Telstra customers in selected pockets of Sydney and Adelaide CBDs will soon be able to access the next generation of 4G services after Telstra secured early access to the 700 MHz spectrum for commercial trials starting in mid September.

Once switched on, customers using compatible devices in these trial locations will experience the fastest mobile data speeds in Australia. 4G services on 700MHz spectrum will be rolled out in more cities and regional centres as spectrum becomes available in January 2015.

This extends the number of commercial trial cities to eight, with commercial services already being tested in Perth, Fremantle, Esperance, Mildura, Mt Isa and Griffith.

Group Managing Director Networks, Mike Wright, said the expansion of commercial trials on 700MHz is an important step in the development of this new 4G technology and will ensure Telstra can provide full commercial services to its customers as soon as possible.

“We are excited to offer customers in these parts of Sydney and Adelaide, with compatible devices, an early view on the future of 4G technology and the opportunity to experience the fastest mobile data speeds in Australia”, said Mr Wright.

“In addition to faster download speeds, the use of low band spectrum like 700 MHz allows for the signal to travel further and reach deeper into buildings, improving the depth of coverage for our customers.

“Telstra also has double the holdings of 700 MHz spectrum than the other carriers, and, this combined with our existing 4G services, doubles the 4G capacity of our network in these areas, and means we can support more customers, using more devices, doing more things at the same time. This is particularly important given the continued explosion of mobile data.”

The benefits of the new 4G service will be available immediately to customers using 700 MHz-ready devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G3, HTC One (M8) and HTC Desire 610 smartphones and compatible mobile Wi-Fi devices in these locations. A range of additional smartphones and other connected devices compatible with 700MHz 4G is expected in the coming month.

Note: Access to the 700 MHz band is made possible due to the provision of a licence from the Australian Communications and Media Authority.