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  • Optus Faces Hefty $826K Fine Over Coles Mobile Scam Breach: A Deep Dive into Australia’s Telco Scandal

    Optus Faces Hefty $826K Fine Over Coles Mobile Scam Breach: A Deep Dive into Australia’s Telco Scandal

    Optus Mobile, a renowned telecommunications firm, has been hit with another hefty fine of $826,320 for breaching anti-scam regulations. This recent violation pertains to its business operations under the Coles Mobile brand.

    Investigation and Breaches

    The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) served the penalty after a thorough investigation into the infractions committed by Optus. The probe revealed that the company had infringed anti-scam provisions on 44 separate instances during September and October of the previous year. These infractions were carried out through Coles Mobile, a collaborative venture enabling consumers to register for a mobile contract via the Coles supermarket chain.

    Investigators unveiled that scammers had managed to exploit a security loophole in a third-party identity verification system employed by Optus. This loophole permitted the fraudsters to sidestep certain parts of the obligatory verification procedure. As a result, these unscrupulous individuals managed to seize control of a minimum of four client mobile services and infiltrate their bank accounts. The reported losses from these scam activities totalled $39,000.

    Implications and Responses

    Samantha Yorke, a member of the ACMA, conveyed the severity of such fraudulent activities. She highlighted the resultant monetary losses and lingering trauma emanating from the task of reclaiming digital identities. Yorke stated that although this was a solitary issue that was promptly addressed, the lack of a sturdy customer ID verification system is unacceptable. This holds particularly true for a prominent provider in the industry such as Optus, which is currently Australia’s second largest.

    Yorke also pointed out that the imposed fine is the maximum monetary penalty that the ACMA has the jurisdiction to enforce in this case. The severity of the fine reflects the seriousness of the breaches committed by Optus.

    The recent penalty adds to the already considerable financial repercussions that Optus has faced this year due to regulatory contraventions. Earlier in September, the firm was directed by the Federal Court to pay a staggering $100 million for engaging in unfair sales practices. These unethical practices affected over 400 customers and were carried out at 16 Optus outlets between August 2019 and July 2023.

    Questions & Answers

    What led to the recent $826,320 fine imposed on Optus Mobile?
    Optus Mobile was fined for breaching anti-scam regulations, specifically in relation to its business operations under the Coles Mobile brand.

    How were scammers able to exploit Optus’s systems?
    Scammers exploited a security loophole in a third-party identity verification system used by Optus, which allowed them to bypass parts of the obligatory verification process and gain control of several consumer mobile services.

    What were the consequences of the scam activities?
    The fraudulent activities resulted in reported losses of $39,000 and caused distress to consumers who had to recover their digital identities.

  • Optus and Partners Set to Unveil Sovereign LEO Satellite by 2028, Revolutionizing Connectivity!

    Optus and Partners Set to Unveil Sovereign LEO Satellite by 2028, Revolutionizing Connectivity!

    Optus is set to spearhead an ambitious consortium aimed at launching a sovereign low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite by early 2028. This initiative represents a significant leap for Australia’s space and communications landscape, merging local expertise with cutting-edge technology.

    A Significant Investment in Space Innovation

    Valued at AUD 50 million (USD 32.8 million), the project unites several key players in the local industry, including Inovor Technologies, HEO, the iLaunch Trailblazer program, and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). Together, they will contribute to what could be a game changer in national and regional connectivity.

    Building the Future in South Australia

    Inovor will construct the satellite in Adelaide, while its operations will be managed from Optus’s Belrose Space Operations Centre in Sydney. The mission’s goals are as ambitious as they are vital: to enhance space-based connectivity, bolster sovereign capability, and deliver indispensable data to defense, government, and commercial sectors.

