Last month we brought you our exclusive preview of Vodafone’s new 4G network, and boy was it fast. At the time, and for the last month or so, the network has been restricted to existing Vodafone customers with 4G capable handsets; new customers have not been able to access the 4G network.
That is, until now.
As of today, Vodafone has flipped the switch on its 4G network (so to speak) allowing new and upgrading customers to have access to their new network for the first time. These users should, hopefully, be in for a nice surprise — when we tested the 4G network, we were proper impressed with the speed and coverage, not just of the 4G footprint, but also Vodafone’s huge investment in increasing its 3G and 3G+ (i.e. faster 850 MHz network) as well.
Vodafone isn’t resting on its laurels, either. By the end of the year, they’re planning to have three times as many 4G enabled sites as they do today, and that’s no mean feat. Customers who are tempted to try Vodafone’s 4G network, or who may have left in the past due to network issues, are covered by Vodafone’s 30 day network guarantee, meaning that if for some reason you sign up and decide the network doesn’t work for you, you’re free to leave (subject to a few terms and conditions that are clearly explained to you when you sign up).
We’ve also got a list of key suburbs where Vodafone’s coverage is — according to them, mind you — really kick ass.
New South Wales
- South West: Liverpool, Miller, Prestons, Denham Court, Leppington, Hoxton Park, as well as other parts of the south west.
- East: Eastgardens, Maroubra, Coogee Waverley, Randwick, Bondi, Bondi Beach and Double Bay as well as other parts of Sydney’s east.
- North West: Pennant Hills, Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Acacia Gardens, Kings Park, Kellyville, as well as other parts of the north west.
- Inner West: Annandale, Leichhardt, Birchgrove, Balmain, Marrickville, Hurlstone Park, Strathfield, Burwood, Croydon Park, Lidcombe and Chiswick, as well as other parts of the inner west.
- Central Coast: Bateau Bay and Berkeley Vale.
- West: Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Orchard Hills, St Marys, Eastern Creek, Smithfield, as well as other parts of Sydney’s west.
Victoria
- Melbourne, Chadstone, Fitzroy North, St Kilda Rd, Abbotsford, Southbank, Clayton, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Moonee Ponds, Calder, Melton, Hoppers Crossing
- Albert Park, St Kilda, East Malvern, South Yarra, Richmond, Frankston and Tullamarine, to name a few.
SA
- CBD and suburbs like Smithfield, Enfield, West Lakes, West Hindmarsh and Glenside.
WA
- Suburbs in and around Perth including the CBD, Northbridge, Claremont, Karawara, Kiara, Tamala Park and Joondalup
Queensland
- Suburbs in and around Brisbane including University of Queensland, Milton and Auchenflower, CBD, Bowen Hills and the Valley. Coorparoo, Stafford.
- Gold Coast: Also Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast, Broadbeach, Bundall, Robena, Southport, Mermaid Beach and Elanora.
So, what do you make of all this? Are you keen on Vodafone’s 4G network? Will you give it a try?
Here’s some key links to point you to further information:
