Vodafone’s network covers where 99% of Australians live. New coverage map rules now make it easier to compare networks and reveal the gap between providers is much smaller than many people previously thought.
Key takeaways
- Vodafone’s mobile network covers 99% of the Australian population and approximately 1.2 million square kilometres of the Australian landmass.
- A new industry standard gives Australians a more consistent way to compare coverage across mobile providers.
- The new regulator-backed maps now require mobile operators to show where customers can expect good, moderate, basic or no coverage.
- Customers can now compare networks on a genuine like-for-like basis showing where their phones are expected to work with a usable signal strength.
- Under the new measures, the gap in coverage between Vodafone’s network and the Telstra network is now much smaller.
Let's start with the big question: is your place covered? Find out by using Vodafone’s coverage checker.
Comparing mobile networks just got easier
Comparing mobile coverage maps between Australia’s three mobile network operators – Vodafone, Telstra and Optus – has never been straightforward.
Every provider has coverage maps, but they haven’t always been measured or presented in the same way. That made it surprisingly hard to answer a simple question: which network gives me coverage where I need it?
Too often, customers were left trying to compare apples with oranges.
Those days are over.
A new industry standard introduced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) means all mobile operators must present coverage information using the same coverage categories based on the same signal strengths coming from their mobile towers.
That means, for the first time, Australians can compare mobile networks on a genuine like-for-like basis.
Previously, Vodafone reported coverage reaching 98.5% of Australians. Under the new industry standard, that figure is now 99%.
Vodafone's geographic footprint also extends across more than 1.2 million square kilometres of Australian landmass.
The takeaway? When everyone measures coverage the same way, the difference between providers isn't nearly as dramatic as many Australians may have been led to believe.
Turns out comparing apples with apples tells a very different story.
What actually changed?
The networks haven't suddenly changed.
What has changed is the way coverage is measured and displayed.
Under the new standard, coverage maps must reflect where customers can expect a usable mobile service on a standard handset and classify coverage using consistent categories.
The result is a fairer, more transparent comparison between providers which sounds boring, but it's actually great news for customers.
While some carriers previously over-claimed their coverage reach and must reduce what they can now show you, Vodafone’s coverage has increased using the new standard.
Every provider now uses the same four coverage categories, making it easier to understand what you can expect from your phone.
- Good: Reliable calls, messaging and fast data for things like streaming, video calls and gaming.
- Moderate: Comfortable everyday use including browsing, messaging, email and most streaming.
- Basic: Enough for calls, texts and staying connected, although speeds and performance may vary.
- No coverage: Limited or no predicted mobile coverage.
When everyone follows the same rules
The updated maps tell a very different story to the one many Australians may have seen in the past. Funny what happens when everyone starts playing by the same rules.
Vodafone now covers where 99% of Australians live.
Optus has published a very similar population coverage figure under the same standard.
Telstra has not yet published an equivalent population coverage percentage under the new standard.
What we do know is that its reported coverage footprint is at least around 860,000 square kilometres smaller under the new methodology, an area larger than New South Wales.
Under the new standard we estimate that the difference in population coverage between Vodafone and Telstra is now only around half a percent.
The result is a much clearer picture of how Australia's mobile networks compare and a reminder that the gap between providers is much narrower than many people may have believed.
See for yourself
Coverage statistics can be useful, but they're not nearly as important as knowing whether your phone works.
Whether that's your home, workplace, holiday destination or daily commute, Vodafone's Coverage Checker lets you explore the coverage available at any address and see the level of service you can expect.
At the end of the day, what matters is whether your phone works where you need it.
That's exactly what Vodafone's Coverage Checker is designed to help you find out.
Check your address and see for yourself.