    A Peek into the Payload: Innovation at Its Best

    The forthcoming LEO satellite will be equipped with two pivotal payloads. First, a state-of-the-art space telescope designed for non-Earth imaging will provide high-resolution images of space objects, enhancing transparency in orbit and helping customers effectively manage their space assets. Second, the satellite will host a compact optical communications terminal, aimed at facilitating high-speed laser data transfer between satellites and ground stations. Additionally, a radio frequency (RF) system will enable DSTG’s ongoing research into optical and LEO satellite communications.

    Connecting Australia Like Never Before

    Nick Leake, Head of Satellite and Space Systems at Optus, emphasizes the crucial role connectivity plays in Australia’s economy. “Whether it’s supporting small businesses in remote towns or large enterprises with geographically dispersed teams, we must continually seek innovative ways to deliver essential services,” Leake stated. He elaborated on the collaborative approach that marks this venture, bringing together leaders from various sectors to drive technological advancements that will address pressing challenges and stimulate growth across the telecom landscape.

    Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Cosmos

    Not content to stop at this significant milestone, Optus is also engaging in discussions with potential partners to explore future space capabilities, including the development of multi-orbit satellite systems. It seems that Australia’s journey into the cosmos is just beginning; after all, who wouldn’t want a front-row seat to the stars?

    Questions & Answers

    What is the primary goal of Optus’s LEO satellite project?
    The project aims to enhance space-based connectivity, bolster sovereign capabilities, and provide crucial data for defense, government, and commercial use.

    Where will the satellite be built and operated?
    The satellite will be constructed by Inovor Technologies in Adelaide and will be operated from Optus’s Space Operations Centre in Belrose, Sydney.

    What are the key features of the satellite’s payloads?
    The satellite will carry a space telescope for high-resolution non-Earth imaging and an optical communications terminal for high-speed laser data transfer, along with a radio frequency system for research purposes.

  • Two regulators open investigations into Optus over data breach

    Two regulators open investigations into Optus over data breach

    Two Australian regulators said on Tuesday they have opened investigations into Optus, the country’s No. 2 telecoms provider, after a breach of its systems resulted in the theft of personal data from up to 10 million accounts.

    The probes only add to headaches for Optus, which disclosed the breach on Sept. 22 and has since come under heavy fire from the government and the public for not preventing the massive cyberattack.

    The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) said it was investigating whether the Singapore Telecommunications Ltd-owned company took reasonable steps to protect customer data and comply with privacy laws.

    The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said it was investigating whether Optus met its industry obligations as a telecommunications provider in terms of the keeping and disposing of personal data.

    Amid the widening fallout, the federal government has flagged it will overhaul data security laws to force firms that have had a cyberattack to notify banks about customers who may be compromised. Several law firms are also considering filing class action lawsuits.

    The OAIC said in a statement if it finds that “interference with the privacy of one or more individuals has occurred”, it may force Optus to take steps to ensure the breach cannot be repeated.

    The agency added that it finds there was a breach of Australian privacy law, it can seek civil penalties of up to A$2.2 million ($1.4 million) per contravention.

    ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said in a statement that failure by telecommunications providers to safeguard customer information “has significant consequences for all involved”.

    Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb told a parliamentary hearing the regulator was receiving 600 calls a day from people concerned about the Optus breach, although few had been scammed as a result.

    Optus said in a statement that it had received formal notices of investigation from both regulators and that it would fully engage with them.

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  • Nokia and Optus deploys Australia’s first integrated antenna

    Nokia and Optus deploys Australia’s first integrated antenna

    Nokia announced the deployment of Australia’s first Interleaved Passive Active Antenna (IPAA) in collaboration with Optus. Together, Nokia and Optus deployed the first IPAA in Yeerongpilly, Brisbane. The solution helps ease site-related challenges which accelerate the introduction of 5G services across the country.

    As operators look to rollout 5G, finding space on existing towers and rooftops for new massive MIMO active antenna equipment poses a significant deployment challenge for operators. Long delays in acquiring permission for site upgrades; the potential strengthening of the supporting structures and potentially higher rental payments to landlords, can in combination seriously delay operators, such as Optus, in getting 5G services to their customers.

