Optus finally reveals the size of its 5G network

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 23 May 2024

Optus has announced that its 5G network now covers 80.5% of the population, as part of its latest financial results. The announcement is notable, as until now, Optus has been cagey about the scope of its 5G network.

The telco has previously talked about its 5G coverage in terms of the number of addresses within the footprint, but network coverage in Australia has traditionally been expressed by the percentage of the population covered. For example, back in January, Optus told us its 5G network spanned over 2.1 million residential addresses, but declined to offer a population figure.

The 80.5% figure makes it easier to compare Optus' 5G network to Telstra's, which covers 87% of the population as of February. It is worth noting that Optus still has no 5G coverage in the Northern Territory.

Providers powered by the Optus network have access to its full 5G coverage. Conversely, Telstra-powered providers use a smaller 5G footprint that covers 75% of the population. That means customers on an Optus MVNO like amaysim have greater 5G coverage than those on a Telstra MVNO like Belong.

Optus wasn't alone in reporting 5G coverage in odd ways. Vodafone says its 5G footprint covers 85% of the population in Australia's ten largest cities and regions, which include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Gold Coast, Central Coast, Wollongong, and the Sunshine Coast.

5G is available on all Optus mobile plans, but with a speed cap on some prepaid options. Here are Optus' postpaid SIM-only plans:

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get up to $10/mth SubHub credit to use on your favourite subscriptions for 12 months. T&Cs apply. $69.00/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69.00/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $70.00/mth Min. cost $70 Go to Site	$70.00/mth Min. cost $70	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $90.00/mth Min. cost $90 Go to Site	$90.00/mth Min. cost $90	Go to Site

Optus also has 5G home internet plans available. Network coverage is of course less important when it comes to 5G home internet, as a 5G modem is stationary. The wider the coverage footprint, the better chance you're able to get a plan. Here are Optus' 5G home wireless internet plans:

Optus Plus Everyday 5G

5G Home Internet 50/11 Mbps
Unlimited Data
Deal: $54/mth for a year, then $69/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $522. Ends 6/10.

$54/mth

Min. cost $54

Link not supplied

$54/mth

Min. cost $54

Link not supplied

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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