Optus launches 4.5G network across Macquarie Park, achieves testing through speeds of 1.03Gbps by utilising 4.5G technologies of 4CC/5CC Carrier Aggregation, 4x4MIMO and 256QAM.
Optus has taken a step towards 5G, switching on 4.5G network services across the suburb of Macquarie Park, Sydney’s hi-tech innovation district, north-west of the city.
Dennis Wong, Managing Director of Networks at Optus, said, “4.5G is a key area of investment for our network evolution towards 5G. It is an important enabler for 5G and we are excited to be able to deliver this new initiative to our customers at Macquarie Park.
“One of the largest business districts in Sydney and home to our Sydney headquarters, we chose Macquarie Park as it offers a wide range of infrastructure: a university, shopping centre, transport hubs and a strong cross section of residential and business customers across 10 square kilometres. The precinct is Sydney’s technology hub and it is this diversity that will ensure we’re able to see how the network performs in a wide variety of scenarios.
Initially, 4.5G will also be rolled out in selected capital cities and in the next twelve months, is expected to reach over 70% of the Optus network in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Speeds of 1.03Gbps were achieved in testing[i]. The launch of 4.5G is set to offer immediate significant benefits for customers in the area including improved customer experience during periods of high usage as a result of larger network capacity. When commercial devices become available during 2017, customers in the area will experience higher throughput speeds than currently available on Optus’ 4G+ network.
The result of a partnership between Optus and Huawei, the launch follows a number of successful trials of the 4.5G technology in 2016.
“Ultimately, the launch is a step closer to Optus being able to deliver 5G network speeds to customers and will continue to invest in R&D and our partnership with Huawei to achieve this,” said Mr Wong.
The continued development of 4.5G technology, the next step towards 5G technology, leverages on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint R&D that parent telco Singtel signed with Huawei in 2014.
As Optus rolls out 4.5G across locations in Australia, it will continue its journey towards 5G andwill commence trials of massive MIMO 128T128R.
Media contact: Michelle Pacey/Steve Batten Optus Corporate Affairs (02) 8082 7850 media@optus.com.au
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