Vodafone Australia will become the nation's first operator to use the national broadband network's cell site access service (CSAS) for 4G coverage.
The NBN's first CSAS site in Molong in the state of New South Wales has been deployed under the government's mobile black spot program.
Vodafone will use the new service to provide coverage in the area, deploying extra antennas on to one of the NBN's fixed wireless towers.
The operator plans to switch on another Mobile Black Spot Program site by the end of the first quarter and has been investing to expand its own network in more regional areas.
“We are competing vigorously to improve and expand our service in regional Australia,” Vodafone CEO Inaki Berroeta said.
“By working with government and participating in the Mobile Black Spots Program, we are seeking to expand access to mobile coverage for regional Australians to help deliver all of the economic and social benefits it enables.”
The NBN has been promising to introduce the CSAS since 2013. But Computerworld Australiareports that the nation's two other MNOs - Telstra and Optus - currently have no plans to utilize the service. The report also notes that Australian regulators mandate the sharing of tower infrastructure for the colocation of equipment and use of backhaul links.