Vodafone Australia has activated its LTE-Advanced mobile network in Melbourne, while rival Optus has expanded its LTE coverage.
Vodafone has activated 678 LTE-Advanced sites in the state of Victoria, and plans to switch on 71 more over the next sxix weeks.
The operator's LTE-Advanced network adds 850-MHz low-band spectrum to its existing 1800-MHz 4G network.
In July, the company set a target of extending 4G coverage to 95% of Australia's metropolitan population by the end of the year. Vodafone's 4G subscriber base is now at nearly two million.
Optus separately revealed it has switched on 2600-MHz LTE services at sites in 40 regional centers, in addition to its existing metropolitan coverage.
The company is using its new 700-MHz spectrum to activate 4G earlier than expected in many locations. Regulator ACMA has approved early access to the band in many locations ahead of it being made available nationally from the start of next year.
This is a great opportunity for Optus to bring forward the benefits of 4G for customers for the peak summer holiday period,” Optus Networks managing director Vic McClelland said.
“With ACMA approving early [700-MHz] access, we will look to provide customers with compatible devices a taste of 4G as quickly as possible.”