    Nokia’s IPAA solution was developed in collaboration with CommScope. It will allow Optus and other operators to upgrade existing sites to 5G by simply replacing their existing antennas with a similar-sized unit that supports all legacy technologies as well as 5G massive MIMO active antenna, all in a single compact solution. By utilizing this solution, Optus can overcome many deployment challenges that can typically hinder the introduction of 5G.

    Lambo Kanagaratnam, Managing Director of Networks at Optus, said: “We’re committed to keeping our customers connected and at the forefront of 5G. By partnering with global technology leaders like Nokia, we continue to bring the best global innovations to our customers. The introduction of the IPAA into our network infrastructure will help us speed up the deployment of our 5G network by addressing space and structural capacity constraints.”

    Rob Joyce, Chief Technology Officer of Australia and New Zealand at Nokia, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Optus to bring our unique IPAA solution into play in the Australian market. The IPAA is an advanced technical solution to tackle the problems of finding space on towers and rooftops for 5G upgrades. Operators can now simply replace an existing antenna with Nokia’s IPAA solution to upgrade the site and at the same time, introduce 5G; it couldn’t be simpler.”

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  • Nokia demonstrates record Optus’ 5G mmWave capabilities

    Nokia demonstrates record Optus’ 5G mmWave capabilities

    Nokia and Optus announced that they achieved a record-breaking aggregate site throughput of 10 Gbps during a downlink speed demonstration using 800 MHz of millimeter Wave (mmWave) spectrum at a live 5G site in Brisbane. Powered by Nokia AirScale Radio, the site demonstrates the huge potential of 5G as it is introduced across future spectrum bands. Once deployed, the speed and a capacity boost from the 5G mmWave layer will unleash lightning-fast speeds for consumers and enterprises alike to support a range of new low-latency, high-bandwidth services.

    The recent demonstration showcased the capabilities of Nokia’s 5G mmWave technology and the benefits of adding it on top of an existing 5G/4G site. The demonstration showed how Nokia’s 5G mmWave technology delivers on the promise of super-fast data rates by boosting the site capacity to 10 Gbps and beyond.

    Nokia’s 5G mmWave technology will allow Optus to focus on scalability, automation, and performance by supporting services that utilize the full capability of 5G. Leveraging Nokia’s solutions, Optus can also harness 5G mmWave to serve the enterprise market and explore new use cases in healthcare, mining, port operations, and smart manufacturing, among other industries.

    The decision to select this mixed commercial and industrial area of Brisbane was made keeping these new use cases in mind as they sought to showcase the many real-world benefits of mmWave to the enterprise; thereby gaining early insights into this new exciting technology before wider rollout in the future.

    This achievement further strengthens the long-standing and collaborative partnership between Nokia and Optus. In early 2019, Optus became the first operator globally to deploy Nokia’s FastMile 5G indoor gateway in a live 5G network. Recently, the two companies also successfully launched 5G services at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.

    Lambo Kanagaratnam, Managing Director of Networks at Optus, said: “We’re committed to keeping Australia connected and at the forefront of 5G. By partnering with global technology leaders like Nokia, we’ve taken an exciting step towards unlocking the massive potential that 5G mmWave will bring to the consumers, enterprises and industries in Australia. Reaching 10 Gbps per site is a crucial step in our 5G development and validates the progress we’ve made with the technology together with Nokia.”

    Anna Wills, Head of Oceania at Nokia, said: “This is another milestone in the development of 5G services and demonstrates the confidence operators have in our 5G solutions. Today’s achievement with Optus shows the potential of mmWave deployments, particularly at a time when connectivity and capacity are so crucial. We’re proud of our long-standing relationship with Optus and the great strides we continue to make together in this new era of connectivity.”

