High Speed Internet Access (HSIA): Mobile Broadband

Vodafone increased its customer base by 9.6% in the last 12 months (up to the end of March). They gained half a million customers in the last 2 years.

Vodafone Australia chief executive Russell Hewitt commented on the impact that mobile broadband and mobile Internet services have had on this growth. He said, “Australians have an insatiable appetite for mobile services” .

Vodafone mobile broadband offering of 5GB for $39 per month has clearly been a good move for them.

Australian IT covered the announcement.

Vodafone have announced that they will expand their HSDPA network beyond the major metropolitan areas and will reach 95% of the population by the end of 2008.

Currently they have a 3G joint venture with Optus to cover the major metropolitan areas and this will continue. The expansion of the network is being undertaken separately.

Businesses with mobile work forces will have increased choices by the end of next year with Telstra Next G seeing increasing competition from Vodafone, Optus and Hutchison.