We’ve heard lots from Optus about testing of its 700MHz and 2500MHz 4G networks, but actual details on when consumers would be able to use those frequencies on compatible devices have been thin on the ground. Now those plans are finally beginning to firm up.
Speaking at the company’s Optus Vision customer conference in Sydney today, Optus head of mobility Martin Conneely said that the full rollout of the 2500MHz spectrum network would “potentially” happen by the end of October this year. The 700MHz network should follow by the end of March 2015.
“We’re accelerating the prebuild of our 700MHz network,” Conneely said. “We will switch on in early 2015.”
As with Optus’ rollout of LTE and Telstra’s similar 4G expansion, this won’t result in entirely separate networks: the aim will be to ensure broader 4G coverage. Optus is aiming for 90 per cent population coverage with 4G by the end of 2015. (If that 4G terminology confuses you, check out Gizmodo’s guide.)