  • Macquarie Telecom signs $34 million exclusive deal with Optus

    Macquarie Telecom signs $34 million exclusive deal with Optus

    The decision follows a comprehensive, strategic review of mobile solutions, and will see Macquarie offer numerous key services to Australian enterprises as the need for greater connectivity continues, including:

    • 5G Connectivity and Speeds: Providing flexibility, faster speeds, and greater capacity across multiple devices, fully managed and supported in Australia by Macquarie’s dedicated customer and engineering teams.
    • Wi-Fi Calling: Extends full coverage and network access across all Wi-Fi areas.
    • Voice over LTE (VoLTE): A network standard enabling businesses to use high-speed 4G data and voice in tandem on devices at any time.
    • Coverage: New tools to enable customers to make coverage decisions.

    Due to the increasing emphasis on mobility and 5G, Macquarie plans to expand its mobile business and hire new staff over the next three years. This continues the company’s unwavering commitment to only provide service from and hire in Australia.

    “2020 changed the way Australians work forever. By providing 5G connectivity along with business-grade NBN, we can ensure Australian businesses can work from more places than ever before,” said Luke Clifton, Group Executive, Macquarie Telecom.

    “The fact is that 5G is here. It is fast becoming a necessity and complimentary service to nbn for Australian businesses. This agreement will ensure we can continue to compete in a market that is still underserved and overcharged. These new mobile offerings will also enable the right tools, technologies and customer service to manage a mobile workforce.”

    Optus currently has more than 1,000 live 5G sites covering more than 830,000 households across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth and Brisbane.

    With the agreement, Macquarie will end its wholesale mobile contract with Telstra. It chose Optus’ wholesale offering due to its focus on collaboration, rapidly evolving 5G network, and commitment to future technologies.

    “We’re backing a winner,” added Clifton. “This investment reflects our commitment to Australian businesses and providing the technologies they need today and into the future.

    “Based on our comprehensive review, Optus was the clear choice in terms of superior technology, flexibility to build the right solutions, and cooperation. It is leading Australia’s wholesale 5G market, offers incredibly fast 5G and continues to invest heavily in its 5G network. Crucially, it understands the value of partnership in Australia’s 5G future while others are actively inhibiting it.”

    “Macquarie has a great reputation for customer service and Optus is genuinely excited to be partnering with Macquarie to deliver mobility solutions that businesses need today more than ever.” says Ben White, Managing Director, Wholesale, Satellite and Strategy, Optus.

    The new agreement complements a series of partnerships and technology investments by Macquarie Telecom in recent months and years. This includes its mobile reseller agreement with Apple, a preferred networking agreement with the nbn, its first-to-market VeloCloud by VMware SD-WAN, and a complete core network upgrade and refresh with Juniper Networks.

    The mobile agreement is a multi-year agreement. Services will be available to all customers, with existing customers transitioning over the coming months. The process will be managed end-to-end by Macquarie’s dedicated and local mobile support team. 5G plans are available immediately to new and existing customers.

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  • Optus claims making world’s first 5G data call using 2300MHz spectrum

    Optus claims making world’s first 5G data call using 2300MHz spectrum

    Australian telecommunication company Optus is claiming that it has made the world’s first 5G data call by making use of a 2300MHz spectrum.

    Optus conducted the test in Sydney with Ericsson kit. According to the company, it is the only Australian telecommunications firm with shares in the 2300MHz and 3500MHz spectrum bands.

    Optus network managing director Dennis Wong said: “With its lowest frequency, the 2300MHz spectrum band, in the future, will finally offer our customers even higher speeds, as well as provide greater depth of coverage that will allow even more customers to benefit from 5G services.” Optus was looking to activate its 2300MHz spectrum “sometime” in 2020, Wong added.

