Virgin Mobile Australia announces 4G LTE network

We just received word from Virgin Mobile Australia that the carrier will be utilizing Optus’ 4G network. As Virgin is an MNVO of Optus, they use the network, so it only seems fair that the carrier also got access to the 4G LTE wavelengths.

The 4G LTE network is available for those of you on post-paid plans in Sydney, Newcastle and Perth, with Melbourne to join on September 15th. Sounds like Optus? Brisbane and Adelaide will be following suit in 2013.

Virgin Mobile Marketing Director, David Scribner, said:

We are thrilled to today announce that we are 4G ready; it is an extremely exciting time within the Telco industry and itchanges the landscape as we know it. We know our customers use their phonesmore than ever for data and this launch will provide our customers with faster downloads and seriously quick mobile internet. As a pacesetter in the market, Virgin Mobile continues to offer great valued products and we are proud ourcustomers are the most satisfied of all network providers. The launch of 4G is another step in delivering on our commitment to a fair go for all.

But Virgin Mobile doesn’t have a 4G capable phone?

Oh, yes they do! Just as Telstra and Optus announced the 4G Galaxy S III, Virgin Mobile will also be selling the phone. VM will be receiving the Titanium model for it’s 4G network. That is the same model that is running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean straight out of the box and is packing a beefy 2GB of RAM.

You can check out the full coverage maps here or learn more about the 4G network on Virgin Mobile here. The coverage appears to be the same as what Optus is offering, and is currently larger than Telstra’s availability in Melbourne, which is quite interesting. As we know, Telstra will be ramping up its 4G coverage in the coming 6 months so expect a lot of competition to start bolstering up.

Virgin Mobile promises to offer customers:

• “seriously quick” mobile internet
• less buffering, faster downloads & improved HD video quality
• access to 4G on any of our current post paid mobile plans
• 4G coverage in selected areas of Sydney, Perth and Newcastle with selected areas of Melbourne to launch on 15th September with selected areas of Brisbane and Adelaide to follow in 2013
• access to the Optus 3G Dual Band network which reaches over 900,000 sq KM of landmass and reaches over 97% of the Australian population  when out of 4G coverage areas

If you want to jump on board instantly then “Virgin Mobile customers can now pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S III 4G for just $7 on the Fair Go Bro $59.”

Get excited people, the 4G wars are just beginning. That only means one thing, good news for consumers!