Optus says voice calls and SMS in vogue; ‘mocial’ is the new black, and 2015 is the year of data, video and 4G.
Voice calls and SMS are up according to Optus, as network data from Christmas Day reveals more people made mobile and fixed line phone calls compared to 2013, while data consumption proved more popular than a Christmas Day roast.
Optus statistics released today show SMS increased by 3 per cent between (AESDT) 12.00am Christmas morning to 12.00am on Boxing Day, while mobile calls increased by 5 per cent for the same period.
David Epstein, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Optus said, “It appears what’s old is new again, with increases in mobile and fixed line calls, and SMS up on last year.”
“In 2014 we appear to have taken the time to reach out to loved ones, friends and family over Christmas with a phone call or SMS.”
Optus Christmas Day Network Highlights[i]:
- 1.8 million more SMS than 2013 (up 3%) to 61.8 million
- 1.5 million more mobile calls than 2013 (up 5%) to 33.4 million
- 1.4 million more fixed line calls than 2013 (up 7%) to 22.6 million
- Overall data volume 382Tbs [terabytes] (up 48%) – the total amount of data downloaded and uploaded across Christmas Day
Mr Epstein said the huge uplift in data speeds and volumes over Christmas pointed to an interesting shift in consumer behaviour.
New Year Predictions
“This New Year’s Eve we know customers will use instant message services, ‘check in’ on social media platforms and share their celebrations by uploading images and videos. We predict data volumes on the Optus network will increase by nearly 60 per cent compared to New Year’s Eve 2013,” Mr Epstein said.
“This data consumption will set the platform for 2015 which we expect to be the year of 4G, data and video, as 4G services expand and new devices become available for consumers.”
Even more Australians will enjoy 4G services in 2015 as new 4G spectrum becomes available from New Year’s Day. Optus will be expanding its 4G network nationally with 700MHz spectrum.
“From January 1, 700MHz spectrum will be officially available which means more people nationally will enjoy superfast 4G. Optus is rolling out 700MHz in the capital cities and in more and more regional towns, rural and holiday areas. Some Optus customers in regional Australia will enjoy 4G services for the first time,” said Mr Epstein.
Optus will accelerate its 4G rollout nationally with plans to bring 4G coverage to 90 per cent of the Australian population by April 2015.
“4G improves the data experience. We know that customers are hungry for data whether they are downloading music, TV and movies on the go, gaming on their tablets or uploading images and video. With 4G, they are able to enjoy faster data,” said Mr Epstein.
Optus has already turned on 4G sites in more than 50 regional towns, and in many holiday centres after being granted early access licence approval to 700 MHz spectrum from Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Optus customers with a range of compatible 4G 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 the expanding Optus 4G 700MHz network.
Customers can check existing coverage and the plans for 4G over the next few months by visiting www.optus.com.au/coverage.
Media contacts:
Steve Batten
Optus Corporate Affairs
(02) 8082 7850
Fuel Communications
Sarah Tsiros
0466 805 364
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