Networks

Vodafone’s Boosting Their 2G Network To EDGE

voda-edgeI must have slept through the Vodafone announcement that as part of their ongoing 3G upgrade, which should finish by the end of this month and brings 3G service to 94 per cent of the population, they were also boosting their 2G network. But boosting it they are!

Tipsters Brendan and Ryan both alerted me to the fact that their phones (an iPhone and a Blackberry), when roaming on Voda’s 2G network, were telling them they were on EDGE rather than GPRS speeds. When I contacted Vodafone for confirmation, they gave me this response:

“Vodafone is currently upgrading its 3G network to reach areas covering 94 per cent of the Australian population, due for completion by Monday, 31 August 2009.

Vodafone’s regional 2G network will remain active and will switch from GPRS to EDGE technology, as part of the upgrade.”

So not only do Voda customers get a free boost to a 3G network, but when they roam onto Voda’s 2G network, they’ll get EDGE data speeds? I think I’ve found my next Aussie Telco…

[Thanks Brandon and Ryan!]

Comments

  • Chad

    Yay!

  • YAY! I wasnt sure if you (Nick B.) got my email!

  • Vic

    My first generation iPhone is smiling in anticipation!

  • matt

    cool. i’m a mobile noob, does this mean you will get at least edge anywhere you can get signal?

  • I noticed that. Would’ve happened about 2 weeks ago at least.

  • Come on Optus you can do EDGE too and while your at it you should upgrade your damn 3G network, I came from Telstra and sure do notice the difference.

  • Winophile

    This is huge news that should have been shouted from the roof tops. Now probably the best value telco in oz.

  • Chris

    Haven’t Telstra had significant EDGE coverage for years?

    And let’s not forget that Vodafone’s regional coverage is WELL below par; at the very least in Victoria. My breif stint with Voda pretty much guaranteed that in any regional area I would either have zero coverage, or be on a tower two towns over… with no ability to make a call.

  • Go Vodafone! Pumped.

    Now if only we could get some serious LTE action here

  • Bennish

    Hurry up and do this optus, so your virgin mobile and other subsidiary customers can enjoy edge!!!!

  • daimo

    I noticed this on the weekend in Sunny Seymour – Voda rocks!

  • James

    Would the lack of service on my blackberry on vodafone in Perth yesterday, 2nd Sept, be due to this upgrade? I thought my phone was the problem but today saw I was connected to EDGE for the first time. Hadnt heard of it so I googled it and came across this article.

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