Optus is advancing its 4G rollout across Australian regional and holiday areas, with the telco today announcing 4G 2600 MHz services have now been switched on at sites across 40 regional centres.Optus has additionally advised it has been granted early access licence approvals from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for 4G 700 MHz in 200 regional locations.
Optus networks managing director Vic McClelland stated it is “a great opportunity for Optus to bring forward the benefits of 4G for customers for the peak summer holiday period”.
“It reaffirms Optus’ commitment to deliver 4G consumer choice and competition,” McClelland commented. “Already we have turned on our first 4G [2600 MHz] sites in more than 40 towns, and will continue to light up 4G on both 2600 MHz and 700 MHz spectrum as it becomes available.”
The early access 700 MHz licenses provide Optus the option to turn on 4G “earlier than anticipated in many regional and holiday locations”, McClelland added.
“700 MHz spectrum is due to become nationally available from January 2015, however, with ACMA approving early access, we will look to provide customers with compatible devices a taste of 4G as quickly as possible,” he stated.
Compatible 4G 700 MHz devices include the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S5, LG G3, Sony Xperia Z3 and HTC One (M8).
At the beginning of November, Optus announced the expansion of its existing 4G 700 MHz coverage across greater Darwin.
Optus’ first 700 MHz sites are now live in areas including Toowoomba, Ballarat, Bendigo, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Nowra, Port Macquarie, Urunga, Bundaberg and Murray Bridge.
