Telstra expands 4G data speed horizons

Telstra is pursuing international roaming agreements in countries that have 4G networks compatible with its own to allow customers access to faster data rates when they are overseas.

The telco has announced that it has signed its first reciprocal roaming agreement with CSL in Hong Kong, allowing Telstra 4G customers to roam on CSL's 4G network while in Hong Kong and vice versa for CSL's customers when they visited Australia.

Telstra is a part owner of CSL. In June last year the Hong Kong operator signed a world-first 4G roaming deal with SK Telecom in Korea.

Executive director of networks and access technologies, Mike Wright, said the CSL agreement means faster mobile data speeds for customers when they were in Hong Kong.

Wright indicated that 4G data usage would be charged at 3G roaming data rates.

In Hong Kong, Telstra charges 1.5c per kilobyte of data used, which equates to $15.36 per megabyte. Prepaid users can buy data 'plus packs' and monthly plans are also available.

Wright said Telstra "is working on similar agreements with operators in other countries" that run 4G networks in the 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands.