Network Upgrade: Optus investing $1 billion to improve mobile coverage in Australia

Optus is all set to spend $1 billion to improve and expand its mobile network in regional Australia by the end of June 2018.

This announcement builds on Optus’ ongoing investment program which has directed more than $3.6 billion into its mobile networks since 2015.

Using the funding, Optus will:

•build 500 new mobile sites across regional and remote parts of Australia, including 114 sites under the Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspots Program;
•complete the 4G upgrade program which will upgrade more than 1,800 sites from 3G to 4G technology;
•add additional 4G capacity to more than 200 sites, delivering improved customer experience during periods of high usage;
•continue to roll out its innovative satellite small cell technology, which provides mobile voice and data services to remote areas of Australia, building on Optus’ existing rollout of 30 small cell sites across regional Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory; and
•meet the cost of spectrum licences in regional areas.

Allen Lew, Optus’ Chief Executive Officer said, “This represents one of the single largest investments in regional mobile infrastructure in Australia’s history. Optus’ funding is earmarked to expand coverage and improve overall network performance for residents, businesses, and our wholesale partners. It will also help build the network resilience that is critical to supporting public safety and emergency services during natural disasters.”

“Optus is building out its mobile network in the places where people live, work and travel to ensure they can lead a vibrant online life. Importantly, we are densifying the mobile network to provide better download speeds for data-hungry applications such as video streaming.”

“Regional communities rely on a strong mobile network to support their key industries, and to deliver critical services like health care and education. Through this investment, Optus will help propel regional businesses into national and international markets by providing network reliability; high speed connectivity; and advanced technologies such as cloud and cyber security services that industries need to thrive and grow,” Lew said.

The Minister for Regional Development and Regional Communications, Fiona Nash said, “I congratulate Optus on backing regional Australia. An investment of this size is a huge vote of confidence in our regions. Some 500 new towers is a great result for our regions.”

As evidence of this commitment, Optus is investing $4.5 million in Tamworth and the surrounding areas to build 16 new sites at Calala, Tamworth CBD, East Piper Street, Emerald Hill, Carroll, Curlewis, Gunnedah, Tamworth / Oxley Vale, Attunga, Duri, Hallsville, Piallamore, Moonbi, Barraba Central, Bendemeer and Kingswood. Nine of these sites are being co-built with another carrier.

This network expansion comes off the back of the $1.5 million investment Optus has made in the Tamworth region over the past 12 months to build new sites and upgrade existing towers with 4G capacity.

The Hon Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, welcomed Optus’ investment in the New England Electorate.

“These new sites announced by Optus today add to the already significant investment in the New England Electorate by the Federal Coalition Government under the Mobile Blackspot Program which will see 37 new or upgraded mobile phone towers built to improve coverage for local residents. It is great to see this investment by Optus and I look forward to working with them and other telcos to improve local mobile coverage,” Joyce said.

Lew said Optus is confident that over the next year, more Australians will see their Optus services improve even further, with better call quality and more reliable data services.

“I challenge regional Australians to put Optus’ network to the test for themselves. Try our network and if you’re not satisfied, simply contact us within 30 days to cancel the service, return the handset in good working order, and there won’t be any plan cancellation fees,” Lew said.