Vodafone 4G to get indoor coverage boost next year

Vodafone's 4G coverage is set to get a boost next year, after the telco successfully bid for 2x5MHz of the 700MHz spectrum. 

Since the 700MHz band is a lower frequency, it provides better signal penetration, which often results in stronger indoor coverage. In addition, 700MHz is longer range than other 4G frequencies, and as such, has been used by Telstra and Optus for expanding coverage in regional and rural Australia.

Telstra and Optus have been using 700MHz since the start of 2015, but Vodafone decided not to participate in the initial auction in 2013. The spectrum was previously used for Australia's analogue TV services.

Vodafone is able to start using its newly licensed 700MHz spectrum from April 1st next year.

TPG successfully bid for 2x10MHz of the 700MHz spectrum in the same auction, which it will use to build Australia's fourth mobile network, with a goal of reaching 80% of the population.

Alex Choros

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Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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