Networks

Mobile Networks in Australia

There are 3 major mobile network owners in Australia.

1. Telstra

2. Optus

3. Vodafone Hutchison Australia (and 3)

Annoyingly they each use different 3G bands (despite in the past harmoniously sticking with GSM900 and GSM1800). This can make choosing an applicable handset confusing!

1. Telstra

3G UMTS850 (Australia wide 3G network, aka NextG)

3G UMTS2100 (3GIS Network shared with 3)

2G GSM900

2G GSM1800

Telstra NextG covers approximately 99% of the Australian population or 2,200,000km²

Telstra 2G covers approximately 96% of the Australian population or 600,000km²

Telstra 3G covers approximately 56% of the Australian population

Best Handset to buy: GSM900+1800, UMTS850+2100 (note: the only frequency you should ever need on Telstra is UMTS850 as their NextG network is Australia wide)

2. Optus

3G UMTS2100

3G UMTS900 (rural network)

2G GSM900

2G GSM1800

Optus combined 3G coverage covers approximately 97% of the Australian population or 690,000km²

Optus 2G covers approximately 96% of the Australian population or 600,000km²

Best Handset to buy: GSM900+1800, UMTS900+2100

3. Vodafone Hutchison Australia

3G UMTS2100

3G UMTS900 (rural network)

3G UMTS850 (limited metro network)

2G GSM900

2G GSM1800

Vodafone 2G covers 94.52% of the Australian population

Vodafone 3G covers 94% of the Australian population

Vodafone 3G UMTS850 is rolling out in limited metropolitan areas to ease congestion caused by iPhone users

Best Handset to buy: GSM900+1800, UMTS850+900+2100 (note: UMTS850+900+2100 capable handsets are few and far between, choose UMTS900+2100 instead)

4. 3 VHA

3G UMTS2100 (3GIS Network shared with Telstra)

3G UMTS850 (Limited Telstra NextG roaming - additional charges may apply)

2G GSM900 (Vodafone)

2G GSM1800 (Vodafone)

2G GSM900 (Telstra 2G roaming - additional charges may apply)

2G GSM1800 (Telstra 2G roaming - additional charges may apply)

3 3G covers 56% of the Australian population (i.e. metropolitan areas only)

3 2G covers 94.52% of the Australian population

3 3G roaming covers 96% of the Australian population (additional charges may apply)

3 2G roaming covers 96% of the Australian population (additional charges may apply)

Best Handset to buy: GSM900+1800, UMTS2100+850 (note: need a UMTS2100 handset as otherwise you'll be constantly roaming)