OPTUS BOOSTS SA MOBILE COVERAGE WITH SMALL CELL CONNECTIVITY

Six locations across regional South Australia 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 six different locations in South Australia.

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 state and will boost mobile coverage for locals and travellers across six remote but significant locations.

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 follows the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spots Program announcement of funding for Round 2, which saw Optus responsible for building 15 sites across South Australia to address mobile black spots.

South Australia satellite small cell locations:

• Cadney Park
• Marla
• Dalhousie Springs
• Mt Dare hotel
• Wilpena Pound
• Maralinga

Media contact:

Optus Corporate Affairs

(02) 8082 7850 media@optus.com.au