WOOHOO WOLLONGONG! OPTUS BRINGS 4G TO TOWN

Launch of Optus 4G signals the beginning of a major network overhaul in Wollongong

Optus 4G has landed in Wollongong, delivering superfast 4G speeds for consumers and businesses using their 4G-ready mobile devices for everything from browsing social media, streaming videos to online shopping.

Optus 4G has been switched on at five mobile sites in central Wollongong, kicking off a series of extensive network upgrades and expansions in the greater Illawarra area in the coming six months, which will also include upgrades to the Optus 3G network.

“Our customers have told us the three key things they want from their network provider are data speeds that meet their needs, strong reception in their homes, and reliable coverage when on the go,” said David Epstein, Vice-President, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at Optus.

“To deliver on our customers’ expectations in these three key areas, we’ve committed to upgrading many of our existing mobile sites in Wollongong and surrounding areas. In conjunction, we’re also developing new sites that will enhance the capacity and reach of mobile coverage for our customers.”

Optus 4G delivers the ideal network experience for the growing number of data intensive applications on smartphones and tablets. Over the next six months, 4G coverage will be progressively expanded to customers in select areas of:

• Shellharbour
• Kiama
• Figtree
• Woonona
• Maddens Plains
• Calderwood
• Fern Hill
• Unanderra
• Port Kembla
• West Dapto
• Warilla
• Shell Cove
• Blackbutt

Optus has recently upgraded more than 4,000 3G sites across metro and major rural markets nationally, which has resulted in stronger 3G signals and improved indoor coverage for Optus mobile customers. The next phase of upgrades will see 41 Optus mobile sites across the Illawarra region upgraded to provide better mobile coverage for customers with compatible 3G dual-band devices.

For customers on the go, Optus is also working on adding more mobile sites into its greater Illawarra network. Over the next 18 months, new sites will be activated with both 4G and upgraded 3G coverage at select areas of:

• Albion Park Water Reservoir
• Austimer
• Berkeley North
• Bulli Station
• Cobblers Hills East
• Coledale
• East West Link
• Fairy Meadow
• Farmborough Heights
• Gwynneville
• Kanahooka
• Koonawarra
• Lakelands
• Mt Ousely
• Mt St Thomas North
• North Wollongong
• Ocean Park
• Port Kembla
• Primbee
• Russell Vale
• Scarborough
• Thirroul
• Unanderra South
• Warilla
• Windang
• Yallah

“We’ve already completed a number of capacity upgrades to the Wollongong network so far this year. With the launch of Optus 4G, the addition of new mobile sites, ongoing expansion of 4G and upgrades to 3G – we’re saying ‘Yes!’ to a better experience for our customers,” David Epstein added.

Since the switch-on of Optus 4G services in Newcastle in April last year, Optus has rolled out 4G in select areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Toowoomba as well as the Newcastle and Hunter regions. The Optus mobile network now reaches more than 98 per cent of the Australian population for voice and data, and services over 9.5 million mobile customers. Please see optus.com.au/4GCoverage for more information.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Derek Lau
Optus Corporate Affairs
media@optus.com.au (02) 8082 7850