Nokia's HSDPA solution allows Vodafone to offer its customers data services at speeds of up to four times faster than current 3G speeds.

The commercial launch of the service follows an extensive trial of the solution and close cooperation between Vodafone and Nokia in Australia.

"Our current strategy is simple - provide high-speed, mobile broadband coverage where it counts," said Edward Goff, General Manager Business Markets at Vodafone Australia. "Our upgraded 3G broadband service will first appeal to business customers who want to operate more effectively while out of the office Vodafone 3G broadband provides fast, one-click access to email and attachments, the web, Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and company servers."

"Vodafone is at the leading edge adopting new technologies that benefit their customers here in Australia and around the world. We are happy to continue our successful cooperation by supporting them in bringing the Nokia HSDPA solution to Australia," Paul Tyler, General Manager, Networks, Nokia.

Nokia and Vodafone Australia signed an agreement on the WCDMA 3G network in 2004. HSDPA is provided under extension of the existing contract. Nokia also provides the HSDPA infrastructure for Vodafone New Zealand who launched their 3G broadband service in October 2006.

In WCDMA 3G, Nokia has 63 customers to date. High performance Nokia HSPA is a simple software upgrade to Nokia WCDMA networks, thus enabling a fast, cost-effective rollout.