Telstra Users - Are You Going to Switch to Vodafone Once The Network Merger Is Approved?

ParmiAndChips on 17/09/2022 - 12:07

I have been curiously following news on the Telstra/TPG(Voda) network sharing deal since it was announced in February.

If you’re not in the loop, the two have a network sharing deal planned for regional areas where Vodafone gets access to Telstra towers in exchange for Telstra getting to use their spectrum, pending ACCC approval.

One of the major points being used to justify this to the ACCC to approve it is that it will strengthen competition by giving Vodafone the extra coverage to level the playing field with the other two networks.

The deal would put Vodafone coverage on par with your average Telstra reseller, eg Aldi Mobile.

What I am curious about is, given that the coverage barrier would be largely removed from consideration, how many people would actually consider the telco switch now based on their other competitive factors (like plan prices and roaming)? Or has their previous reputation permanently damaged their image here in the the regional zones?

Poll Options expired

  • 5
    Yes - I actively intend to switch
  • 14
    I might switch depending on other factors
  • 42
    No - I have no intention to switch any time soon
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Comments

  • kipps on 17/09/2022 - 12:22

    There’s more to a network than just having access to the tower. Vodafone still has to maintain the radio equipment and offer the call and data service. It remains to be seen if this will even put Voda “on par”

    • Domingo on 17/09/2022 - 12:34
      +4

      That isn't true. The deal is MOCN sharing - both Telstra and TPG customers will be connecting to Telstra's network in those areas.

      Underlying network features will still differ between the providers, but for the included areas the network coverage will be the same for both providers. TPG will not maintain radio equipment at those sites.

    • JimmyF on 17/09/2022 - 12:36
      +2

      Most towers are now shared anyhow. Telstra sold them all off years ago. Look at the towers in the country and you'll see the layers. Top spot is normally Telstra, middle is optus then voda down the bottom.

      I believe this arrangement isn't so much access to the tower pole space, it is voda customers using Telstra equipment in the country aka like MVNO does in exchange for Telstra using spectrum that voda owns elsewhere.

      Voda doesn't need to roll out equiment aka $$$$ to get country coverage, and Telstra doesn't need to buy spectrum or be limited on what spectrum they have. Its a win win for them.

  • Domingo on 17/09/2022 - 12:27
    +1

    It isn't a network merge. TPG will get to share Telstra's transmitters only in specifical regional areas, in return for Telstra getting access to TPG's spectrum.

    TPG do not get access to Telstra's transmitters in areas outside those specific regions.

    • GordonD on 17/09/2022 - 13:18

      Yep, that's the problem. In Australia most of us don't live in the regional areas where there'll be sharing, we live in urban areas where they won't.

      In my outer urban area the tower sharing is between Optus and Vodafone, because their tower sell-offs meant they both use the same 3rd-party owned towers. So if you don't good/5G reception on Optus, you won't get it on Vodafone.

      • Domingo on 17/09/2022 - 13:21

        I'm sure if TPG wanted coverage in more areas they could have discussed it with Telstra, but Telstra would have wanted more in return.

        Telstra has spent a lot of money on its network rollout, they won't give it away for nothing.

      • Zephyrus on 18/09/2022 - 00:05

        The towers and the equipment on the towers are different. Just because you get good coverage on one, doesn't mean the others will be the same.

        There will be different antenna arrangments, they'll be at different heights, they might even skip a tower/use something different at the point entirely.

  • ESEMCE on 17/09/2022 - 12:29
    +1

    The people that need Telstra coverage will remain on Telstra (or Boost).
    Telstra Wholesale coverage is designed (restricted) to compete with Optus, not with Telstra.
    If anyone is going to lose here, it's Optus and MVNOs.

    • Mrsquigglekey on 17/09/2022 - 13:14
      +1

      Yeah, Optus is probably sweating a little, they’ve spent a decent effort to expand into regional, and now Vodafone will be able to advertise access to Telstra in regional centres. It won’t matter that it’s MVNO Telstra, Because advertising that says Vodafone Price for Telstra Access will win over a lot of folk who aren’t aware of the differences.

  • AndyC1 on 17/09/2022 - 13:47
    -1

    Access to a tower allows another mobile network to install a bunch of equipment near/next to the tower and then run cables up the tower to new antena installed on the tower. Access does not mean that TPG will use the existing antenna.

    In Sydney there are allot of towers that are shared between the three networks, but not all.

    The network roaming ability will be a good thing for TPG mobile users, but Telstra user should not move to TPG as Telstra does not allow other MVNO use some frequencies so TPG will not be as good as Telstra..

  • AwesomeAndrew on 17/09/2022 - 16:55

    Telstra is much faster than other mobile networks in my experience. The coverage on trains is also much more reliable with less drop outs (in Melbourne). I have no intention of switching unless I can save a lot of money by doing so (compared to the JB / TGG Telstra deals). Also it feels like Telstra post paid is given more priority on the network compared to Telstra pre paid and Telstra MVNO (eg Boost). So the speeds in regional areas will still be faster when using Telstra.

  • Clear on 18/09/2022 - 02:29
    +1

    Vodafone enterprise customers should be happy. Many had the bright idea of sending Vodafone SIM cards for routers in remote areas where Vodafone coverage is non existent. This isn't New Zealand.

  • the Unforgiven on 18/09/2022 - 08:41
    +2

    Move from Helstra? Hell yeah

  • taki on 18/09/2022 - 14:10

    When will they start? It sounds great as the old Orange CDMA roaming over Telstra for regional occasional use only for Metro customers (roaming expenses are minimised).

  • zzymurgy on 23/09/2022 - 13:02
    +1

    It won't make much difference in the bigger scheme of things.
    Telstra has spent many years positioning itself as the premium carrier. All large businesses (and government agencies) use Telstra without any discussion. You'd be crazy not to.

    The only customers who can be tempted to move off Telstra are the bargain-seekers. And they are not high-value customers anyway.

    So overall, I can't see any major changes to either revenue or network demand. Change will have to be gradual, and not until Vodafone develops a coverage guarantee.

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