MELBOURNE, Australia-Telstra announced it launched Australia’s first fully operational third-generation (3G) mobile service aimed at business users.
In particular, it has upgraded base stations on its CDMA digital cellular network. The CDMA 1xRTT network offers continual connection, with data download speeds of up to 72 kilobits per second (kbps) and up to 144 kbps, depending on a user’s plan.
The launch followed the company trialing the service with 29 businesses in Melbourne and regional Victoria. According to Telstra Mobile Group Managing Director David Thodey, the trial service allowed companies to “mobilize their offices, improve productivity and potentially save money using secure mobile devices.”
Initially, selected regional and city customers will be able to use CDMA 1x compatible-devices to check corporate e-mail and browse intranets and Internet at speeds almost comparable with desktop computers. “Medical staff at a Victorian hospital who have trialed the service to access X-rays, radiology, patient history and diagnosis via a wireless laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA) said they found they could save up to one hour per day,” Thodey said.
“Similarly, a Wellington Shire Council field officer eliminated the hassle of returning to his office to perform basic duties such as animal registrations, property mapping and registering dog complaints and parking infringements.”
Services are also available in Sydney and regional surrounds. Plans are afoot to expand the network to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.
