Optus achieves 5G data call over 3.5 GHz

Optus has announced a milestone towards its commercial launch of 5G with the completion of a 5G data call using the 3.5 GHz frequency band.

During a pre-launch trial in Dickson, Canberra, the call was completed using a commercial-grade 5G radio network and customer premises equipment developed in partnership with telecoms equipment vendor Nokia.

The call was made using the 5G specifications stipulated by telecoms industry standards body 3GPP’s Release 15 for 5G networks.

Optus Managing Director for Networks Dennis Wong said the trial represents the first data call using 60 MHz of channel bandwidth on an Optus live network and 5G device.

The operator plans to start switching on its 5G network in capital cities in the first half of 2019, putting it in a race with Telstra to be first out of the blocks with commercial 5G services.

As with other early 5G adopters in markets including the US, Optus plans to initially provide 5G fixed wireless home broadband services, before extending services to smartphones after the first crop of 5G smartphones hits the market.

“For Optus, 5G is a fundamental part of building a smart network that keeps our customers connected. It’s important that customers experience the benefit of this next-generation network from the outset,” Wong said.

“Our fixed wireless access product, combined with our ambitious rollout plan, means customers will be able to experience 5G soon.”

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