OPTUS SWITCHES ON 3X CARRIER AGGREGATION IN MELBOURNE CBD

1x FDD + 2x TDD technology delivering faster downloads to latest devices

Optus customers in the Melbourne CBD planning to grab a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ or Samsung Galaxy Note 5 can experience 3x Carrier Aggregation (3x CA) download speeds as soon as they unbox their new category 9 device. The 1x FDD + 2x TDD¹ technology powering 3x CA on the 4G Plus network in the Melbourne CBD has been switched on by Optus and technology partner Huawei, ahead of the two new Samsung category 9 devices being released in Australia on Friday 4 September. Ben White, Vice President of Mobile Marketing, Optus, said 3x CA uses three spectrum bands to deliver significantly improved download speeds compared to a single 4G channel. “This means Optus customers with a compatible category 9 device can expect faster downloads while wandering through Federation Square, enjoying a feed in Flinders Lane or relaxing at Flagstaff Gardens,” Mr White said. “With even more category 9 devices on the way, we will roll out more upgrades across the Optus 4G Plus network so that our customers can take full advantage of the latest technology.” Optus plans to roll out 3x CA to the Sydney CBD early next year, followed by the Brisbane and Adelaide CBDs from mid-2016. Optus was the first telecommunications provider in the world to deliver 3x CA using 1x FDD + 2x TDD technology with commercial network software and a commercial device. Last month Optus and technology partner Huawei switched on 3x CA in the Newcastle suburbs of Lambton, Mayfield and Mayfield West following extensive development and live testing, during which mobile data download speeds of 317Mbps were achieved. 2x Carrier Aggregation² technology already provides speed boosts to compatible category 6 devices in selected areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Hobart and Darwin as well as 20 major regional centres. Category 6 devices include the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Note edge, the HTC One M9, LG G4 and the Huawei Mate 7. Visit optus.com.au/4G for more details about superfast 4G Plus and compatible devices.   Media contact: Matt Sun Optus Corporate Affairs (02) 8082 7850   Note to editors: ¹ 3x Carrier Aggregation on Optus 4G Plus is powered by the world’s first commercial 1x Frequency-Division Duplexing and 2x Time-Division Duplexing LTE Advanced network, using a unique combination of 20+20MHz of 2300 MHz and 15MHz paired of 1800 MHz spectrum. ² 2x Carrier Aggregation on the Optus 4G Plus network uses several combinations of 4G spectrum bands including 2300MHz and 2300MHz in selected capital cities, 700MHz and 1800MHz in selected capital cities and major metropolitan areas and 700 MHz and 2600MHz in major regional town centres.