Optus sets new milestone with the expansion of mobile network coverage to 98 per cent

07 May 2008

Optus announced today that it would embark on an investment
program to expand its nationwide mobile network beyond 96 per cent
population coverage to reach 98 per cent.  The program will cost $315
million and is targeted for completion by December 2009.

“Today
marks the dawn of a new era for mobile competition in Australia.  The
extended Optus network will bring choice and value to people who have
been limited to the incumbent’s network for too long,” Mr Paul
O’Sullivan, Optus Chief Executive said.

“With this
significant expansion we will be the only mobile carrier capable of
challenging the incumbent’s network reach.  We will deliver superior
coverage and wireless services across the country and drive increased
market share for Optus.

“Optus invests over $1 billion
annually in improving Australia’s telecoms networks, products and
services. Only last year we announced a $500 million investment to
upgrade our mobile network to bring 3G and high speed wireless
broadband to reach 96 per cent of the population.  Now we will bring
wireless, voice and broadband services to a further two per cent of the
population along with greater choice, better service and sensational
value.

“Optus’ 3G mobile network is currently being upgraded
to deliver broadband speeds of up to 7.2 Megabits per second (Mbps). 
We have plans in place to increase to speeds of up to 28 Mbps from late
2009.  In addition, Optus will also work with its strategic partners to
make the network capable of up to 42 Mbps by mid 2010,” Mr O’Sullivan
said.

At least 750 new base stations will be added, extending
Optus’ mobile network coverage by 400,000 square kilometres to a total
network coverage of more than one million square kilometres.

This
significant expansion of the Optus network will be achieved using 900
Megahertz (MHz) spectrum, utilising High Speed Packet Access (HSPA)
wireless broadband technology. The network will extend the footprint to
reach areas including Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia and Tumby
in South Australia, through to Weipa in Far North Queensland.

“The
Australian landscape is perfectly suited to using the 900MHz spectrum
band to deliver high speed mobile broadband. Utilising this frequency,
radio signals have a greater reach – enabling better quality and wider
coverage across sparsely populated rural and remote areas as well as an
enhanced depth of coverage. This also translates into cost
efficiencies, with fewer base stations required to cover the land mass
between locations,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

As at 31 December 2007, Optus have over 7 million mobile subscribers.

The new design comes at the request of Ericsson, which wanted an alternative to a purely diesel-run base station. Those consume roughly 20,000 litres (5,283 gallons) of diesel per year – an increasingly costly expense with rising world energy prices.

The E-Site draws its power from a wind turbine in the network tower and solar panels on the roof. Clean energy sources charge a battery that then powers the base station at night. The E-site also has a small diesel generator, just in case the batteries run out.

What’s even more amazing is the E-site’s operating system, which can learn to adapt its power-generating techniques to different situations. For instance, if the batteries are running low at night, but the system knows the sun will rise soon, it can decide to wait it out until morning rather than head straight towards the diesel. Good thinking, E-site! [Cnet]