Mobile Networks
Whether you're after voice, data, or advanced services and content features on your mobile phone – Telstra has the right network to suit your needs. Find out all the options and benefits to narrow down your choice.
4G (LTE)
Telstra 4G (LTE) on the Next G® network
4G is the latest in mobile technology and gives you access to some of the fastest download and upload speeds available anywhere.
4G speeds are currently available in all capital CBDs (meaning 5km from the GPO), associated airports and selected regional locations. If you're on the Telstra Next G network with a compatible device, you'll have the benefits of 4G where it’s available and then seamless switchover to our fastest available 3G speeds in other coverage areas.
Upgrade to a 4G device and you can enjoy faster download speeds, a more responsive internet connection, and less video buffering in 4G coverage areas. You can also stream videos with less buffering, download HD movies faster, upload photos in a flash, watch live TV in HD, play multiplayer games online and load websites in a heartbeat.
4G Mobile Broadband
When you use a USB 4G mobile broadband device in 4G coverage areas, you can enjoy typical download speeds ranging from 2Mbps to 40Mbps – up to twice as fast as our fastest existing 3G device (the Ultimate USB). You can also experience typical upload speeds of 1Mbps to 10Mbps in 4G coverage areas, which is up to three times faster than our 3G Ultimate USB device today. These superfast speeds mean you'll be able to download songs faster and do more things simultaneously.
As well as supporting faster mobile speeds, 4G provides a more responsive internet connection. The time it takes for data to travel from a PC to the internet and back is faster than that experienced on current 3G networks meaning real-time applications like video conferencing, internet gaming and cloud-hosted streaming services work better with less buffering and fewer interruptions.
We sell dual mode LTE / HSPA+ mobile broadband devices that work seamlessly across 1800MHz and 850MHz spectrum bands. (4G (LTE) uses 1800Mhz while 3G (HSPA+) uses 850MHz).
Things you need to know
4G coverage on the Next G network depends on your location, device and whether it has an external antenna. For coverage areas, please go to our coverage maps. Typical download speeds in capital city CBDs, associated airports and selected regional areas are from 2Mbps to 40Mbps. Capital CBD means within 5km from the GPO and within 3km from the town centre for regional locations. When outside the 4G areas, your BigPond USB 4G device will automatically switch over to the Next G network 3G coverage and speed ranges will be less. Actual speeds vary due to factors such as location, distance from the base station, local conditions, concurrent users, hardware and software configuration and download source / upload configuration.
Next G® mobile network / Out to sea
Next G® Mobile Network Works Better in More Places
Ever wondered why some mobiles don't work as well as others in certain places? Coverage and signal strength are important factors. The Telstra Next G network is over twice as large as any other 3G network in Australia. It also covers 99 per cent of the population.
The Next G network utilises the 850 Megahertz frequency across its entire coverage area. Because this is a lower frequency than other mobile networks this allows for superior in-building coverage, one of the reasons the Next G network works better in more buildings, car parks and lifts, in more places, more often.
Our Next G network is the fastest national mobile broadband network in Australia which means you send and receive photos, music and video clips faster in more places. Plus with the launch of 4G (LTE) on the Next G network in Capital city CBDs, associated airports and selected regional areas, typical download speeds of 2Mbps up to an incredible 40Mbps are possible. This data speed is significantly above that of any 3G network.
Our USB 4G dual mode device operates across both 3G and 4G capability on the Next G network, giving you the benefits of 4G where it is available and automatically switches over to our advanced 3G HSPA enabled area of the Next G network outside the 4G areas.
Utilising a BigPond Ultimate® device on the Next G network, you can enjoy the use of 3G coverage that includes typical download speeds of 1.1Mbps up to 20Mbps in selected 3G coverage areas.
Check your coverage
Next G mobile phones
Next G Find the right mobile device for you
To get the most from the Telstra Next G network, you need the right mobile device to suit your needs. See Maximise your coverage
Next G videos
We've created a series of short videos to help you get the most out of the Next G network:
Camping and caravanning with Next G
Using the right SIM card
Out to sea
Our mobile coverage map shows that the predicted coverage area of the Next G network can typically extend 20 to 70km out to sea from mobile base stations located near the coast.
Factors beyond our control like the weather, tides, sea conditions and your antenna installation (type and height above sea level) can significantly influence coverage, data speed and performance. As a result, the Next G network must not be relied upon as a primary method of emergency communication at sea.
Out to sea coverage tips
- To assist your mobile services when out to sea, you should use a directly connected external antenna – one that is omnidirectional or a specialist marine antenna capable of 'tracking' to the best serving base station. The antenna should be mounted as high as possible on your vessel.
- In order for a service out to sea to work effectively, line of sight to the terrestrial base station is required. This is influenced by the height of the serving base station, land based obstructions such as trees and buildings, as well as the general topography of the land, which can block signals. Coverage will not be reliable over the horizon from a mobile base station even though it may be usable at times. See our coverage
We've created a short video to help you maximise your coverage while you're at sea:
Things you need to know
Next G coverage depends on your location, device and whether it has an external antenna.
For mobile data speed coverage areas, please go to our map and select 'data'. Speeds vary due to factors such as location, distance from the base station, local conditions, concurrent users, hardware and software configuration and download source / upload configuration.
4G USB Typical download speeds in capital city CBDs, associated airports and selected regional areas are from 2Mbps to 40Mbps. Capital CBD means within 5km from the GPO and within 3km from the town centre for regional locations. When outside the 4G areas, your BigPond USB 4G device will automatically switch over to the Next G network 3G coverage and speed ranges will be less. Actual speeds vary due to factors such as location, distance from the base station, local conditions, concurrent users, hardware and software configuration and download source / upload configuration.
BigPond Ultimate USB: Typical download speeds in capital cities, airports, much of the associated metropolitan areas and many regional areas are from 1.1Mbps to 20Mbps and in other areas speed ranges will be less. Actual speeds vary due to factors such as location, distance from the base station, local conditions, concurrent user numbers, hardware and software configuration and download source / upload configuration.
All mobile devices have been tested to operate within the handheld coverage contours of the advertised coverage maps. Mobile telephone coverage depends on where you are, the handset you are using and whether it has an external antenna attached. For tips, visit Maximise your coverage
You should be aware that the Telstra Mobile coverage maps displayed have been created using tools that predict the likely areas of coverage. Not every particular location within the identified coverage areas has been individually tested for coverage. This means that while the footprint of coverage outlined on the maps is generally accurate, there will be specific areas described as being within a coverage area where your device will not work. This is a common characteristic of mobile systems. For example, coverage could be degraded or not existent in specific locations due to certain physical structures or geographic features or as a result of the device used. Physical structures which may block or inhibit coverage could include basements, lifts, underground car parks, concrete buildings, tunnels and road cuttings. Geographic features which may block or inhibit coverage could include formations such as hills and mountains or even trees.
Data speeds experienced on our mobile networks may be affected by network availability, the type and configuration of the equipment, the performance of external networks (for example the internet), the signal strength of the device used and other factors such as the type of application.
Data speeds experienced on our mobile networks may be affected by network availability, the type and configuration of the equipment, the performance of external networks (for example the internet), the signal strength of the device used and other factors such as the type of application.
3G 2100
Important Information for customers with earlier 3G 2100MHz mobile devices
Telstra previously operated two 3G networks – our Next G® network, Australia’s largest mobile network, and an earlier, limited 3G service operating at 2100MHz in major metropolitan centres.
We've made changes to the 3G 2100MHz network, as we ended our agreement to share it with Vodafone Hutchinson Australia. These changes occurred on 31 August 2012.
How you'll be affected
You may be impacted by this change if you're using a mobile phone or wireless data device that only operates its 3G functions on the 3G 2100MHz network and not on our Next G® network, and:
- you're located in a metropolitan area where there is 2100MHz coverage (to check, see our coverage maps)
- you have a 3G SIM card (not a 2G SIM card) and
- you use your mobile service to access 3G services – such as video calling or high speed data services.
Your reception and services may have changed including your 3G data and internet services, video calling and Mobile Foxtel from Telstra. Your mobile device will continue working for voice calls and SMS, whenever you have 2G network coverage. It may also work for 2G data and internet browsing, but at slower speeds.
If you use any type of hearing aid or cochlear implant, you may be further affected by the network changes. For more information, please visit our Mobile Phones and Hearing Aids page.
What to do if your reception is affected
If you have any reception difficulties it may help to move outdoors.
Next G® compatible devices set to access our 2100MHz network
Although you may be already using a device that is capable of operating on the Next G® network, it's important that your device is set to access the Next G network, and not our 3G 2100MHz network. If it isn't, you will have also been affected by these network changes. To access our Next G network, please change your carrier network setting to 'Automatic'. A list of common manufacturer websites where a user manual can be obtained to reset your device is available here.
What to do
To find out more, please see our frequently asked questions. If you need help identifying if your mobile phone or wireless data device will be affected please refer to our online device identifier tool. If you're still not sure what device or SIM card you are using, please take your mobile phone into a Telstra store to see if you will be affected.
You can also call us about these changes:
- for post-paid enquiries, on 13 2200
- for pre-paid, on 125 8880
- or if you are a Telstra Business customer, please contact your Account Executive or call 13 2000
- or if you are an Enterprise and Government customer, please contact your Account Executive or call 1800 730 053.
If you would like to upgrade to a Next G® network compatible device and experience the benefits of Australia’s largest mobile network, please browse our Next G® network offers, call us on 13 2200 or visit your nearest Telstra store.
GSM / GPRS
GSM
Our GSM network provides coverage to more than 96 per cent of the Australian population and more than 600,000 square kilometres.
GSM is a great mobile network if you’re in a capital city with excellent in-building coverage, in a metropolitan area and if you’re an international traveller.
Mobile phone usage can sometimes be restricted or even impossible inside certain buildings, structures and some locations, notably within capital cities. Our GSM network has an extensive range of base stations inside many buildings and structures to help provide coverage within some of these difficult areas. See our coverage
You can also take advantage of information and data services via GPRS. With a GPRS capable mobile phone you can access information services, the internet as well as send and receive emails.
And with extensive international roaming capability in more than 170 countries (including nearly 130 with GPRS), GSM is also a great choice for international travellers, helping to keep you in touch when travelling overseas.
GPRS
Get convenient access to the internet, email and other online services through your GPRS-capable mobile phone.
General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) is a packet-based wireless communication service that provides fast data rates and continuous connection to the internet for GPRS capable devices1. It offers the same coverage as our GSM network.
GPRS uses a more efficient, cost-effective way of sending and receiving data. This means, depending on your device, you can enjoy an 'always-on' connection2 to the internet because we don’t charge for the time online but only for the transmission of data (subject to session fees payable under the PAYG pricing option).
Your GPRS handset may need to be configured to work on our GPRS network. See our Mobile phone set-up
