Telstra Fires Up 4G LTE Network in Australia

Today, Australian mobile phone carrier Telstra announced the availability of the first 4G LTE network in the country, currently covering a number of over 30 regional and metropolitan centers.

With the new launch, Australian mobile phone users are offered the possibility to access one of the world’s most advanced wireless networks in the world, capable of delivering impressively fast mobile download and upload speeds.

Users will be able to experience the new network using the Telstra USB 4G mobile broadband modem, which will provide them with download speeds ranging from 2Mbps to 40Mbps. Basically, these speeds will be up to ten times faster than those available on 3G networks.

Moreover, the carrier notes that the new LTE network will offer upload speeds of 1Mbps to 10Mbps, which would be up to three times faster than on 3G.

“Today marks a new high-speed chapter in Australian mobile telecommunications. Telstra’s 4G network delivers mobile speeds scarcely imagined a decade ago, making it easier for people to connect with the things they need and love when on the move,” Telstra CEO David Thodey stated.

“The superfast speeds mean consumers can download songs faster, get TV shows in minutes and do more things simultaneously.

“This is just the beginning. Telstra 4G will allow our mobile devices to perform even more advanced tasks and open the door to a host of innovative high-speed services that have yet to be conceived.

The Telstra USB 4G is available for business customers for $0 upfront on the $39 Telstra Mobile Broadband Standard Plan over 24 months (min total cost $936), as well as on other monthly plans.

Rumor has it that the wireless carrier might be set to launch their first LTE smartphone in the near future, and that this device will be none other than the HTC Holiday that was spotted into the wild a few times before, and which was just launched in South Korean as the HTC Rider 4G.

Provided that the rumor pans out, users will be able to purchase a dual-core smartphone, packing a 1.2GHz CPU, 4.5-inch qHD (960×540) LCD Display, 8MP camera, and Google's Android 2.3.4 OS.