OPTUS BOOSTS NT MOBILE COVERAGE WITH SMALL CELL CONNECTIVITY

Five locations across regional Northern Territory to provide localised mobile phone coverage.

Optus has continued its investment into regional mobile coverage with plans for the installation of satellite small cells across five different locations in Northern Territory.

The small units, known as ‘small cells’, provide the potential for an inexpensive and flexible alternative to traditional mobile towers, and when used in conjunction with satellite connectivity and backhaul, provides the combined benefits of expanding mobile broadband coverage in a concentrated local area in rural, remote and previously unserviced locations.

The small cells will be located at selected locations across the territory and will boost mobile coverage for locals and travellers across five remote but significant locations. Optus’ investment follows its announcement in August to roll out 15 satellite cells across the Territory.

Optus Networks acting Managing Director, Dennis Wong, said, “We are investing significantly to strengthen and broaden our mobile network coverage in regional areas, and this rollout is a natural progression following the small cell infrastructure that was successfully delivered in the Northern Territory earlier this year.

“We’ve seen that this technology delivers a choice in mobile services for workers and residents in and around key locations, as well as providing for visitors, making it a vital improvement to our network in remote regions,” Mr Wong said.

The small cells deliver mobile phone coverage up to a 3 kilometre radius depending on the surrounding topography.

“Optus is well established as a provider of satellite networking technology, and we are continuing to expand and innovate to provide mobile and satellite solutions for our customers across the country,” said Mr Wong.

This investment also follows the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spots Program announcement of funding for Round 2, which saw Optus responsible for building 13 sites across Northern Territory to address mobile black spots.

Northern Territory satellite small cell locations:

• Kulgera
• Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse
• Ross River Homestead
• Simpsons Gap Visitor Centre
• Glen Helen Homestead

Media contact:

Optus Corporate Affairs

(02) 8082 7850

media@optus.com.au