WHAT'S BETTER THAN ONE FAST 4G NETWORK? TWO FAST 4G NETWORKS!

Minister for Technology The Hon. Gordon Rich-Phillips turns on the superfast Optus 4G Plus network for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide

Optus today turned on its 4G Plus network in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide to complement its existing 4G network. The superfast network was turned on today by Assistant Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Technology, The Hon Gordon Rich-Phillips at the National Tennis Centre.

4G Plus will be available from today in areas of Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney after the successful pilot in Canberra, which saw Optus road test this leading technology with 4G modems.

In an Australian first, Optus is now the only mobile provider to operate 4G from two high capacity network technologies. These complementary networks will provide the necessary capacity required for the growing demand in 4G data services.

4G Plus, Optus’ 4G TD-LTE* network, is being progressively rolled out across Australia’s major metropolitan centres alongside existing 4G FD-LTE network. Together, these complementary 4G technologies will help more customers connect to Optus’ superfast 4G network. This means more streaming, more video and more browsing while out and about.

David Epstein, Vice President Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at Optus said, “Australians can now experience life in the 4G fast lane with the Optus 4G Plus network. We’re effectively adding more lanes to the Optus 4G super highway, letting more people use our 4G network at the same time.

“That typically means a smoother ride with a better mobile internet experience, both on 4G Plus and in the other lanes too. More lanes on the highway can help ease congestion for data hungry consumers,” Mr Epstein said.

What about the phones?

Samsung and LG  have recently announced 4G Plus compatible smartphones.

The Optus 4G mobile broadband dongle and WiFi modem are currently in stores and are both 4G Plus ready too. They are also backward compatible with Optus’ 3G network, which now reaches 98 per cent of the Australian population for voice and data.

Samsung‘s GALAXY S4 Mini and the new version of the GALAXY S4 are dual mode, and will switch between the two 4G network bands. By combining both these network bands, Optus customers with compatible phones or modems will be able to take advantage of the depth and capacity offered by two 4G networks from the one device.

“These new smartphones will open up access to significantly more 4G capacity, allowing Optus customers to do more on their phones in more places,” David Epstein added.

Australians keen to get onto the Optus 4G fast lane will need to get their hands on a 4G Plus compatible device, have a 4G rate plan, and be in a 4G Plus coverage area.

Now for the techy stuff!

Optus’ new 4G Plus network operates on the 2300 MHz spectrum band with a technology called TD-LTE*. Optus’ current Optus 4G network runs off the 1800 MHz spectrum band, using a technology called FD-LTE.

Where is it available?

To see where and when we’re launching 4G Plus across metropolitan Australia, visit:https://www.optus.com.au/network/mobile/coverage.

How can I get one of the new 4G Plus devices?

The Samsung GALAXY S4 mini is now available in store and online at optus.com.au.

The LG G2 will be out in November.

* Currently, 4G networks in Australia run on FD-LTE, which uses two separate frequency channels, one for data travelling 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.

Media contact
Gabrielle Crittenden / Derek Lau

Optus Corporate Affairs
(02) 8082 7850