OPTUS OPENS FLAGSHIP STORE FEATURING 4.5G TECHNOLOGY

Optus has opened the doors to its first flagship experiential store where consumers will have access to 4.5G technology and immerse themselves inside what could be the smart home of the future.

The store at 383 George Street in the Sydney CBD features the latest smart technology as well as two fully immersive experiences, designed to show customers the benefits of using smart home technology in everyday life.

The specially designed store allows consumers to touch, feel and try the latest technology including Smart Home devices, Smart Switches and the recently launched Google Home.

Vice President of Optus Retail Frances Martin said today’s store opening also reinforces Optus’ change in direction from a traditional telco to a multi-media led company.

“We’ve included an eye-opening interactive 4x4m 8K TV screen which extends into the virtual world and demonstrates the benefits of how entertainment and the internet of things (IoT) will play out in real life.

“The digital technology featured in the store comprises more than 120 million pixels and almost one million LEDs,” Ms Martin said.

“Consumers rely on their smart phones to make their life easier from using GPS navigation to using apps for banking, shopping, accessing live sport and entertainment and staying in touch with family and friends. The connected home is an extension of this, which over time, will allow users to connect to their home base to open garage doors, answer doorbells remotely and turn on home heating – all from their smart device,” Ms Martin said.

Optus’ Managing Director of Networks, Dennis Wong said the flagship store is the first of its kind in Australia with 4.5G technology.

“We are excited to combine cutting edge 4.5G technology inside this amazing retail store. 4.5G is a pre-cursor to 5G technology and offers consumers significant benefits including a better internet browsing experience, better quality streaming and less network congestion.”

The store includes an interactive area where visitors can also take a selfie with Usain Bolt. This activation uses facial recognition technology and body tracking technology to identify consumers’ micro expressions and gestures to ensure the ‘perfect selfie’ is achieved.

Optus will roll out five experiential stores this year.