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).

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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

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

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

4. 3 VHA

• 3G UMTS2100 (3GIS Network shared with Telstra)

• 3G UMTS850 (Limited Telstra NextG roaming)

• 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)

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