OPTUS SUCCESSFULLY TRIALS LTE MOBILE TECHNOLOGY WITH NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS IN METROPOLITAN SYDNEY

Optus and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) announced today the successful demonstration of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology operating on 2100 MHz spectrum.

During extensive field testing, using pre-commercial LTE USB dongles over 10 MHz of spectrum, the technology achieved peak download speeds of over 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 20 Mbps.

The LTE trials, conducted in metropolitan Sydney as part of the first phase of LTE testing on the Optus mobile network, yielded results showcasing significantly reduced network latency, improved connectivity and enhanced mobile streaming capabilities when compared to 3G. Lab tests reached speeds of up to 73Mbps over 10 MHz of spectrum.

At a media demonstration today, Optus and NSN showcased a number of services enabled by LTE technology, including high definition video conferencing, 3D video streaming and gaming.

Andrew Buay, Managing Director, Optus Products and Delivery, said the trials demonstrated what will be a reality for mobile and mobile broadband users in the not too distant future.

"The results achieved during the first phase of our LTE testing are indicative of delivering an experience superior to that of 3G mobile networks.

"The findings are particularly encouraging for enterprise and corporate customers, especially in sectors such as health and education. The technology has the potential to revolutionise the delivery of education by mobilising telepresence and making the virtual classroom a reality. Educators using LTE will be able to use high definition video conferencing and multimedia capabilities to deliver sessions regardless of location.

"LTE will become a reality for consumers and businesses as devices capable of leveraging these higher mobile broadband speeds become available to the Australian mobile market," said Mr Buay.

Buay added the LTE trials were part of Optus ongoing commitment to Australian consumers and businesses to deliver a stable, reliable and robust mobile network service to improve the user experience.

"Optus continues to build on the significant investment in its network to support mobile and data growth and improve customer experience; investing in trials of LTE technology is another step in continuing to deliver a high quality customer experience.

"To foster further investment and planning for LTE deployment it is imperative that the Government release a comprehensive spectrum policy roadmap for the 700MHz and the 2.5GHz bands," said Mr Buay.

Kalevi Kostiainen, head of Nokia Siemens Networks, Australia and New Zealand said Nokia Siemens Networks has a long standing strategic vendor relationship with Optus.

"There is an great opportunity to exploit good quality broadband. In the very near future, the efficiency that LTE brings will likely make a dramatic contribution to everyday life," said Mr Kostiainen.

The SingTel Group announced in 2009 coordinated regional LTE trials across Asia Pacific with an array of vendors in four countries, to assess the feasibility of LTE technology in live network conditions. Optus will conduct the second phase of testing in the coming months, utilising the 1800 MHz spectrum band.

For more information:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 7846