Vodafone has switched on its "4.9G" network in Parramatta, upping the potential 4G speeds that current generation smartphones can attain.
While it's far from 5G, Vodafone is using Massive MIMO technology to deliver high bandwidth across the 1800Mhz spectrum. Essentially, your current phone will be able to get faster data speeds. In previous trials, Vodafone says it achieved a total throughput speed of 717Mbps across eight devices. Testing near the launch site in Paramatta on Friday afternoon saw a Samsung Galaxy S7 (a 2016 era smartphone) reach download speeds of 170Mbps.
Vodafone Chief Technology Officer Kevin Millroy described the trial as a significant step toward 5G.
"4.9G is supercharging our network, with customers in 4.9G areas to enjoy a higher quality network experience, smoother streaming, and more consistent speeds, even in times of high usage," said Millroy. "we’ll be rolling out 4.9G to more areas as the year progresses."
Parramatta is the first of five sites across Australia where Vodafone will test out its 4.9G technology. It will be followed by Sydney's Chinatown and Haymarket.
"The sites selected for the 4.9G trial are in high-density, high usage areas where we can really exercise the benefits we saw during the field demonstration," said Millroy.
While Vodafone belives the trial is a step toward 5G, Millroy also says that "rather than focusing on stunts around 5G", the company is investing in technology that will "deliver real benefits to our customers now". This is seemingly a reference to 5G network demonstrations that Telstra and Optus ran earlier this year at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
It is however worth noting that Telstra and Optus both introduced gigabit 4G connectivity last year, and Telstra has now achieved 2Gbps over its 4G network in trials.
These faster 4G speeds aren't available widely yet, with Telstra saying gigabit connectivity is only available in the CBDs of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, in addition to other high traffic areas in these cities. Optus was aiming to have 70% of its network in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide to be "4.5G" enabled by the second quarter of this year.
While speeds of over a gigabit are possible on both telcos, individual users are unlikely to achieve anything that fast in day-to-day use.
Telstra and Optus are expected to launch their 5G networks next year, while Vodafone will follow in 2020.
Alex Choros
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