AAP
Perth's wireless broadband blackspots will be eliminated when Vivid Wireless launches Australia's first fourth-generation (4G) wireless broadband network in about a two weeks, its chairman Ryan Stokes says.
The new 4G network will be rolled out in other cities in the next 12 months, Mr Stokes told a briefing in Perth on Thursday.
The rollout would focus initially on wireless hot-spots such as universities and airports.
Mr Stokes is the son of Seven Network Ltd chairman Kerry Stokes and is also a director of the television group.
He said Perth was chosen as the starting point for the new network because it was under-serviced and was the Stokes family's hometown.
"Perth is where we can make the difference," Mr Stokes said.
"There are a lot of blackspots in Perth ... as well as in the broader community.
"We will have full coverage in the city from day one. The country and particularly Perth needs competitive communications. We believe it will be embraced."
Mr Stokes said the network would be the most advanced in Australia and one of the most advanced networks in the world.
"It will be dedicated to providing efficient, improved broadband," he said.
"We believe we will reshape the communication environment and change expectations of how consumers access the internet."
Mr Stokes said the service's speed and quality of coverage would surpass competitors' and remove "bill shock" with simple and transparent billing conditions.
"Compared to other wireless offerings, we'll have a very efficient price point," Mr Stokes told reporters after the briefing.
He said consumers would be able to access wireless broadband on multiple devices from the one account.
