vividwireless keeps pushing its impressively fast download speeds

While some of us curse at dropped connections and variable download speeds, vividwireless has been teasing for the last 12 months with the promise of average wireless Internet speeds "similar with ADSL2+ and cable".

But with the ISP limited to Perth and certain areas of Sydney and Melbourne, we can only wonder when and if the service will undergo further expansion - especially as the prices are more competitive than ever.

The ISP now has an 8GB plan (up from 5GB) for $35 on a month to month plan. That compares with $39.95 for 8GB peak and up to 16GB offpeak over at Optus on a 12 month plan, and $39 for 6GB over at Three on a 12 month contract.

As we've already reported, the initial vision for vividwireless was for 4G services across five capital cities. As well as large download caps, including an unlimited plan launched last year, the company's promotional material claims an average download speed of 6.7Mbps.

Interestingly, the ISPs now also offers voice - an $89 "broadband & phone" package with unlimited data. No fixed telephone line is required.

For those unable to get cable or ADSL2+, speeds and data quotas of this type could be useful. Yet millions of Internet users are more than likely unaware of vividwireless, as they're not in the ISP's coverage area.

In addition to the Telstra Ultimate USB modem which Telstra says provides typical download speeds from 1Mbps up to 20Mbps, Telstra and various other ISPs including vividwireless have been testing LTE, which also offers download speeds over wireless faster than current 3G services.