Optus demonstrates Dynamic Spectrum Sharing via 5G video call

Optus has successfully made an end-to-end 5G video call whilst simultaneously streaming video content on a 4G device using Ericsson’s Spectrum Sharing technology. The international video call was made using the Optus 5G network in Australia and Singtel’s pilot 5G network in Singapore.

During the 5G video call our Optus network was able to assign spectrum resources on both 4G and 5G. This means the network was able to switch between 4G and 5G in milliseconds, supporting the different service video demands in both Australia and Singapore. The video call showcased the benefits of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, allowing the same spectrum to be used at the same time for both 4G and 5G networks rather than dedicating spectrum to only one network.

“While we have customers using our 5G network on live sites across Australia, we are looking at how we can maximise the future benefits of 5G,” said Kent Wu, Head of Access Network Planning & Quality. In future, we can deploy both 4G and 5G in the same band and dynamically allocate spectrum resources between 4G and 5G based on user demand, especially as we unlock new video experience services on 5G.

Optus is the first telco in Australia, and one of the few telcos in the world, to demonstrate Dynamic Spectrum Sharing with end to end capability.

This call is an example of how Optus will cater to existing 4G users whilst promoting the new 5G network to customers who live in 5G areas. This type of spectrum sharing is an important next step in our Optus 5G strategy, allowing us to focus on a seamless video experience technology like our new pop-up 4K Ultra HD Linear Live streamed channel featuring Channel Seven’s coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to Optus 5G Home customers via Fetch.