Telstra has 5G switched on in parts of Australia, and Vodafone is testing it, so that just leaves Optus, which is ready with the first places to get 5G for more than just broadband at home.
The next stage in our mobile dependent world is 5G, a technology that promises faster mobile data speeds which in turn can deliver you more in the grand scheme of things. Better audio and video for conferencing, more data in telecommuting, and the ability to really get information to and from places without having to wait. It’s a fast mobile world that’s waiting, and even more so than the already fairly fast one we have in 4G.
But to get there, we need telcos to invest and build out the network, and that takes time.
Telstra has been building out 5G for quite a while, and already has select parts of Australia switched on, most of which is in Queensland. Granted, there’s nothing that can really take advantage of the 5G technology yet, but when it does launch, likely within the next month or two, 5G will be in reach of more people.
Telstra isn’t alone, either.
Vodafone has been dabbling for quite a while, and Optus, too, which several months after announcing its 5G home broadband trial, is talking up the locations that will get the technology, included in the 1200 5G sites Optus plans to build across Australia within the next year.
For now, those locations are in a much smaller amount, with 50 locations across NSW and Victoria scheduled as part of the rollout in the coming months. The first locations are based primarily in Sydney and Melbourne, with 20 suburbs selected in Sydney and 30 in Melbourne for the start Optus’ 5G test.
Ericsson will be building these with Optus to begin with, working with the telecommunications provider to deliver devices for customers in these areas.
“This is another significant milestone for Optus as we continue with our customer focused 5G roll-out plan,” said Optus’ Kent Wu.
“We are continuing to deliver a more dynamic and innovative 5G network for the benefit of our customers,” he said.
These entries in the beginning of Optus’ 5G rollout include Sydney’s suburbs of:
- Alexandria
- Carlton
- Castle Hill
- Dudley
- Enfield East
- Greystanes
- Kellyville
- Macquarie Park
- Marrickville
- Mosman
- North Baulkham Hills
- North Ryde
- North Ryde Business Park
- North Ryde West
- North Sydney Central
- Oatlands
- Panania
- Peakhurst
- Riverside Corporate Park
- Rydalmere
As well as in Melbourne, with these suburbs selected for the beginning of Optus’ 5G rollout:
- Abbotsford
- Arthurs Seat
- Braybrook
- Brunswick
- Campbellfield South
- Coburg
- Croydon South
- Dandenong South
- Fishermans Bend
- Geelong West
- Greenvale Reservoir
- Hoppers Crossing
- Kensington
- Laverton East
- Maidstone
- Mornington
- Mt Evelyn
- Mt Martha
- Noble Park
- Noble Park South
- Norlane
- Preston East
- Research
- Reservoir North
- Rosebud
- Rosebud East
- Rye Central
- Springvale South
- Wantirna South
- Williams Landing
We’re not quite sure when they’ll be switched on, though excited Optus customers can check to see whether they’re eligible to be a part of the test at the Optus website, with the rest of the 1150 sites expected across Australia by March 2020.
