Update: Vodafone shelved plans to launch 4G this year, leaving the field open for a Telstra-Optus fight

After Optus, now Vodafone announces plans to roll out HSPA+ and 4G services in Australia towards the end of the year. Telstra launched its 4G network in September last year and is now growing at 40,000 activations every month.

Vodafone is committed to investing over $1 billion into its ailing network and has already begun marketing the new updates under the slogan: “Better, faster, stronger than before”. Last year the company, led by CEO Nigel Dews, had a loss of $336 million. This year with a new CEO Bill Morrow at the helm promises to be different.

In September, the 3G+ network will go online. This is marketing speak for Dual Channel HSPA which can achieve speeds of upto 42Mbps. You might know it better as Telstra Next G. Next year Vodafone will focus on rolling out 4G LTE which may take as long as 2014 to come online.

Things are slowly and surely moving on the 4G front in Australia, but it will be a while before all networks offer full 4G. At the same time with NBN gaining momentum, by 2015 we should be rolling in high speed data heaven. Can’t wait!