OPTUS TO ROLL OUT AUSTRALIAS FIRST MULTI-BAND 4G NETWORK

• Optus announces 2013/14 network plans and strategy beyond 2014, including rolling out Australia’s first multi-band 4G network.
• Optus to expand its 4G network coverage to over 70 per cent of the Australian metropolitan population by mid-2014.
• Optus’ 3G coverage reaches 98 per cent of the Australian population.  

Optus unveils its network plans for the coming year, with a number of major initiatives that will improve the coverage, speed and capacity of its 4G network, and enhance the strength and consistency of its 3G network.

Mr Günther Ottendorfer, Managing Director of Optus Networks said, “After significant network deployment over the last year, including launching 4G and major 3G upgrades, the Optus network reaches 98 per cent of the Australian population.”

“This gives our customers the freedom that extended coverage brings – mobile calls, SMS, social media, email, apps – all available in more places than ever before.”

Optus has now upgraded more than 4,000 3G sites nationally and launched 4G in five state capitals, as well as several major regional centres like the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.

“Reaching these milestones is just the beginning. Our focus over the coming year is to continue strengthening our 3G network, growing our 4G network, and expanding our 4G technologies to include TD-LTE, starting with the launch of TD-LTE in Canberra,” Mr Ottendorfer said.

Optus today announced the launch of its TD-LTE network in Canberra, with a customer trial of the first TD-LTE compatible product, the Optus 4G Dual band dongle and WiFi modem.

Currently, 4G networks in Australia run on FD-LTE, which uses two separate frequency channels, one for data traveling in each direction. TD-LTE is a new flavour of 4G technology, where the upload and download of data happens on the same frequency, but at different times.

“Optus’ customers will start to enjoy the next generation of 4G with the pilot stage of our 4G TD-LTE network kicking off in Canberra,” Mr Ottendorfer said.

Andrew Smith, Optus’ Vice President of Mobile Engineering team, outlined the network strategy for the coming year.

“Optus will be the first Australian carrier to take its network to the next level with a combined TD/FD-LTE 4G network. Our aim is to expand coverage for both types of 4G in the coming year to reach over 70 per cent of the metro population by mid-2014,” Mr Smith said.

“As part of our national rollout this coming year, many new mobile sites and upgrades across metro locations will have the combined 4G technologies of TD-LTE and FD-LTE , allowing customers with compatible devices access to Optus’ superfast 4G in more places,” Mr Smith said.

The combined 4G TD 2300 MHz/FD-LTE 1800 MHz networks referred to as Optus’ 4G Dual Band Network will be available to customers using 4G Dual Band Devices, with the first of those devices, mobile broadband modems, available from early June.

Optus’ network rollout this year will also include preparing its mobile network for the new 700 MHz and 2500 MHz spectrum it acquired in the recent auction.

“Preparing our mobile network in the coming year for 700 MHz and 2500 MHz spectrum means when it becomes available for use, we’ll be ready to flick the switch and give our customers swift access to the stronger 4G coverage it allows,” Mr Smith said.

“This strategy of combining 4G technologies – low-band 4G frequency for strong coverage, high-band spectrum to increase network capacity – gives Optus flexibility to meet our customers’ need for additional capacity and faster network speeds,” Mr Smith continued.

“Our newly acquired spectrum, robust network rollout plans and focus on giving brilliant service means we are well-placed to provide more customers with access to Optus’ great service and network, and deliver true choice and competition in mobile services to Australian consumers.” Mr Ottendorfer concluded.

For more information go to https://www.optus.com.au/network/mobile/4gplus?SID=con:net:lp:her:1:4gplus:network:banner:img

Media contact

Melanie Vine
Optus Corporate Affairs
(02) 8082 7850