Telstra, Optus New Year’s boost with 700MHz expansions

Telstra and Optus have both started strong in the New Year by switching on hundreds of new 700MHz cell sites across the country.

Telstra has pushed out its ‘4GX’ network to 600 “towns and suburbs”, according to a statement, with popular holiday spots one of its designators for which areas get the new technology first.

4GX combines 1800MHz and 700MHz spectrum to deliver faster speeds to compatible devices, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

Optus switched on 270 new 700MHz mobile sites on January 1, with plans to switch on 1500 sites by the end of the month. The new network covers all of the major cities in Australia, plus a number of major regional hubs, including Geelong, Armidale and Townsville.

The 700MHz spectrum was made available by the Federal Government after it legislated that all TV broadcasts needed to be digital and the analog transmissions ceased at the end of 2013.

In contrast to the 1800MHz frequency used by Aussie telcos for 4G networks, the 700MHz should offer superior building penetration, making it easier to get a signal on your phone while you’re at home and work.

You will need a 700MHz compatible phone. There are a number available in stores today, and all new phones sold by Optus and Telstra going forward should be 700MHz ready.

Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

Read full bio