    In its latest Mobility Report, published last month, Ericsson predicted that global 5G subscriptions will exceed 2.6 billion within the next six years. By this time, 5G will cover 65% of the world. The firm also believes that total mobile subscriptions, including to previous generation networks, will reach 8.9bn from 8bn over the next six years. The current average monthly data-traffic-per-smartphone is expected to increase from around 7.2GB today to 24GB in the same timeframe. Over a quarter of the worldwide subscriptions will be 5G by 2025 and will account for around 45% of global mobile data traffic.

    A Deloitte survey published last week argued that two in three consumers are more likely to buy a new phone once 5G-compatible devices are available. The survey also found that 16% of consumers who are using smartphones said that 5G capabilities will be the most crucial factor when they choose their next phone. While 26% chose display quality as their top preference, 22% opted for brand.

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  • Optus expanding 5G fixed wireless service

    Optus expanding 5G fixed wireless service

    Australia’s Optus has announced plans to expand its 5G fixed wireless service to more areas of the country by the end of the month.

    The wholly-owned Singtel subsidiary announced that by the end of the month, it will deploy 5G in three more communities in the state of New South Wales, one in the Australian Capital Territory and one in Brisbane.

    One of Optus’ early 5G fixed wireless areas, in a suburb of New South Wales capital Sydney, has recorded peak download speeds of 295Mbps and is achieving average speeds of 100Mbps, Optus said. This is an improvement on the 170Mbps peak speed achieved during a launch in January.

    The operator currently has more than 70 5G-ready sites nationwide and has earmarked the first of its planned 30 5G sites in the state of Victoria, which will be switched on within the next few months.

    Optus Networks managing director Dennis Wong said the early adopters of its 5G service are providing insights into the initially expected use cases for 5G. Analysis shows that customers are currently using 5G fixed wireless for traditional purposes.

    “Our first customers are currently using 5G for video downloads, internet connectivity and browsing, but we see exciting 5G consumer applications in the future including a much richer AR and VR gaming experience and improved in-home device connectivity,” he said.

    “Despite being in its infancy, we are already gaining valuable insights into the new 5G technology [including] a better understanding of how to best tune the technology to improve performance. We are also gaining valuable insights around how to adjust our network and its technical features to support interoperability of multiple devices.”

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  • 211 operators globally investing in 5G

    211 operators globally investing in 5G

    At least 211 operators across 87 countries are investing in 5G, according to statistics compiled by consultancy company Hadden Telecoms.

    Operators investing in 5G are at a variety of stages, ranging from network deployments, to technology testing, demonstrations and pilot trials.

    To date, 15 operators have commercially launched 5G services, including Telstra and Optus in Australia, which are offering fixed wireless 5G services on the 3.6-GHz band. Vodafone Australia and the market’s national broadband network operator NBN Co are also investing in 5G.

    South Korea’s KT, LG U+ and SK Telecom meanwhile switched on their 3.5-GHz 5G networks last year, initially for enterprise customers only, and are planning to simultaneously launch commercial services for consumers shortly.

    The list of operators investing in 5G in Asia Pacific also includes China’s big three operators China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, Hong Kong’s 3 Hong Kong, China Mobile Hong Kong, HKT and SmarTone, and India’s Bharti Airtel, BSNL and Reliance Jio Infocomm.

    In Japan, KDDI, NTT Docomo, Rakuten Mobile and Softbank are spending heavily on 5G, while Malaysia’s Celcom, DiGi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia and U Mobile and the Philippines’ Globe and PLDT are also trialing the technology.

    Singapore’s M1, Singtel and StarHub, Sri Lanka’s Dialog Axiata and Mobitel, Taiwan’s APT, Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone and Taiwan Mobile, Thailand’s AIS, Dtac, TOT and TrueMove and Vietnam’s Viettel are also at various stages of 5G development.

    “Operators globally are preparing for the large-scale introduction of 5G, the first services have launched, and the devices ecosystem is rapidly building and poised for the imminent scale availability of a range of smartphone models,” Hadden Telecoms director Alan Hadden said.

