Telco no. 2 unleashes 4G network to Sydney, Perth and Newcastle – a week after rival Telstra expands its coverage.
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And it announced Samsung S III 4G to top it off.
The telco who says it has the fastest 4G service in OZ using next-gen FDD-LTE technology, said today’s launch (10 months after Telstra sent its 4G live) heralds a “a new era of competition in Australian telecommunications.”
Optus claims the 4G network delivers downloads of up to 47 megabits per second.
In Sydney, Optus’ 4G service will stretch from Bondi to Dee Why in the North, Perth’s 4G will cover the Airport to City Beach and Innaloo, while Newcastle’s service will also cover Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie.
But worry not Victorians, 4G services will go live in Melbourne from 15th September.
The announcement comes after rival Telstra announced its 4G expansion to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, covering two-thirds of the population just last week.
The telco also said Samsung’s 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED Galaxy S III 4G will be available for pre order from today – (and delivered by Sept 20) but the handset will also be available from Telstra, as announced this morning.
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Optus’ Samsung S III comes in $30, $35, $50, $60 or $80 plans (for consumer and business) with handset repayments starting at $21.
The $60 plan (+$7 repayment) includes $1.5GB data and $650 calls, while the handset is free on the $80 plan (2GB data and $850 of calls).
Users also get unlimited access to Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn, MySpace, eBay and Foursquare, unlimited standard national SMS and unlimited Optus to Optus mobile calls, on the upper tier plans.
For wireless users, Optus’ 4G USB dongle or portable Wi-Fi modem, are also available from today.
Optus has also been busy enhancing its 3G performance across the country.
Today’s launch to three locations marks the beginning of Optus’ national 4G network rollout, said Kevin Russell, CEO Optus Consumer, with other cities to follow in the months ahead.
“Whether that’s downloading multiple songs at the same time, or uploading videos and photos to social media – customers will love the experience and speed that Optus 4G has to offer.”
“With a great line up of 4G devices now on offer, Australians now have a choice in competitive 4G products and services,” Mr Russell said.
Is your area covered by Optus 4G?
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· Sydney: Optus 4G coverage stretches from Bondi in the East to Newington in the West and from La Perouse in the South to Dee Why in the North.
· Perth: Optus 4G coverage stretches from Perth Airport in the East to City Beach in the West and from Como in the South to Innaloo in the North.
· Newcastle: Optus 4G coverage is available across Newcastle, as well as in Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie areas.
· Melbourne: From September 15th 2012 Optus 4G coverage in Melbourne will stretch from Blackburn in the East to St Albans in the West and from Brighton in the South to Fawkner in the North.
Optus is bringing four of the fastest people in the world to Australia to showcase the great things you can do faster with 4G. Optus ‘Fast Four’ hold long standing Guinness World Record titles for being the fastest in rapping, texting, talking and reading.
Pre order at www.optus.com.au/4gsamsung.
