Vodafone Australia have just announced the final stages of its much anticipated $500 million high speed 3G network upgrade for major regional centres.

The upgrade expands 3G services to Vodafone customers in areas including Albury-Wodonga, Ballarat, Ballina, Bunbury, Byron Bay, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Kiama, Lismore, Mackay, Newcastle, Toowoomba, Townsville, Wollongong, Bowral, Nowra and Wagga Wagga.

This is great news for those living in the city of Hobart who have previously been without any 3G service on Vodafone.

The upgrade comes 1 year late after Vodafone chief executive Russell Hewitt said the project was its “number one priority for 2008″ in late December of 2007.

Customers in all other existing Vodafone 2G coverage areas throughout Australia are planned to experience Vodafone 3G services by the 31st of August.

Once the upgrade is complete 3G coverage is expected to reach 94 per cent of the Australian population.

Andy Reeves, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone Australia said:

“Vodafone’s national network upgrade will generate greater competition in the telecommunication market and provide greater choice for more Australian customers.

“It’s great news for Vodafone customers, and we will continue to invest in the network to provide high quality service when and where it’s needed most.

Tech Wired Australia has been delayed this week – so here is a quick update of some WWDC info – Did not mention Apple’s new Mobile Me (me.com) but will in the next audio episode

As rumors suggested, the much anticipated 3G iPhone has been released at Apple’s World Wide Developers conference.

As rumors suggested it is everything that has been speculated about.

It is available in Australia on the following two networks:

All of today’s Apple announcements can be pretty much summarised quickly by browsing over there press release titles for today.

New 3G iPhone released – $199USD for 8GB – $299USD for 16GB – Available July 11 in 22 countries (INCLUDING AUSTRALIA!) – On the Vodafone & Optus networks in Australia.

Vodafone says that the 3G iPhone will be available on both prepay and contract price plans.

OS X 10.6 will be named Snow Leopard

Game Apps have been introduced for the iPhone

iPhone firmware 2.0 will be released in July and will be free for iPhone users and $10 for iPod Touch users

.Mac gets replaced by Mobile Me – Free upgrade for .Mac users