3mobile Australia to launch Mega3G – 3G Roaming mid April
Three Mobile Australia’s recent 3G roaming agreement with Telstra NextG is about to see the light of day. According to an internal bulletin, “mid April” will see 3mobile customers gain access to the Telstra 850mhz NextG network for 3G Roaming.
This will provide 3 customers with 3G coverage across 96% of the Australian population.
Personally I think the 3 marketing dept has dropped the ball with the “Mega 3″ branding but that aside this is fantastic news for all Three customers who currently own or are about to upgrade to a “Mega 3″ capable mobile.
Around 10% of customers already have a MEGA mobile. At launch Three are automatically updating their MEGA mobile to allow them to access the 3G speeds in the new zone.
Three has also published 10 Things You Should know about 3G Roaming.
1. What is 3G Roaming?
We’re adding the “3G Roaming Zone” to our network, so that our customers can access 3G speeds when outside Broadband Zones.
Customers will be roaming on “parts of Telstra’s 850MHz 3G network”. Customers will need a 3G roaming capable device (either a mobile or modem) to access 3G roaming.
3G roaming is available outside of the Broadband Zone. Customers who cannot access 3G roaming will still be able to access the Talk and Messaging Zone.
2. Coverage
Broadband Zone + new 3G Roaming Zone = 3G coverage to 96% of Australian population. Coverage maps to be released to the public at launch. Customers MUST HAVE a 3G roaming capable device to access 3G roaming coverage.
3. Planet 3
ALL customers will have access to Planet 3 when roaming.
They will not need a 3G roaming capable mobile.
If they do have one, they’ll get better speeds when accessing Planet 3 outside the Broadband Zone.
If they don’t, they’ll access it at 2G speeds in the Talk and Messaging Zone. At launch Planet 3 Lite will no longer be available – customers will be getting Planet 3 instead!
4. 3G Roaming Speed
The typical speed in 3G Roaming Zone for compatible devices, ranges from 600 kilobits per second to 1.5 megabits per second (dependent on a number of factors such as device capability, location and network usage at the time).
Look for the Mega 3G symbol when upgrading your 3mobile handset or modem
5. 3G Roaming Capable Mobiles
Previously in range Nokia 5610, HTC P3600i, HTC Dopod 838, HTC Tytn 2, Palm Treo.Currently in range Nokia 6120, Nokia 6500, Nokia 6600, Nokia E63, Nokia E71*, Nokia 3120*, Sony Ericsson C510a, Sony Ericsson W705a Blackberry Bold, Nokia N85.
(* These handsets exist in both 3G roaming and non-3G roaming versions.)
Coming soon
Nokia E75.
6. 3G Roaming Capable Mobile Broadband Modems
Huawei E160
7. Pricing
Mobile Broadband
Postpaid Mobile Broadband customers will be charged 50c per MB (currently $1.65 per MB) for roaming data usage.Prepaid Mobile Broadband customers will be able to buy vouchers for $7.50 per 15 MB for roaming data usage.Roaming allowances for postpaid and prepaid customers will remain unchanged.
Mobile Internet
Postpaid X-Series customers will be charged 50c per MB (currently $1.65 per MB) for roaming data usage.
Video Calling
Customers will be charged 35c flagfall and 50c per 30 seconds for roaming video calls. These charges will apply outside of Cap and will not count towards minimum spend.
Planet 3 Downloads such as Games, Music and Tones will be the same price in 3G Roaming Zones.
8. Roaming Call Handling
Call handling will be the same as it is today.
Voice calls will experience a “hard” handover when moving from the Broadband Zone to either Talk and Messaging or a 3G Roaming Zone.
9. Launch
Mid April
When we plan to launch 3G roaming – we’ll be telling our customers via SMS, Email, Ticketing, Collateral, Planet 3, Website, Internal Comms, Bills, Media Release and more
10. Proposed 3/Vodafone Merger.
It is business as usual and we are moving ahead with launching 3G roaming as planned.
