Vodafone expands 4G mobile coverage along Capricorn Highway

Vodafone, together with Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd, today announced 4G services¹ are now available west of Emerald, along the Capricorn Highway.

Under round one of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, the new site located along the Capricorn Highway will deliver a significant 408 square kilometres of additional coverage to 51 homes west of Emerald toward the gemfields.

By the end of 2017, Vodafone will deliver another site in Dingo to extend its mobile network within the Flynn electorate.

Vodafone Chief Technology Officer Kevin Millroy said Vodafone’s new site along the Capricorn Highway is part of the company’s continued network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and services in Queensland, particularly in regional areas.

“By working with the government as part of the Mobile Black Spot Program, we are expanding access to mobile coverage for regional Australians and all of the economic and social benefits it enables,” said Mr Millroy.

“Our customers appreciate having choice in how they connect with each other, and use mobile technology in many aspects of their lives.

“People living west of Emerald will now benefit from enhanced coverage and network performance, giving them greater choice for their mobile phone services.”

Mr O’Dowd said the new tower is good news for residents who have been fighting to receive adequate mobile coverage.

“The lack of reliable mobile coverage has been a key problem in this electorate for a long time, particularly along the Capricorn Highway. This is why I’ve been an advocate for the Mobile Black Spot Program from the start,” he said.

“It’s good to finally see people in rural Australia being given access to the same network services as their city counterparts.

“The federal government has committed over $220 million to addressing mobile coverage blackspots across the country, allowing many rural communities, including twenty-four in Flynn, the opportunity to better access telecommunications services.

“We are determined to see competition in the market place and I’m very pleased to see Vodafone investing in the connectivity of Flynn communities.”

Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash said round one of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program would deliver 499 mobile phone towers covering some 3,000 coverage black spots across the nation, extending coverage to 26,000 homes and businesses across 165,000 square kilometres.

“I aim to help build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and good telecommunications is a big part of that,” Minister Nash said.

“Being a farmer from central NSW myself, I know how important mobile coverage is and I’m proud the Coalition is delivering it along the Capricorn Highway.”

Vodafone customers “won’t need to upgrade their smartphone”

Mr Millroy said all the major smartphones already work on Vodafone’s low-band 4G 850MHz network, including the popular iPhone and Samsung GALAXY models.

“What it means for customers is that they’ll notice the 4G or LTE symbol on their phone more often,” said Mr Millroy.

Low-band spectrum, such as 850MHz, is well suited to providing high quality indoor mobile coverage as the lower frequency signal penetrates buildings better than higher frequency signals. Low-band spectrum is also well suited to providing coverage over broad areas in regional Australia.

Risk-free network user trial

To encourage people to trial its network, Vodafone is offering new customers a money-back 30 Day Network Satisfaction Guarantee².

Under the 30 Day Network Satisfaction Guarantee, if a new postpaid customer is not satisfied with Vodafone’s network within the first 30 days, they can cancel their contract, no questions asked. Vodafone will also refund any monthly access fees and monthly handset instalments paid by the customer as long as the equipment and device are returned to a Vodafone store within 10 days of making the claim. The 30 Day Network Satisfaction Guarantee is also available for business customers with up to 9 connections.

In conjunction with the 30 Day Network Satisfaction Guarantee, Vodafone is also offering unlimited data³ for the first month to new customers who sign up to a selected 12 or 24 month phone plan to use within Australia.

Mr Millroy said the company’s new network guarantee demonstrates that Vodafone is prepared to walk the talk on network satisfaction and ultimately put the power in people’s hands.

“Our new guarantee is an invitation for Australians who may be feeling unsatisfied with their current provider to experience everything Vodafone has to offer,” said Mr Millroy.

“We have invested significantly in our 4G network in recent years, and Vodafone’s 4G network is performing better than ever. We are proud to offer a guarantee which demonstrates our commitment to being transparent about our network performance. With our new program, people don’t need to take our word for it, they can experience the difference for themselves.”

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Notes to editors

Vodafone’s interactive regional mobile investment map includes the locations and timings of the 112 sites in regional Australia.

1: 4G is available with a compatible 4G device. To find out where we have 4G see vodafone.com.au/coverage.

2: If you’ve signed up to any new plan and you don’t love our network within the first 30 days, you’re welcome to cancel by calling 1300551198. You must pay for what you’ve used (incl Mobile Payment Plans) up until your number is fully transferred and device and equipment in original packaging with proof of purchase returned to a Vodafone (not dealer) store within 10 days of your claim. One claim per person. Accessories not refunded. This guarantee does not affect any other rights or remedies you may have under consumer law. Full terms and conditions at vodafone.com.au/guarantee.

3: Personal Use Only. Available until 30/06/17 for new customers signing up to a 12 or 24 month plan (excludes Business Shared Infinite, Business Flex, Red Business Shared & Red Business Grow and upgrades). If you perform a Rate Plan Change during the unlimited data period, your eligibility ceases & additional data fees will apply. Fair Use Policy applies: see www.vodafone.com.au/aboutvodafone/legal/fairusepolicy. For the first billing month any additional data usage within Australia will be free.