OPTUS FLICKS SWITCH ON MORE 4G, BOOSTS REGIONAL COVERAGE

4G 2600MHz now live in 40 new regional towns, ACMA grants Optus early access licences for 4G 700MHz

Optus is accelerating its 4G rollout across Australian regional and holiday areas ahead of summer, with 4G 2600MHz services now switched on in sites across 40 regional centres and early access licence approvals granted from Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for 4G 700MHz in 200 regional locations. Optus Networks Managing Director, Vic McClelland said: “This is a great opportunity for Optus to bring forward the benefits of 4G for customers for the peak summer holiday period. It reaffirms Optus’ commitment to deliver 4G consumer choice and competition.” “Already we have turned on our first 4G [2600MHz] sites in more than 40 towns and will continue to light up 4G on both 2600MHz and 700MHz spectrum, as it becomes available.” Mr McClelland said, “Early access licenses for 700MHz spectrum give Optus the option to turn on 4G earlier than anticipated in many regional and holiday locations.” “700MHz spectrum is due to become nationally available from January 2015, however, with ACMA approving early access, we will look to provide customers with compatible devices a taste of 4G as quickly as possible.” Mr McClelland said Optus would continue to upgrade towers and test before switching on 4G 700MHz, but when live, regional customers will enjoy a faster and more consistent mobile internet experience. Earlier this month Optus announced it had expanded its existing 4G 700MHz coverage across greater Darwin. The first Optus 4G 700MHz sites are now also live in Toowoomba, Ballarat, Bendigo, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Nowra, Port Macquarie, Urunga, Bundaberg and Murray Bridge amongst many others. Optus customers with compatible 4G 700MHz devices such as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G3, Sony Xperia Z3 and HTC One (M8) will be able to access Optus 4G services. “Optus will continue to announce areas where 4G is available using the new 700 MHz spectrum,” Mr McClelland said. The new locations will significantly expand the reach of Optus’ existing 4G network, with plans to cover 90% of the Australian population by April 2015. “From January 2015, as the 700MHz spectrum becomes nationally available** for commercial use, we will ramp up our program to deliver 4G to more people across regional Australia,” Mr McClelland said. Customers can check existing coverage and the plans for 4G over the next three to six months by visiting www.optus.com.au/coverage.  

Background: OPTUS FIRES UP MORE 4G, TOWNS WITH THE FIRST LIVE 4G 2600 MHz SITES*

*Supporting compatible devices

**700MHz spectrum available from January 2015; 2600MHz spectrum available from October 2014 (except Perth and Regional WA, February 2016).

Media contact:

Steve Batten

Optus Corporate Affairs

(02) 8082 7850

media@optus.com.au