Super-fast 4G phone here next week

Global mobile operators are moving to faster fourth-generation networks. Source: AFP

AUSTRALIA'S first 4G phone, the HTC Velocity, is available to be ordered and will hit stores on Tuesday.

The 4G smartphone will have super-fast mobile internet access offering download speeds between 2MB and 40MB a second - faster than many broadband connections.

The phone will not run 4G Voice over Internet Protocol phone calls, and will, for now, rely on the 3G network for communications just as SMS.

The phone will be available for $79 a month on a 24-month plan with $800 of included calls and MMS, unlimited SMS and 2GB of data.