Vodafone’s new network now live in South Yarra and Richmond

Aug. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Vodafone has announced the rollout of its new smartphone and mobile broadband 850MHz network in South Yarra and Richmond, bringing customers better indoor coverage, faster downloads and a stronger signal than before from Vodafone.

"We have completed major work to build a new 3G network in South Yarra, Richmond and some surrounding suburbs, delivering improved coverage and faster data downloads than before from Vodafone,” said Michael Young, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone.

"The new network uses 850MHz technology, specifically chosen to provide better indoor coverage and faster data speeds for customers with 850MHz network enabled devices, such as some smartphones, to give customers a better experience than before from the Vodafone network.”

Vodafone has prioritised its new network build throughout the inner city and suburbs of Melbourne, where demand is higher for high-speed mobile network services. Vodafone will continue its 3G network rollout over the coming months and into 2012 throughout Melbourne and around Port Phillip Bay to improve network performance for Vodafone customers.

“Smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone, mobile broadband devices and, increasingly, tablets are incredibly popular with our customers, and our new network is rolling out to accommodate the high volumes of data that customers are using,” explained Michael Young.

Vodafone recently announced that it’s ahead of schedule to deliver a better, faster and stronger network than before from Vodafone throughout Melbourne. Across the country, 775 new 850MHz sites have been added to the network and a further 810 existing 2G and 3G sites have been upgraded, including capacity increases at 330 high traffic sites. In 3G metro areas, many performance indicators have improved considerably since January including an average 18% improvement in dropped call rates and a 66%
increase in data reliability.

"A great deal of work is being put into improving network performance, and what’s most important is what our customers are experiencing,” said Michael Young. “We’re very keen to give our customers a clear view of how we’re upgrading and building new network capabilities into their local area so would encourage them to go to our website to see the improvements we have planned.”

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Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) operates the Vodafone, 3, and Crazy Johns brands. Formed in June 2009 following a merger between Vodafone Australia and Hutchison 3G Australia, VHA provides mobile services to 7.2 million customers in Australia. www.three.com.au & www.vodafone.com.au