Vodafone's network expansion to cover 98.4% of Australia

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved Vodafone's regional network sharing deal, setting the stage for a considerable expansion of its mobile network coverage across Australia.

The expansion, expected to be operational by early 2025, will increase Vodafone's network coverage from 96 per cent to 98.4 per cent of the Australian population.

This move will see Vodafone more than double the geographical size of its mobile network from approximately 400,000 square kilometres to around one million square kilometres. The network will extend to popular holiday destinations and regional hotspots that have previously been without Vodafone’s mobile services.

Kieren Cooney, Vodafone Group Executive for Consumer, described the approval as a significant victory. "This is a huge win for customers and regional Australia, with our award-winning mobile services soon to be available in thousands of holiday destinations and regional communities across the country," Cooney stated.

The network expansion promises to disrupt the current mobile service landscape in regional Australia, which has long been dominated by a duopoly. "With this network expansion we will break the mobile duopoly that has limited customer choice in regional Australia for too long. We've listened to our customers and are excited to say Vodafone's coming to town," added Cooney.

The expansion will bring Vodafone's 4G coverage to new areas such as Cloncurry and Thursday Island in Queensland, Lachlan in Tasmania, and Wattle Flat in New South Wales. Additionally, locations including Cobar and Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Coober Pedy and Tumby Bay in South Australia, and Coral Bay and Cape Range National Park in Western Australia will transition from 3G to 4G connectivity.

Vodafone's millions of retail customers stand to benefit from the additional regional 4G coverage and the future rollout of 5G services. The expansion is expected to introduce more competition and better value for mobile services in many regional areas, which have been underserved until now.

Cooney further highlighted the potential benefits for a wide range of consumers. "This will be a game-changer for the millions of Australians in our cities and regions who want great value and mobile coverage when travelling to all the places we love to visit," said Cooney.

As early as 2025, tourists and residents in regional communities will have more options when selecting mobile deals. The enhancement promises to provide better connectivity and competitive pricing in various remote locations, catering to diverse user needs.

Vodafone’s partnership with Optus for this regional network sharing deal underscores a strategic move to bolster its presence outside urban centres. The collaboration aims to tap into Australia's vast outback, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service reliability.

The network expansion aligns with Vodafone’s broader strategy to ensure its customers receive high-quality mobile services regardless of their location. The initiative will facilitate seamless connectivity from the bustling cityscapes to the serene bushlands, marking an extensive reach in the Australian telecommunication sector.