If the trial is successful it could lead to commercial network partnering, which would see the two mobile companies minimise the costs of rolling out infrastructure for the two companies' GSM networks to regional and rural Australia.
"This will ensure a competitive and efficient mobile services environment for the benefit of customers in those areas," Vodafone managing director Grahame Maher said. "Let's face it - customers don't care who operates the base stations - they just want the best possible service and choice in mobile providers. Network partnering that maintains that customer choice while reducing costs is a smart and logical solution that benefits all."
Vodafone had previously signed a deal with Hutchison enabling '3' customers to roam on the Vodafone network in areas not covered by Hutchison's network.
The move could see an extension of Vodafone's coverage across regional and rural Australia. "This network partnering aims to improve our existing standard of network service, but more importantly ensure its financial viability in regional Australia," said Maher. "If all goes according to plan, we will roll out the network partnering approach to benefit more customers."
Deena Shiff, managing director, Telstra Wholesale, described the deal as "a new commercial model that benefits everyone by removing unnecessary duplication at the network layer, while promoting competition in services for the benefit of consumers".
Maher has also told ZDNet Australia that Vodafone is looking at partnering with other telecommunications companies as the best way of launching its 3G network in 2005.
