The network will not only improve network coverage and capacity for 3G voice and data, but will improve standard 2G voice calls as well, says the company.
The High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network will operate on 900MHz and 2100MHz spectrum with the 900MHz band promising higher coverage areas per base station for regional areas. Telstra's NextG network also uses this spectrum to allow it greater coverage areas in less dense population areas. All Vodafone mobile devices already in market will continue to operate on the new network.
The investment would be less than A$500 million according to reports with Vodafone expecting to choose a supplier early in the New Year and hopes to make a start on the network in February. It has already commenced work on its core network in preparation for the upgrade.
The new network will ultimately extend the company's coverage from 55 per cent of the country to an estimated 95 per cent by the end of next year, but some regional centres should be able to access the new service within the first Quarter.By the end of 2009, the network will reach 95 per cent of the population.
Vodafone initially partnered with Optus Communications on the roll-out of a joint 3G network which focused only on major metro areas. With these two carriers going their separate ways Australia will be serviced by three separate 3G networks cover 96 or more per cent of the population as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all outstrip Hutchison's 3 network which covers only high population areas.
Vodafone will continue its 3G joint-venture with Optus in major metropolitan areas. Optus has already announced it will go it alone in other parts of the country. However, Optus has not yet named a supplier for that extension project.
Russell Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer at Vodafone Australia said: "We're accelerating plans to upgrade our mobile network, which will provide our customers with faster download and upload speeds, better performance and improved services.
"Customers want fast, reliable access to mobile Internet content and emails on the go and they'll soon be able to experience a host of exciting, new content destinations. We're getting ready to deliver the world to our customers, when they want it, and in more places than ever before," said Russell Hewitt.
"Building a national mobile broadband network is our number one priority for 2008 and we will make it happen on time," added Hewitt. "Australian business and personal customers will soon enjoy far greater choice as Vodafone begins to deliver mobile broadband to more people in more areas than we've ever reached before."
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