    “Dozens more operators are expected to launch their respective 5G services in the coming 12 months.”

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  • Singtel, Optus complete international 5G AR video call

    Singtel, Optus complete international 5G AR video call

    Singtel and its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Optus have completed a 5G augmented reality video call between Singapore and Australia as part of their preparations for the introduction of the next generation mobile technology.

    The joint trial was conducted using Ericsson networking equipment as well as OPPO 5G test devices running on Qualcomm’s inaugural Snapdragon 5G chipset.

    Augmented reality technology was used to provide instant on-screen annotations during a call conducted at the operators’ respective live 5G sites.

    According to the companies, the technology has the potential to open up a range of new possibilities for enterprises, such as the ability to deliver live on-the-job training and remote assistance.

    In the consumer space, augmented reality communications use cases will include holographic calls and the ability to deliver a virtual tactile shopping experience.

    “This call is a significant marker in our journey to 5G as we develop a robust 5G ecosystem to ensure that our enterprise and consumer customers will enjoy an enhanced connectivity experience,” Singtel group CTO Mark Chong said.

    “5G is a key enabler that will bring the future of augmented reality, autonomous vehicles and smart cities closer to reality.”

    Singtel and Ericsson launched a 5G Centre of Excellence in Singapore in 2017, and recently opened the first live 5G facility in the market in collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic.

  • Optus Business expands managed solutions portfolio

    Optus Business expands managed solutions portfolio

    Australia’s Optus, through subsidiary Optus Business, has expanded its line-up of fully managed ICT solutions for enterprises.

    The operator has added contact center, security and storage solutions to its Optus GO portfolio of managed services.

    Optus GO Contact Centre provides cloud based contact center capabilities including management of inbound and outbound calls, chat and email. Optus GO Security includes email and web protection based on cloud security architecture, and Optus GO Storage provides as-a-service flash storage for data centers.

    The Optus GO managed ICT solutions suite, which launched in February, already included connectivity, collaboration and cloud services for businesses of all sizes.

    “The Optus GO solutions were created in response to our customers who are looking for the benefits of ICT solutions without the cost or burden of ownership and management,” Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis said.

    “We designed Optus GO to save our customers time and money by simplifying technology, delivering connectivity and ICT as an end to end solution in a secure and managed environment.”

    He said Optus GO aims to provide enterprise customers with the core computing foundations to support the business opportunities that will be afforded by emerging technologies including IoT, advanced analytics, AI and 5G.

    Optus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Singtel Group.

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  • Optus demos 5G during Commonwealth Games

    Optus demos 5G during Commonwealth Games

    Australian operator Optus is using the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast to showcase 5G use cases including 8K video streaming on its live 5G trial network.

    The showcase aims to provide visitors with a hands-on 5G experience in advance of a planned initial commercial rollout in 2019.

    The showcase will be open for the duration of the Games, which ends on Sunday. It includes demonstrations of technologies including a 5G and motion detection controlled robotic arm as well as a game of rock paper scissors with a robotic hand using the high speeds and low latency of 5G and machine learning to predict the player’s moves.

    Optus is also showcasing demonstrations of VR football, cycling and driving and 360 degree video streaming from the games themselves.

    Meanwhile Optus has demonstrated 8K video streaming in motion through a 5G van equipped with an 8K television and a prototype 5G device.

    “What we have here today is a spectacular simultaneous demonstration of 5G capability, powered by a live 5G network, rather than through simulations,” Optus managing director of networks Dennis Wong said.

    “For people to be able to walk off the street and interact with real 5G technology is an incredibly exciting development as we continue towards leading in the delivery of the first phase of 5G technology in 2019.”

    Optus subsidiary Optus Business was selected along with Cisco, to build the network for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The company is providing free Wi-Fi services for 6,600 athletes as part of the contract.

