Vodafone is set to take on Optus in a major push to become the #2 telco in Australia with the roll out of a brand new 3G Network which will go live in major regional centres on Friday 1 May.

Vodafone claim that customers in major regional centres will now be able to access data services such as mobile broadband* on their laptop or PC as well as internet, email and rich multimedia content like mobile TV and video on their mobile phone.

“It appears that Vodafone’s strategy is to target Optus customers first and if they pick up any Telstra 3G customers it is a bonus” said a leading telecommunications analyst.

“This is a sensible strategy as Telstra have a very strong 3G network and Optus a very weak problematic network” they added.

Andy Reeves, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone Australia, says Vodafone’s upgrade to 3G in major regional centres will give local customers access to its market leading data pricing.

“We are committed to investing in our network to provide Australians with high quality service and the best value 3G services where they’re needed most,” he said.

Vodafone has a new suite of high-value capped plans launching on Monday, 4 May 2009, which boast a huge monthly data allowance of 1GB on its $69 Cap Contract and 2GB on its $99 Single Business Cap.

Vodafone $69 iPhone Cap (24 months) is currently the best deal in Australia with a free iPhone 3G 8GB, $400 credit for calls, text and standard services, plus 1GB of mobile data.

Vodafone’s 3G coverage will now reach 80 per cent of the Australian population. When the second stage of the upgrade is completed by 31 August 2009, Vodafone 3G coverage will reach over 94 per cent of the Australian population.

To access Vodafone’s 3G services, customers will need a 3G compatible mobile phone or mobile broadband* device. Existing Vodafone customers with a 2G mobile phone can continue to access voice and txt services as normal following the upgrade.