
- Inner West: Annandale, Leichhardt, Birchgrove, Balmain, Marrickville, Hurlstone Park, Strathfield, Burwood, Croydon Park, Lidcombe and Chiswick, as well as other parts of the inner west.
- Central Coast: Bateau Bay and Berkeley Vale.
- West: Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Orchard Hills, St Marys, Eastern Creek, Smithfield, as well as other parts of Sydney’s west.
Victoria
- Melbourne, Chadstone, Fitzroy North, St Kilda Rd, Abbotsford, Southbank, Clayton, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Moonee Ponds, Calder, Melton, Hoppers Crossing
- Albert Park, St Kilda, East Malvern, South Yarra, Richmond, Frankston and Tullamarine, to name a few.
SA
- CBD and suburbs like Smithfield, Enfield, West Lakes, West Hindmarsh and Glenside.
WA
- Suburbs in and around Perth including the CBD, Northbridge, Claremont, Karawara, Kiara, Tamala Park and Joondalup
Queensland
- Suburbs in and around Brisbane including University of Queensland, Milton and Auchenflower, CBD, Bowen Hills and the Valley. Coorparoo, Stafford.
- Gold Coast: Also Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast, Broadbeach, Bundall, Robena, Southport, Mermaid Beach and Elanora.
So, what do you make of all this? Are you keen on Vodafone’s 4G network? Will you give it a try?
Here’s some key links to point you to further information:
Im on a 4gb data plan. I was informed id have to go on a new 4gb data plan because they didn’t have 4G in mind when I took my plan. Prior information was that all accounts would be 4g, which is partly why I got a 4g phone. I was specifically called and told id been provisioned for 4 G.. Until recently I was informed id have 4G in 4 hours. . However this is not the case when im in town within 4g coverage. Why can’t these guys just stick to their word. I won’t be telling anyone… Read more »
Sat 13th – Vodafone 4G turns OFF network in Melbourne CBD under weight of mass account updates to activate all accounts to 4G by Monday 15th.
Spoke Vodafone tech support today they havent been made aware that Voda General Mgmt of Networks was going live today thus they ate NOT able to provision 4G to all customers as publicly promised. They are only able to follow their provisioning schedule that means old and new customers will only at best get 4G by hopefully fingers crossed the end of July. Therefore the press release is another vodafail. I think ausdroid should put a permanent disclaimer at the bottom of everyone vodafone press release that ausdroid publishes that they have never been responsible for any of the hyped… Read more »
Hey Jeff, I’m the Social Care Manager at Vodafone and can clarify this one for you. We got 4G ready to roll for everyone this morning, but the message didn’t get to everyone on time. So we announced it, but hadn’t gotten to all of our teams internally yet.
Our care team (or our stores) can definitely activate 4G for anyone with the right phone / plan as of today.
Not much else to say other than a heartfelt sorry for your call.
Tim
Tim did all the tech stuff earlier, now the story has changed again and no its not a people communications malfunction after all as you say but a backend computer glitch. When you get the story straight I suggest you put out another news flash that you have had another Vodafail bigtime !!!!!!!!
P.S. Vodafone no apologies just fix it pronto and stop using every excuse in the 101 book of excuses. Just tell the truth….
As a Social Care Mgr do you care to fix it !!!!
No, they want to get you on a new data plan.. This defies all previous advice and promise. . The point is the point. You lie.
so in fact its existing customers willing to go on a new data plan who will have to drop their current 4gb plan and spend more for 4G network access. Once again this defies all previous promise and reassuring to customers. . Only in the telco industry. Its simply not the right thing to do.
True. Besides, there’s big holes to fill for coverage, practicality the whole north n north east are empty apart from the few very small residential blocks of a 2 kms covered. Maybe hoppers crossing or something has a small patch of 4g. So what, big deal. The 3g+ is good. At least that much has relevance. It’s at least honest by impressions that 4G won’t arrive as fast as it performs. These guys really need to shake n get a move on now they have built up expectations. until all of this I was satisfied with the service, in some… Read more »
You forgot to mention that its in wollongong.
Sitting in my bedroom I am getting 18mbps download and 4mbps upload on an iphone 5. Pretty pleased.
Meh Vodafone still stuck and I am 5km from Perth CBD.