ITWire

While it's still behind Telstra, the rollout of 4G services by Optus in Queensland is nearly six months ahead of schedule, a company official claimed.

The initial sites in central Brisbane will be augmented with another four next week, and more sites will be activated in Surfers during December ahead of the summer holiday influx.

A widespread 4G rollout is planned for Brisbane in December 2012 and January 2013.

"2012 has seen Optus undertake one of the largest ever network programmes for our customers, with the completion of large scale 3G network enhancements and the launch of 4G services in Newcastle, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne," said Günther Ottendorfer, managing director of networks at Optus.

"With the success of these initiatives, we have managed to accelerate network rollout to deliver Optus 4G to select areas of the Gold Coast and Brisbane nearly six months ahead of schedule, with more sites to come online before the end of the year."

The Optus 4G service is resold by iiNet and its associated companies (including Internode and Westnet).

The company is still working to improve its 3G service in Queensland, with upgrades and new sites planned for the south-east of the state during the next 12 months, added Mr Ottendorfer.