    Rival Telstra  recently launched 5G-enabled Wi-Fi hotspots on the Gold Coast as part of the 5G trials from its newly launched 5G innovation center in the city.

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  • Optus Wholesale launches home wireless broadband

    Optus Wholesale launches home wireless broadband

    Australia’s Optus Wholesale has added home wireless broadband to its product suite for MVNOs utilizing the Optus 4G network.

    The Optus subsidiary is providing the service to give wholesale customers the ability to provide home wireless broadband as an alternative to fixed broadband, particularly in areas where the national broadband network (NBN) has not yet been deployed.

    The company will provide a home wireless broadband kit with a Huawei wireless modem and SIM card included.

    Optus Wholesale customer Exetel will be the first company to roll out the new product.

    The company says the service will deliver speeds of 12Mbps down and 1Mbps up in metropolitan areas where there is 2300-MHz coverage, or 5Mbps down 1Mbps up where this coverage is not available.

    Speeds will be capped to 256Mbps once the maximum data allowance included in the plan is reached.

    “We work closely with our partners to deliver a service that will improve customer experience, and we’ve developed this following market demand for a more flexible solution,” Optus Wholesale VP of marketing John Castro said.

    “Home Wireless Broadband is an alternative to fixed broadband, so our wholesale partners are now able to offer a solution for people living in areas where NBN has not yet been rolled out or for people that like a plug and play option for their home internet service.”

    Optus Wholesale already provides fixed broadband services for wholesale customers. Parent company Optus is Australia’s second largest mobile operator, and is itself a wholly-owned Singtel subsidiary.

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  • Optus Satellite to provide NBN satellite services

    Optus Satellite to provide NBN satellite services

    Optus satellite, a subsidiary of major Australian operator Optus, has announced its first foray into providing satellite services over the National Broadband Network (NBN), via a partnership with Southern Phone.

    The partners are now providing Sky Muster satellite broadband services to customers in regional and rural areas.

    NBN plans to use satellite broadband services for the roughly 3% of the of the population – mostly in rural and remote areas – that won’t be covered by fixed line or fixed wireless NBN services.

    Southern Phone is a regional telecommunications service provider based in New South Wales. The company’s managing director David Joss noted that only 80,000 of the expected 240,000 Sky Muster satellite broadband services have been connected to date, leaving a significant potential market.

    “We see this service as a viable and effective alternative to a traditional NBN connection. For some consumers, this will be the first time they’ve been able to connect to a broadband service,” Optus Satellite VP Paul Sheridan added.

    “This new partnership will help us connect with even more regional customers and importantly, make sure that those customers are able to have the same level of support that a customer in a metro area would.”

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  • Optus to roll out Massive MIMO from end-2017

    Optus to roll out Massive MIMO from end-2017

    Australia’s Optus plans to roll out Massive MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology on its mobile network starting at the end of the year, after completing successful trials combining Massive MIMO with three-carrier aggregation (3CC CA).

    Optus completed live network testing of 3CC Massive MIMO in June, achieving a top speed of 818Mbps, the operator revealed.

    The trial was conducted with Huawei on live traffic at Macquarie Park in northern Sydney. Optus said the trial made it the first operator in the world to complete a successful live network implementation of massive MIMO and 3CC CA technologies together in the same equipment.

    In addition to the improved speeds, site capacity during the live testing was boosted by almost four times compared to that of existing four transmit four receive (4T4R) MIMO base stations.

    Optus plans to start the rollout of Massive MIMO in selected capital cities starting from the end of the year, with a focus on high traffic and congested areas.

    “Earlier this year, Optus launched a 4.5G network and completed Australia’s first field trial of Massive MIMO technology,” Optus Networks managing director Dennis Wong said.

    “We’re committed to leading Australia in terms of 5G development and testing, and this recently completed world-first 3CC Massive MIMO test is further testament to our commitment and developments we have been able to achieve in this space.”

    Optus is Australia’s second largest mobile operator, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Singtel.