Telstra 'switched on' its new 5G network in central Wagga on Wednesday, becoming the city's first provider to offer the 'cutting edge' fast mobile internet service.
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The new technology promises faster and more responsive internet connections for a new generation of mobile devices, drones and self-driving cars.
Telstra NSW regional general manager Chris Taylor said Wagga had "taken a step towards the 5G future".
"It is really exciting that Wagga will be among the first cities in Australia, indeed the world, to have access to 5G connectivity," he said.
"Telstra has been leading the way to pioneer 5G technology - with a number of world and Australian firsts - and make it available to Australian consumers.
"Now with its first 5G site on air, customers in Wagga have a chance to be part of that cutting edge. Further to this, as we roll out this new 5G technology, it will also improve 4G capacity and speeds."
Most of the new 5G coverage areas are around Baylis Street and the Sturt and Olympic highways in central Wagga.
Large parts of north Wagga and the city's southern suburbs below parts of Ashmont, Turvey Park and Kooringal were not included in the rollout, at least on the launch day.
Wagga's Anomaly Software director Dev Mukherjee said 5G would benefit the city's residents and businesses and he hoped Telstra's launch would put pressure on rival networks to follow suit.
"It obviously means that the experience on mobiles will be better" he said.
"We produce internet software that operates on desktop computers and on mobile and for us it means that we will be able to deliver more engaging services to customers, so it's a welcome thing for us.
"Internet-connected cars and 'internet of things' devices will be able to transmit data more efficiently."
Mr Taylor demonstrated 5G's capabilities to The Daily Advertiser via a smartphone on Baylis Street.
He was able to achieve speeds that were three to five times faster than the National Broadband Network and ten times faster than 4G mobile network.
Download speeds hit an average of 498 megabits per second for downloads and 40 megabits for uploads during a speed test that was completed at a time when few people in Wagga were connected to 5G.
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There are only a handful of smartphones currently for sale in Australia with 5G antennas, mainly via the new Galaxy and Note models from Samsung.
The highly popular Apple iPhone smartphone has yet to offer a 5G option.
Telstra requires an additional $15 monthly charge on its cheaper SIM-only plans to access the 5G network.
Telstra also launched its 5G services in Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour and Albury on Wednesday.
Australia's other major mobile network providers, Optus and Vodafone, are expected to greatly expand their own 5G services during 2020.