The NBN may well be how most of us go online in Australia, but if you need more speed, standalone 5G could work, and it’s coming to more locations locally.
Depending on the type of broadband connection available in your area and to your home, you might be a little more frustrated than others out there.
If your NBN connection is capable of fast speeds and you’re paying for them, the digital world may as well be your oyster. But if you’re struggling with lag and downtime, your woes are often worrying because you’re not getting the speed you need.
It’s a vibe, and one we suspect more than a handful of Aussies are dealing with.
There are options for different internet connections, such as how Telstra is offering Starlink’s satellite access locally now, but it’s not the only way forward.
Optus has this week announced that it’s rolling out 5G Standalone services across Australia, providing a dedicated 5G service that relies on the latest mobile connections without needing to switch back to 4G.
Known as 5G Standalone or “5G SA” for short, the Optus technology caters for fast 5G speeds in home and business where it’s supported, connecting to an Optus Ultra WiFi 5G modem. When connected, it means using a dedicated 5G connection and staying that way, providing high speeds and low latency, something you may not get with another service depending on where you are.
It’s an upgrade on the telco’s previous 4G wireless home broadband technology, and this week’s addition sees Optus roll out a bigger upgrade entirely. Standalone 5G technology is now going out to 3.6 million homes and businesses across the country, up from two million previously.
Finding out “where” these are offered will mean using a 5G home internet eligibility checker on the Optus website, though it’s pretty clear every location isn’t supported. In fact, representatives for Optus told Pickr that customers can expect more locations in the next few years, thanks in part to the Multi Operator agreement between Optus and Vodafone to launch a shared network with more 5G sites by the end of 2030.
Rural looks to be a part of that, as well, with Optus noting that the Optus-Vodafone Multi Operator Core Network arrangement “will fast track this”, supporting 5G standalone in more locations.
For the moment, those locations can seem a little limited: just under four million for a population of over 26 million. However, that should improve, with more reception for 5G internet set to arrive for more Australians in the years to come.
