After switching on their 4G+ network in Melbourne last month, Vodafone has today announced that customers in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast can now experience the new network in their area.
Over 1000 4G+ sites across NSW and Queensland have now been activated, with more sites to be switched on before Christmas. This expansion of 4G services is part of Vodafones bid to expand their 4G and 4G+ network coverage to reach 95% of Australia’s metropolitan population by the end of the year.
The Vodafone 4G+ network uses the 850MHz 3G spectrum, which Vodafone has re-farmed to use for 4G. The lower frequency allows for better building penetration than their current 1800MHz network, but when together the two networks will add to overall coverage, making for a better experience for users.
The new service will be available to current Vodafone 4G customers, with Vodafone advising that the majority of its customers’ existing 4G devices are already compatible. Vodafone’s Chief Technical Officer, Benoit Hanssen, said
We’ve tested all the major smartphones to see how they perform on our new 4G network, including the popular iPhone 5 and 6 models and Samsung GALAXY. What it means for customers is that they’ll notice the 4G or LTE symbol on their phone more often, meaning they have more reliable download speeds.
It’s a good deal all round for Vodafone customers, and re-farming the 850MHz 3G network seems like a great idea, adding low-frequency 4G to their network. To check and see if you’re in a Vodafone 4G area, check out the coverage tracker on the Vodafone website.
Would be nice to have some 4G love in Rural NSW