Vodafone expands 4G mobile services in regional Tasmania
Vodafone brings more choice to the residents of Takone
Vodafone, together with Minister for Regional Communications, Fiona Nash, today announced a new 4G mobile site at Takone, Tasmania, marking the introduction of Vodafone voice and data services to areas including Takone, Henrietta, Turkey Hill, Calder, Kellatier and Oonah.
Built under round two of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, the new 4G site will deliver a total of more than 86 square kilometres of 4G mobile coverage¹, provide connectivity along key transport routes including the Murchison Highway. A new site in nearby Yolla will be completed in 2018, further expanding Vodafone’s coverage in the area.
Separate to the Mobile Black Spot Program, Vodafone is investing $28 million in total on new and upgraded sites in Tasmania between 2013 and the end of 2018. By the end of next year, Vodafone will have built 57 new sites in Tasmania in five years, including 17 new sites this year alone at a cost of around $5 million.
Vodafone is committed to investing in regional areas where it makes sense to do so, and is also pushing for regulatory arrangements that will deliver Australia’s best opportunity to drive mobile investment.
Vodafone Regional Manager, Kevin Biles, said the expansion of the network was part of Vodafone’s continued commitment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and services in Tasmania, 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, with all of the economic and social benefits that come with it,” said Mr Biles.
“Our customers appreciate having choice in how they connect with each other, and use mobile technology in many aspects of their lives.
“People living in the Braddon electorate will now benefit from enhanced coverage and network performance, giving them greater choice of provider for their mobile phone services.”
Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash said the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program would deliver 765 mobile phone towers covering some 4,400 coverage black spots across the nation, extending new and upgraded handheld coverage to 86,300 square kilometres of regional and remote Australia.
“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 myself, I know how important mobile coverage is and I’m proud the Coalition is delivering it to New England.”
Vodafone customers “won’t need to upgrade their smartphone”
Mr Biles 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 Biles.
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.
To find out where Vodafone has 4G, see vodafone.com.au/coverage.
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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. 4G in selected areas in Australia.