Telstra has launched Australia's first-ever commercial 4G network, beating out competitors like Optus and Vodafone who aren't expected to launch their networks till next year.
The telco giant will roll out the service across capital cities and more than 30 regional and metropolitan centres.
"Today marks a new high-speed chapter in Australian mobile telecommunications. Telstra's 4G network delivers mobile speeds scarcely imagined a decade ago," said Telstra chief executive David Thodey in a media statement.
The company claims 4G coverage will boost download speeds to ten times that of current 3G services, giving users download speeds of 2 megabits per second (Mbps) to 40 Mbps.
But the 4G coverage is limited to a 5km radius from the general post office in cities, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Modems will revert to the 3G network when customers leave 4G areas.
Telstra has only released a wireless dongle at this stage but aims to introduce other equiment into the market next year.
"We know there is a huge appetite for 4G-powered smartphones and tablets and Telstra is working with some of the world's leading manufacturers to bring some of these devices to customers," Mr Thodey said.
The company expects its 4G network will reach more than 80 regional centres by the end of this year.
Overseas, 4G networks have been launched successfully across countries like America and Japan.
