Telstra has good news for its subscribers in North Queensland and South Australia as the Operator announces plans to upgrade its network in these areas, courtesy of the additional 1800 MHz spectrum that the Operator secured recently. The upgrade that involves up to 200 sites and which is expected to boast up to 50 percent more 4G capacity, will provide customers better experiences when using their mobiles for things like streaming video and music, said the Operator.
Telstra said that it had invested $191 million to secure 57 blocks of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, more than any other bidder, during the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) auction in February this year. This spectrum acquisition adds to the purchase of 700MHz and 2600MHz spectrum in the 2013 digital dividend auctions at a cost of $1.3 billion.
Areas in North Queensland and South Australia that have already received the enhanced 4G service are Cairns, Townsville, Ayr, Innisfail, Port Douglas, Mossman, Ingham and Charters Towers, as well as Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay, Port Pirie, Whyalla, Victor Harbour, Goolwa, Renmark, Mount Gambier and Robe.
Mike Wright, Telstra’s Group Manager Director of Networks
This latest investment, at least doubles and in some places triples the amount of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band that we may use to provide 4G services in some areas. The 1800MHz was the foundational band for 4G in Australia and it will benefit all 4G customers, even those with earlier 4G devices.
