First Australian 4G network switched on
- 22 March, 2010 17:50
- Comments 9
Seven Network subsidiary, vividwireless, has switched on Australia’s first 4G wireless broadband network in Perth, WA.
The network has been built using WiMAX and LTE hardware from China-based vendor, Huawei, and delivered within the specified deadline of early 2010. The network is running on 150 base stations using the mobile WiMAX 802.16e standard, according to Huawei.
“Many did not believe us when we said we would launch in March,” vividwireless CEO, Martin Mercer, said in a statement. “In six months our team has done what other companies struggle to do in twice the time.”
It was built by Unwired using a quartet of vendors announced in late September. The 4G provider has also inked retail partnerships with Harvey Norman and Dick Smith.A service centre has also been established with 35 staff.
“We will be offering prices that are competitive with current fixed ADSL offerings, with the added advantage of mobility," he said. “This is a massive step forward that we expect will dramatically increase the uptake of mobile computing.”
Customers have the option to choose between pre-paid, monthly subscriptions and fixed term contracts. However, Mercer noted there were several sites that were yet to be commissioned.
According to an Unwired spokesperson, Sydney and Melbourne can expect to access 4G vividwireless services in August. Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide will be next on the agenda.
In February, Mercer was appointed Unwired’s CEO, taking over from David Spence. Both companies are Seven Network subsidiaries.
The viability of WiMAX technology is being debated, with many experts claiming the technology is not viable for Australia.
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Comments
dave
It's sad to see yet another news source fall for the marketing nonsense that the Vivid Wireless service is a 4G network.
The performance and specs of the Vivid network is a long way from the vastly superior performance we will see in the future from a true 4G network.
4G is a term that can only be applied to either WiMax Revision 2 or LTE Advanced networks (both of which will only have their respective standards finalised in 2012 at the earliest).
There is not a single commercially operating 4G network operating anywhere in the world at present and that won't change until 2012 at the earliest when LTE-Advanced or WiMax rev2 hardware is deployed.
Both the first release of LTE and WiMax are at best considered to be 3.9G networks as they fail to meet many of the key requirements to be considered a 4G network.
Vivid should be penalised or forced to retract any and all claims that they are currently a 4G network provider which is an outright false claim.
All media outlets that perpetuate this false claim should also be discredited for not doing some basic research.
Chris
Vivid Only complies with the IP only network part of the 4G standard speed in a fixed location requires 1Gbps with this is NO where near. I congratulate them on the new network and the price structure but it's NOT 4G! It's what is being called 3.9G ref to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4g
Walter Adamson
Dave's got a point:
eMobile: First 3.9G, then 4G in Japan
The newest mobile phone operator in Japan, eMobile, says it’s looking to launch a so called 3.9G LTE service in 2010. The service will run as a prelude to eMobile’s full 4G phone offering for Japan in 2012.
Docomo is planning to launch 4G late 2010. Korea is 6 months behind. Australia isn't on the map so sure thing this is just spin.
Still I think this is great news for consumers and for wireless broadband competition, and speaks well of the project implementation skills of Vivid.
Sam Bond
How can Vivid get away with calling this a 4G network? and secondly why are the media reporting that it's a 4G network?.
I am quite suprised Telstra have not steped in to correct them on this mistake.
Denis
3.9g is better than been in RIM city. Only if I could get 3.9g cause we are in a mobile blackspot only 5-10 minutes from the Perth CBD in Rivervale
Justin
It is a disgrace that quite a number of company marketing departments abuse terminology and classifications for their gain and get away with it.
This case is much like the 'HD' Television branding that devalued the term to a point where it had to be replaced with the gimmicky 'Full HD'.
They should be forced to adopt another name. Certainly 3.9G doesn't sound as catchy, but there are certainly other options, an example being Telstra's NextG branding.
Matthew
Justin - let me guess, you work for Telstra?
NextG implies their network is 'Next Generation' which it is nothing but - it's plain old underperforming 3G.
Vividwireless is already performing faster than NextG - so maybe they should name their network NextNextG?
When WiMAX II is finalised shortly before LTE has gone commercial, Vividwireless users will be able to enjoy the world of fast 4G ;-)
Michael
I received the Vividwireless modem today. I am very eager to try it out. I am currently residing in Langford and my place as per the coverage site is at the blink of coverage. I hope i can get a decent speed. However, with the 14 days money back guarantee, I am confident with Vividwireless. I almost went into contract with Telstra with 119.95 per month for 10gb. My place cannot get dsl nor naked dsl. Wireless is my only option. Vivid is get 25gb and 75 p/m with no up front cost. Telstra is hogging with outdated technology. Lousy service and expensive package. Perth is gonna change for good with 3.9G.
Gus
My friend recommended Vivid and I'm going to get one for tonight. It looks promising with the speed and the signal cover where I live. I can get $75 pm for unlimited download for 1 user, compare to Telstra and Optus.
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