Australian carrier Vodafone has announced that it is completely modernizing and consolidating its core network with Ericsson. According to operator, its new core network will offer greater network agility and flexibility, create cost efficiencies, and enable the introduction of new LTE (4G) services. 

Among the new services will be the introduction of Voice over 4G (also known as VoLTE), which the company will launch in 2015 following trials later this year.

Vodafone also announced 4G roaming in New Zealand. More than 2.5 million Vodafone postpaid customers will now benefit from 4G data speeds when roaming in New Zealand. For $5 extra a day Vodafone’s Red plan customers can use the inclusions from their plan at home. When in New Zealand, Vodafone customers will automatically roam onto the Vodafone New Zealand LTE network.

Last month, Vodafone said its 4G network would reach 95 per cent of Australia’s metropolitan population by the end of 2014 by utilizing its low-band 850MHz spectrum holding.

The five-year network evolution program will also see Vodafone adopting Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) in the core network which will provide greater network agility and flexibility and create cost efficiencies.