Optus announces LTE rollout for 2012

Stan Beer
Thursday, 15 September 2011 12:28

Business IT - Networking

Australia's mainland capital cities and regional centres will be getting Optus 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) mobile services from mid-2012, with Optus announcing that rollout will commence from next month. Telstra switched on its LTE network in May this year and has promised the service will be available before the end of 2011.

 

While both Optus and Telstra have been quick to herald the arrival of LTE, however, neither carrier has indicated what speeds users can expect from the next generation wireless broadband service.

From April 2012, Optus will deliver its first 4G LTE services to Newcastle, Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie areas. A 4G capital city rollout will begin next month with Phase One to deliver LTE services in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth from mid-2012. Phase Two of the rollout will see an expansion of 4G LTE services to other capital cities and selected regional centres with Optus to release further details shortly.

Optus also announced that it had become the first Australian carrier to be awarded a licence to trial LTE services in the 700 MHz spectrum band, which has been made available by the shift to digital TV. The trial will take place in Bendigo, Victoria and will be the first time in Australia that the former analogue TV frequency will be used for 4G services and applications.

At a network briefing today in Sydney, Optus Chief Executive, Mr Paul O'Sullivan said, 'Our customers demand - and deserve - an excellent network experience to support their digital lives. This rollout ensures we remain ahead of the rising demand for mobile data. Today, Optus is committing to a new era of mobile competition, creating the infrastructure to deliver an even better performance for our customers.

'Phase One of Optus' rollout will provide extensive 4G coverage and is timed to coincide with a significantly expanded 4G device range, to deliver the best value and choice for customers.

Mr O'Sullivan continued, 'Optus has invested nearly $2 billion in the past four years and we will spend over $500 million in this financial year alone on our mobile network. This investment will ensure our mobile sites and fibre transmission network can deliver a real choice in 4G services for Australian consumers and businesses.

'As customers rely more on their mobile to access high speed data, Optus is committed to ensuring that our network supports the phone's move from the ear to the eye.'

Optus also announced today that, in partnership with Huawei, they will be the first Australian carrier to gain first-hand knowledge of the benefits of LTE technology at 700MHz.

Mr O'Sullivan said, 'As Australians increasingly access digital services over mobile, such as Optus TV Now and Optus Smart Safe, we need to ensure we use the best spectrum available to deliver 4G LTE technology. Optus believes that 700MHz will be vital for delivering 4G LTE, especially in regional Australia, because of its ability to deliver LTE over longer distances.

'The innovations announced today will allow Australians to have a choice for 4G services so they can connect and interact in new ways. It will also future proof our network and ensure Optus customers continue to enjoy an outstanding experience,' Mr O'Sullivan concluded.