Home arrow Apr - June 2009 arrow 3 Brings 3G Coverage to 96% of Population in Australia
3 Brings 3G Coverage to 96% of Population in Australia
www.three.com.au

3 Australia, part of Hutchison 3G, has activated domestic 3G roaming on Telstra’s 850 MHz Next G network, which expanded its 3G coverage from 56% to 96% of the Australian population. The new 3G Roaming Zone will enable its customers to access 3G speeds outside 3’s Broadband Zones using a 3G roaming capable device that can work on both 2100 MHz and 850 MHz frequencies. The typical speed in 3G Roaming Zones ranges from 600 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps. The operator has also reduced 3G roaming prices.

At 3 mobile we believe in change for the better. That’s why today 3 is launching access to 3G services in areas covering 96% of the Australian population, reducing roaming rates and giving customers with compatible 3G devices high speed access in our new 3G Roaming Zone!

3G COVERAGE ZONES EXPANDED

We’re introducing a new 3G Roaming Zone covering areas outside of 3’s current Broadband Zone. This means customers will be able to enjoy more of the stuff that they love to do on their mobile. Keeping in touch with Facebook, Myspace and Twitter updates, blogging, watching Mobile TV, gaming, googling and downloading via Planet 3 on the Mobile or Mobile Broadband on the go is now possible in more areas than ever before.

ROAMING CHARGES REDUCED

Aside from expanded 3G access, customers can now also enjoying lower roaming rates at 50c per MB when they take up any postpaid X-Series Mobile Internet Pack or postpaid Mobile Broadband offer.

You’ll know you’re roaming when the ‘R’ Roaming, ‘EDGE” or ‘GPRS’ symbol appears on your screen. If you have an Email pack, roaming is already included.

MEGA MOBILES AND MODEMS

To make the most of 3’s expanded 3G coverage, look out for our new MEGA mobiles and modems. With these, customers will also be able to get high speed access even when they are out of town. Current MEGA mobiles in our range that are 3G roaming capable include:

Nokia 6120 / 3120 / 6500 / 6600 / E63 / E71 / N85

Sony Ericsson SEM C510a/SEM W705a

BlackBerry Bold


The Huawei E160 is the first MEGA Modem available on 3 and is available now. FREE to Mobile Broadband customers signing up for $29, $39 or $49 cap plans over a 24 month contract, or $149 upfront.

“Social networking sites and search engines such as Google are part of everyday life. We have seen the use of Planet 3 services more than double each year. We want to make sure that our customers have access to all the great things 3 has to offer, in more places than ever before giving them the freedom to enjoy 3’s great content, whether they are in the heart of Sydney or relaxing in Mudgee!” said Noel Hamill, Director, Sales, Marketing and Product at 3.

About 3

3 is Australia’s first 3G network, bringing over 2 million customers mobile broadband, live Mobile TV, full length audio and video music tracks, live Video Calling, high-speed email and other great entertainment and information services in 3’s Broadband Zones.

Three facts about 3:

3 launched Australia’s first 3G mobile network in April 2003, now fully HSDPA enabled, and has over 2 million customers in Australia and 19 million customers worldwide. 3 was also the first operator to launch cap plans in Australia in 2003.

During 2008, customers generated 199 million internet access and Planet 3 events and 68% of 3’s customers paid for these services each month.

3's Broadband Zones are available in most parts of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and the Gold Coast. We reach 96% of Australians with Talk, SMS, MMS, IM and Email. In the first half of 2009, 3 will provide customers with access to 3G services in areas covering 96% of the population.