Vodafone boosts 4G capacity

Vodafone boosts 4G capacity

Vodafone has boosted 4G capacity in central Auckland, allowing more 4G data users simultaneously to experience the fast mobile service, without performance degradation.

Vodafone started the Auckland-based “Dual-Band 4G” trial in November 2013 – nine months after launching 4G – in response to customers’ rapid adoption of the 4G service.

Vodafone is the first to trial Dual-Band 4G, which uses 2600MHz and 1800MHz 4G bands on a single site, delivering more capacity to 4G users in the area.

Vodafone Head of Networks Tony Baird says the deployment of Dual-Band is the next evolution of the company’s nationwide 4G network.

“We’ve already invested in making our 4G service available to more than 2.2 million Kiwis in 46 locations. As a result, we have 400,000 active 4G devices on our network, which means as well as coverage, we have to think about capacity.

“It’s about evolving the network – as we’ve done with 2G and 3G in the past – to deliver a consistently reliable network performance. Dual-Band 4G is a big part of that.

“Dual-Band 4G allows more people to use the service and still get the speeds customers have come to expect. With smartphone growth set to continue, and the explosion of 4G data use on our network, Dual-Band 4G is an important network investment to future-proof 4G as adoption heads to tipping point.”

Tony adds: “While technologies like carrier aggregation* will deliver faster speeds, without commercially-available devices to support the technology, consumers can’t enjoy the benefits. It’s a theoretical service.

“Dual-Band 4G however, lets customers benefit immediately.”

Kiwis wanting to experience the speed of 4G need a 4G-capable device with the latest software, a qualifying plan and be in a 4G coverage area. The device seamlessly switches between 4G bands or to Vodafone’s next fastest 3G speed.

Vodafone offers the largest range of 4G-capable devices supporting 2600MHz and 1800MHz bands, at a range of price points – including the recently launched Samsung GALAXY S5, Sony Xperia Z2 and HTC One (M8).

For more information and 4G coverage maps, visit: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/network/coverage/

ENDS

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