Telstra to Replace CDMA EVDO with WCDMA

Australian telco Telstra has unveiled its mobile broadband plans by announcing a three-year project for a single, super-fast national 3G mobile service.

Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sol Trujillo said Telstra's 3G city-to-country plan would deliver faster speeds, wider coverage, and better mobile services for both city and country customers.

"Telstra will be the first Australian telco to deliver high-speed 3G services across the country creating the best and largest network with wider and better coverage than exists today.

"The national 3G service will provide Telstra's customers with existing and enhanced services including voice and video calling, mobile internet services and wireless broadband," Mr Trujillo said.

Telstra has selected Ericsson Australia Pty Ltd as the vendor to upgrade its 3G capability (3GSM) nationally.

The new network will use the same 850 MHz frequency and booster technology approach used by Telstra's existing CDMA network, thereby providing the same broad coverage in rural areas, without the need for extra base stations.

Existing CDMA network and the Telstra and Big Pond Wireless Broadband services will remain in place until the national 3G service has the same or better coverage and services. Coverage on the CDMA-based EV-DO network will continue to be expanded until such time as the national 3G service is available.

Telstra and Big Pond Wireless Broadband customers will receive free upgrades and replacement data cards and modems when the new network is fully available.