OPTUS BOOSTS WOLLONGONG MOBILE RELIABILITY AND DATA SPEEDS

Plans for investment to further improve network coverage for Wollongong

Wollongong Optus customers downloading the latest apps or streaming video to their smartphone can enjoy a faster and more reliable experience with new sites and network enhancements rolled out to the local area.

During the past two years Optus has switched on 20 new mobile sites across Wollongong and selected areas as part of our ongoing investment to enhance the Optus network experience for local residents and businesses.

These additional 20 sites provide enhanced 3G and 4G coverage and improved reliability in key locations such as the University of Wollongong, Berkeley, Fairy Meadow, Farmborough Heights, Mount Ousley, Port Kembla, Unanderra and Woonona.

Network enhancements have expanded 4G data coverage, increased data download speeds, improved mobile voice call quality and introduced WiFi calling for Optus customers across the Wollongong area, with more plans to improve network coverage and reliability still to come.

4G in more places 

Dennis Wong, Managing Director of Networks at Optus said, “Wollongong is one of the hundreds of Australian locations enjoying the benefits of Optus’ superfast 4G Plus network, which now reaches close to 90 per cent of the Australian population.”

“Our 4G roll out in the Wollongong area using 700 MHz spectrum, which provides enhanced indoor data coverage, means Optus customers with compatible phones can enjoy superfast downloads, browsing and streaming both indoors and out and about. It can also benefit Optus 3G customers as it helps free up network capacity as more people hop onto 4G,” Mr Wong said.

Faster speeds, more reliability

As well as better 4G coverage, Optus also recently upgraded 4G speeds in Wollongong and selected areas with the latest LTE Advanced technologies.

“With these latest upgrades, data hungry customers with the need for speed could enjoy even faster data downloads in selected Wollongong suburbs. To benefit, customers will need to use a device featuring our ‘even faster speeds on 4G Plus’ badge,” Mr Wong said.

Introducing 3G HD Voice and WiFi calling

Optus mobile voice call quality has also improved with the introduction of 3G High Definition (HD) voice technology earlier this year, which provides sharper and clearer audio for Optus to Optus mobile calls using HD Voice compatible devices.

“3G HD Voice improves the voice call experience by providing better sound quality and less background noise – it’s as if the person you’re talking to on the phone is in the same room as you,” Mr Wong said.

In August, Optus also introduced the WiFi Talk app which allows Optus customers to make or receive calls or send and receive text messages on their smartphone via a WiFi connection in areas with limited mobile coverage.

“As the first Australian telco to launch WiFi calling, Optus is providing customers with an innovative way to stay connected via a WiFi access point if mobile coverage is limited when indoors at home or in public places, such as shopping centres1. The app uses your existing Optus mobile number, so people calling or texting you don’t need to have the app or do anything differently,” Mr Wong said.

WiFi Talk is available to Optus prepaid and postpaid customers using a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone.

What’s next for Wollongong

Additional new mobile sites along key Wollongong transport routes are being planned by Optus, including on Picton Road, Waterfall station, Helensburgh and Clifton.

Last financial year, Optus invested more than $1.5 billion in its mobile network, including acquiring new spectrum, expanding 4G coverage, boosting network capacity and turning on new towers.

“These improvements are part of our commitment to Optus customers in Wollongong and ensuring we bring more mobile choice and competition to regional Australia Our substantial investment means even more customers will be able to benefit from faster mobile internet, more reliable coverage and improved voice call quality,” Mr Wong said.

Media contacts:

Matt Sun

Optus Corporate Affairs

(02) 8082 7850

1 Subject to WiFi availability in the building/area and individual WiFi connection firewall settings. For further information about WiFi Talk, including WiFi connection data usage, visit optus.com.au/wifitalk or download the app from the Google Play or Apple App Store. Requires iPhone or Android handset with iOS version 6 and Android 4.0 and above.