As per the first agreement, TPG will provide Dark Fibre and network services to more than 3,000 Vodafone Australia sites over a 15 year term.
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Vodafone chief executive officer, Iñaki Berroeta, said that the transmission deal is a game changer for the operator’s mobile network that has been steadily bulking up its reach and capacity. This came on top of iiNet becoming part of TPG in a $1.56 billion deal. According to Berroeta, the deal will bring a “higher-performing, 5G-ready network which will enable future opportunities such as virtual and augmented reality applications”.
TPG Telecom’s 320,000 mobile users will be moved onto the Vodafone Australia network.
TPG will investing $300 million – $400 million over the roll out period over the next 3 years.
The two companies have a proven partnership as TPG has already delivered 900 kilometres of fibre for VHA sites from the 2011 to the 2013 financial year.
Deployment to the majority of the existing Vodafone network is expected to be completed during 2018.
The employment of dark fibre could be significant for Vodafone’s 7 million users, as its said to drastically improve the speed, reliability and capabilities of the telco’s service.
The TPG II plan is $29.99 per month with 2GB of data and unlimited calls and SMS to standard Australian numbers.
AUSTRALIA’S second biggest fixed-line internet provider is shifting its mobile subscribers off the Singtel-owned Optus and onto Vodafone, with a few joining the network immediately. This means that we could see the likes of 12GBs of data included in a $60 per month sim free deal this time next year.
Vodafone Australia network is also considering a 5G rollout.
Meanwhile, speaking of TPG moving its customers to Vodafone, an Optus spokesperson said: “We are now working with the TPG Group on revised wholesale arrangements but expect to be a continuing wholesale provider to the TPG Group in the future”.
TPG’s plans in the market over the last two years haven’t been as aggressive as the company would like them to be said the company’s COO, Craig Levy.
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Berroeta said: “We have the need for dark fibre to set u our network for the future and TPG has the resources to deliver it on behalf, so it is a natural fit”.
