Three Australia was introduced by Hutchison in Australia in 2003, through its majority ownership of Hutchison Telecom Australia Ltd (HTAL). As of June 2009, HTAL now owns 50% of the merged Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Ltd, containing both the "Three" and "Vodafone" networks.[1] The 3 and Vodafone networks remained separate as of August 2009.
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Hutchison formerly operated an Australian CDMA network under the Orange brand name. On 1 February 2006, it was re-branded as 3 CDMA, and this network was closed as of 9 August 2006. 3 CDMA customers were offered special tariffs and incentives to continue as customers on the 3G network, all customers either moved over to 3's 3G network or to other network providers.
Hutchison introduced the "Three" network in Australia in 2003, through its majority ownership of Hutchison Telecom Australia Ltd (HTAL). As of June 2009, HTAL now owns 50% of the merged Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Ltd, containing both the "Three" and "Vodafone" networks.[1] The 3 and Vodafone networks remained separate as of August 2009.
On 9 February 2009 HTAL and Vodafone announced that they would be merging their Australian operations into a 50-50 joint venture called VHA Pty Ltd. All products and services offered by VHA would be marketed under the Vodafone brand, and VHA would hold exclusive rights to use the 3 brand. This merger was expected to be completed by mid-2009, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval,[2] As of 29 May 9, shareholder and regulatory approval is granted.[3] and was completed in June 2009.
Three operates a 2100 MHz 3G network in a 50/50 partnership with Telstra[1] (the radio networks are shared, the core networks are separate), covering approximately 56% of Australia's population. The 3G network covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Geelong, Frankston and Wollongong.
In areas not covered by 3's 3G network, customers roam on Telstra's GSM/GPRS/EDGE or UMTS networks. This agreement allows 3 to offer coverage to up to 96% of the population. In certain areas, customers may roam on Vodafone Australia's GSM/GPRS/EDGE network. Unlike roaming on Telstra's network however, data charges are inclusive to one's data plan, and is not charged separately. When roaming on Vodafone's network, '3 2G' will appear on a customer's handset. 3's total number of Australian subscribers reached 2,000,000 as of April 2009[5]
This is a list of known active mobile networks used by 3 Australia
| Frequency | Protocol | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 900 MHz | GSM/EDGE | 2G | Telstra network, accessible by roaming agreement |
| 1800 MHz | GSM/EDGE | 2G | Telstra network, accessible by roaming agreement |
| 900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE | 2G | Vodafone AU network, accessible by roaming agreement |
| 1800 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE | 2G | Vodafone AU network, accessible by roaming agreement |
| 850 MHz | UMTS/WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+ | 3G | Telstra NextG network accessible by roaming agreement. Not accessible where there is 3GIS coverage |
| 2100 Mhz | UMTS/WCDMA/HSPA | 3G | Home network of 3. 3GIS network in 50/50 partnership with Telstra, covers capital cities |
3 has sponsored Big Brother Australia from 2005 to 2008 (when it was canceled), The Australian Cricket Team and Essendon Football Club.
The Vodafone Australia's GSM mobile service on 900 MHz and 1800 MHz covers 94.52% of Australia's population. The 3G 2100 MHz UMTS network is available in metro areas of major cities and some larger regional centres covering 80% of the population. Expansion of the 3G UMTS network using 900 MHz to equal or surpass the GSM coverage is due to be completed by 31 August 2009 [2] [3].
In a media release issued on 27 May 2008, Vodafone claimed 4.031 million mobile telephone customers connected across Australia (including 0.341 million connected to MVNOs).[6]
Vodafone Hutchison Australia is owned by: