Australian Network Deploying HSDPA

Optus Australia has said that over six hundred base stations in Sydney and Melbourne will be ready for HSDPA service by May 2007; and all Optus 3G sites across Australia upgraded to HSDPA by the end of May 2007.

Once complete, Optus will cover 55 per cent of the Australian population with HSDPA services.

Optus will begin extending its existing 3G HSDPA coverage to 96 per cent of the Australian population in June 2007 and plans to continue over a three year period.

Henry Calvert, Acting Director Optus Products & Delivery, said Optus had invested more than AU$10 (US$8.1) billion in the construction of fixed, mobile and satellite networks and was focused on continuing to invest and expand its network to deliver better services to its customers.

"In the 15 years of Optus' operations our network has grown to offer Australian consumers and businesses a full suite of services. We are now taking it one step further by delivering high speed data over our extensive mobile network," Mr Calvert said.

"Upgrading our base stations with HSDPA technology is the next stage in Optus providing products and services that enhance the way our customers' conduct their daily lives and business.

"Optus customers will experience download speeds averaging 500Kbps to 1.5Mbps and network capability of up to 3.6Mbps initially with the potential to rise up to 14.4Mbps ? depending on a range of factors.

"We are seeing steady growth in the demand for 3G services, particularly as Optus customers become more familiar with the exciting range of content and multimedia features available to them on their mobile phone, or PC if they are using Optus Wireless Connect."

Posted to the site on 30th March 2007