PBA launches wireless data network in Brisbane, Melbourne

PBA spokesperson Antoni Lee said that the two openings were the network provider's first steps in keeping with its plan to extend its coverage over Brisbane and Melbourne.

The company said it also expected to launch the iBurst service in Canberra within weeks.

PBA is scrambling against time to get its iBurst services rolled out, competing with carriers such as Hutchison and Vodafone who have pushed down prices in response to the entrance of iBurst resellers such as Ozemail

Vodafone slashed unlimited monthly data usage fees for its wireless network from AU$150 to AU$49.95 per month two weeks ago to match pricing for Ozemail's entry level iBurst service which went live in late September.

Portable wireless broadband provider Unwired's entry level offering for its service is priced at around AU$35 per month for a 256/64Kbps connection with a 300MB download allowance.

Unwired's premium service is priced at AU$119.95 per month, offers a 1024/256Kbps connection with a 10GB download allowance.