5 Questions on 5G with Kent Wu

1. What is the biggest public misconception about 5G?

The biggest misconception revolves around the capabilities of 5G today compared with those in years to come. 5G today is mainly comprised of a much-improved mobile broadband service and capability of delivering a fast home broadband with fixed wireless access. It’s a technology that, with its high bandwidth, improves the experience of network demanding services, like streaming high or ultra-high definition video, as well as improving the user experience and reliability of services, even when they are used by multiple people at once.  

While 5G benefits are available today, there is also a range of new 5G technologies that will emerge over time. Some of these include Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications, which will power applications like driverless cars and remote surgery, and Massive IoT, which will power sensor networks, smart homes and smart cities. At Optus, we continuously work with technology partners, consumers and businesses to develop and drive 5G capabilities. While some of these technologies are still a few years away, it’s important to begin these discussions early on to drive the industry in the right direction.

2. What is planned for the network rollout of 5G in 2020?

Optus has an exciting year ahead, starting with a growing number of 5G sites that will cater to both 5G Home and 5G Mobile. These sites will be introduced throughout the year, with further services to be available in select towns and regional areas. We’re also assigning even more spectrum to 5G, which will allow us to increase both coverage and capacity for our customers. It will also be also a great year for 5G-capable handsets, with many mobiles due to be released with improved 5G capabilities.

3. How does the network team select 5G site locations?

5G site locations are strategically chosen to meet the needs of our customers. This is why we offer sites in suburban areas of major cities as well as key hotspots of activity, including transport hubs and busy CBD locations. There are hundred of sites currently available, with coverage across Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and other key locations in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, with further 5G sites continuously being rolled out.

4. What excites you the most about the future technology that 5G can provide?

The most exciting future technologies for me personally are those that will combine the power of 5G’s enhanced mobile broadband and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Services. A great example of this is Remote Surgery, which will demand high 5G bandwidth for high definition video clarity and ultra-reliable low latency to ensure doctors can observe and react to patients in real time. Ultra-reliable low latency is also required to ensure that the chosen actions, such as making an incision during surgery, are realised by robotics with high precision and in real time. 5G is set to power this exciting shift in the health industry, providing the necessary connectivity to enhance human lives and machine interactions and operations.

5. Looking beyond 2020, how do you see 5G changing the way we live?

As 5G technology and Optus spectrum acquisition evolves, a larger range of 5G capabilities will emerge. This includes: ultra-wideband spectrum, which will allow for an even faster connection, wireless broadcasting and the evolution of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR); Ultra-reliable low latency communications, which will be a key part of powering technologies such as driverless cars and enhanced gaming; and Massive IoT, which will allow more people to enjoy the benefits of smart homes and smart cities, which are set to change the way we live on a day-to-day basis. Overall, these capabilities will revolutionise our entertainment experiences, improve our health and safety, pave the way for new industrial revolution, and provide us with instant, uninterrupted and uncompromised access to a vast array information.