Aussie Bush Could Get Second 3G Network

Written by Adam Gosling

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

Optus and network equipment vendor, Huawei, have completed initial trials that could ultimately lead to more mobile phone competition in regional Australia. The two companies have successfully trialled a 900MHz 3G cellular mobile network in the Australian State of New South Wales and will make a decision about deploying the technology later this year. Optus, the Australian subsidiary of Singapore-owned SingTel, already operates an Australian 3G network in partnership with Vodafone, but that network uses the 2100MHz frequency. The higher frequency network equipment is used extensively world wide but has a much shorter range than the lower frequency network. Australia's number one telco, the incumbent Telstra has the most extensive 3G network in the country built at double time during 2006 as part of a company-wide transformation project. Telstra also chose a low frequency network at 850MHz for its roll-out to keep costs down covering Australia's vast, sparsely populated expanses. While it is yet to be fully audited, Tesltra's 3G HSDPA network reaches 98 per cent of the population. Like Telstra, Optus recognises the 2100MHz frequency networks deployed elsewhere restrict their reach. Only city areas are serviced by Optus' the existing 3G network, but a second network using the 900MHz spectrum would sit alongside Optus' 2GGSM network. According to statement released by Huawei, "Optus plans further technical trials of the UMTS900 network in the central west town of Dubbo over the coming months and is expected to make a decision on the technology later in 2007." "Optus is reviewing the UMTS900 technology as part of its future mobile strategy and believes that deploying the 900MHz frequency band in parallel with the existing matureGSM 900 network could result in swifter delivery to market in existing footprint areas and a reduction in costs when expanding to new areas," the statement said. To date Optus has not deployed high-speed HSDPA wireless broadband on its 3G network, but it has claimed recently that it will be ready to offer services from May 2007. However, this service will only be available in the largest State capitals. The company is hoping to be able to reach 96 per cent of the population withHSDPA by the end of the decade. The company has also approached the Australian Federal Government in an attempt to secure funding to help pay for a broadband roll-out that would cover 98 percent of the population, according to reports. Harry Hou, Director of Huawei Australia, said; "We are delighted with the UMTS900 demonstration, which was completed in such a short period of time. The joint teamwork between Optus and Huawei has been pivotal to our success and we look forward to the future opportunities that this technology brings to Optus." www.optus.com.au www.huawei.com/ap/en/ Related news items Nokia Buys Map Company For US$8 Billion -02/10/2007 Ringtone Service Wins Creativity Award -26/09/2007 Telstra Wireless Hits Speed Record -24/09/2007 Chilli iBurst Increases Download Limits -16/09/2007 Gearing Up For iPhone? -24/08/2007 Newer news items Who Next? Where Next? For Apple's iPhone -05/07/2007 Vodafone HSDPA Stretches To Brisbane -05/07/2007 Telstra Offers Pre-Paid On NextG -23/05/2007 First BB Now Optus Goes Down -24/04/2007 Campus Wireless Means Faster Downloads -23/04/2007 Older news items Railroad Gets Its Own 3G Coverage -03/04/2007 Disruptive Bundle Brings Skype To Mobiles -27/03/2007 Mobile, Not VoIP The Big Growth Area For Voice -16/03/2007 Opera Community On T-Mobile -15/03/2007 3 Could Take In More Cash From NZ -06/03/2007 Tag This Now: