Optus accelerates 5G rollout in regional Australia

Optus has announced the commencement of its 5G network rollout in regional Australia, facilitated by a network and spectrum sharing arrangement with TPG Telecom under a regional Multi-Operator-Core Network (MOCN) agreement.

This development is expected to significantly enhance the company's network in regional areas, allowing Optus to complete its nationwide 5G rollout two years earlier than planned. The MOCN agreement also provides Optus with the ability to leverage additional spectrum, improving service quality for regional customers.

Optus has long focused on catering to regional Australia, with plans to accelerate the 5G rollout in these areas. The company intends to increase the number of 5G sites in regional locations to 1,500 by the end of 2028, and 2,444 by the end of 2030.

Anthony Shiner, Managing Director of Customer Solutions at Optus, stated, "More Optus coverage across Australia means more opportunities for our customers to connect with family, business clients, friends and other loved ones in their busy lives. The fast-tracked 5G rollout allows us to enhance Optus coverage and capacity for our customers, ensuring they can stay connected with 5G in more places and enjoy a great mobile experience."

As part of its strategic efforts, Optus is introducing its Optus 5G+ service, which provides up to five times more 5G coverage across Australia compared to its standard 5G. The Optus 5G+ offers broad coverage and increased capacity, operating independently of the 4G network to improve the mobile experience for eligible customers.

Optus 5G+ is already operational in selected areas across Australia, including Busselton in Western Australia, Orange in New South Wales, Toowoomba in Queensland, Ballarat in Victoria, and Launceston in Tasmania. The service is accessible to customers with a compatible plan, phone, and SIM card.

Shiner remarked, "Optus 5G+ represents our ongoing commitment to innovation and delivering the very best for our customers. Whether you're in a busy metro area or exploring regional Australia, we're working to provide stronger, faster connections in more places."

In addition to enhancing its 5G offerings, Optus has collaborated with Starlink over the past year to boost connectivity throughout Australia. In 2024, it launched Satellite Internet for Business and continues exploring satellite direct-to-mobile technology in collaboration with SpaceX, aiming to initiate local testing in this area.

With a strong retail presence and a supportive digital platform, Optus is well-positioned to meet its community's technical support and connectivity needs. The company operates over 250 retail stores nationwide, which are complemented by the My Optus app for service management and customer support.