Vodafone Coverage Map - check your coverage
Coverage is one of the most important aspects of any Vodafone Mobile Phone purchase. Be sure to check your coverage using this handy Vodafone coverage checker below.
Vodafone Coverage Checker
Simply enter your location into the map below to confirm that you have mobile coverage from Vodafone. Areas highlighted in Purple, Blue or Aqua indicate 3G coverage. Those areas depicted in Yellow suggest 2G coverage. Any areas which do not have a colour overlay indicate no Vodafone Coverage.
Do You Have Vodafone Coverage?
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The New Vodafone 850MHz Network
In June 2009 Vodafone Australia officially merged with the Australian subsidiary of Hutchison 3, better known simply as '3 Mobile' to become known as Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Ltd, or VHA. This meant the Australian arm of one of the largest telecommunication companies in the world was now made up of three former companies operating in Australia; Vodafone, 3, and Crazy Johns. The merger gave the new company more than seven and a half million Australian customers, all sharing the 900MHz and 2100MHz Vodafone network.
Vodafone Network Difficulties
By the last few months of 2010 the Vodafone network began experiencing serious difficulties. Call quality was becoming affected as was voicemail, data speeds and SMS. Its many millions of Australian customers started complaining and it was not long before the mainstream media picked up on what was going on and its problems magnified. The company apologised to all those who were affected and some customers were allowed to close their accounts without being penalised. Nearly 23,000 Vodafone network customers proposed the filing of a class action against the company but it never actually got off the ground due to the lack of funds.
$1.7 Billion Dollar Upgrade
In an effort to restore public confidence in the Vodafone network and to build a brighter Australian future for VHA, the company announced in April 2011 that it was going to invest $1.7 billion in upgrading and building a new 850MHz Australia wide network. Along with the new network it began offering a Vodafone Network Guarantee for its customers. All new post paid customers who also purchased a mobile device, tablet, or smartphone with their plan could return the device within 30 days of starting their contract if they weren't satisfied, obliged to pay only for what data they had actually used until the date of cancellation.
In carrying out the national upgrade of its Vodafone network, VHA prioritised its 2G and 3G radio access network (RAN). Replacing their base stations resulted in about 8,000 sites having new equipment installed with the latest Huawei Single RAN and new Huawei network equipment installed at a further 2,200 brand new base stations. All to be completed within 18 months. The company also assured all existing customers that their mobile broadband and phones would remain compatible with the new equipment as it was being rolled out.
VHA doesn't plan to stop when the present roll out is completed. They intend to continue their investment program to ensure the whole Vodafone network is 4G ready when it becomes more widely available. This will then deliver far greater coverage and data speeds compared to those presently being experienced with the super fast 3G network.
Adding the 850MHz capability to the Vodafone network has also increased its overall coverage area that was seriously inhibited with the use of 900MHz and 2100MHz alone. 850MHz is a far better technology that actually compliments the existing Vodafone network. All Vodafone customers stand to benefit from the roll out, not just the new customers as call and data traffic will move between whatever networks that are available in any given area. This will result in an improved connection experience for all Vodafone customers.
Vodafone and NBN Working Together
Running alongside the $1.7 billion dollar upgrade taking place Australia wide within the Vodafone network, the company is also closely cooperating with the Australian Government and the roll out of the fibre optic National Broadband Network (NBN). Vodafone has already connected its first customers to the NBN. These Vodafone customers are now able to experience high quality mobile, pay TV and super fast broadband services that have never been available in Australia before.
Vodafone is also trialling the provision of high definition movies through FetchTV. It is already the first mobile phone operator to test femcell technology with Vodafone Expand through the added performance made available to Vodafone customers with the help of the NBN. Vodafone Expand strengthens indoor signal strength on its 3G mobile devices resulting in improved call quality and access to the internet. These trials have been taking place in Armadale, NSW, with similar trials to take place in Kiama NSW and Brunswick Victoria this year.
