Australian Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have been taking quick actions to deploy 5G networks and are waiting for additional spectrum that local regulator ACMA plans to award in 2021 for further expansion of 5G networks. Most of the cities are already receiving 5G services in the country. Let us have a short glimpse of what are Australian carriers up to and their future 5G plans.
Initiatives are taken by mobile network operators in Australia to accelerate 5G deployment:
- Telstra – Australia’s small population which is around 41% of its total population is being imparted with 5G coverage as 2K 5G base stations were already installed by Telstra in the country. BTW, check out this link if you want to learn how to sell your Telstra shares.
- Optus – Optus, an Australian telecom company and a subsidiary of Singaporean telecommunications conglomerate Singtel is delivering 5G network connections to over 426K households across Australia with operating more than 900 5G sites.
- TPG Telecom – TPG Telecom’s plan for 5G rollout to accelerate over the next months is being executed and promises to serve in the nation’s six largest cities covering 85% of the population till 2021 bids adieu. Formed through the merger of TPG and Vodafone Hutchison Australia, the company said that more than 1,200 5G sites had proceeded towards the planning phase. Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and Brisbane are the six cities where 5G will be initially made available by the telecommunications firm.
- Vodafone picked up its pace in deploying 5G networks and make it live in more than 80 sites and targets to facilitate 5G services in 85% of Australia’s densely populated cities as 2021 will be coming to its end.
- Field Solutions, a telecommunications service provider in Australia has its own 5G spectrum aimed at enabling 5G services in rural and remote, regional areas across the continent and not leaving them behind. The organization will start rolling out 5G and then commercialize it in the upcoming six months depending on local demand, funds from the government, and their own business strategy. It aims to establish a network traversing over 90K square kilometers by 31 December 2021.
5G network in Australia – What are we looking forward to in 2021?
Expecting to serve faster and high-capacity Internet services with the collaboration of several countries in Australia, the Federal Government will auction two 5G spectrums instead of one. 5G spectrums in high band (26 GHz band) and low band (850/900 MHz band) will be allocated in April 2021 and the second half of the year respectively and will be critical for serving 5G with broader geographic coverage.
Thus, we can say that the fifth-generation of such wireless network connectivity has the ability to deliver faster speeds compared to previous networking technologies at a low latency rate. MNOs need to perform 5G speed tests to check all the components are performing correctly or not and make relevant changes to achieve desired network connectivity before it can be used for commercial purposes. Consequently, advanced applications could be produced such as robotics, smart farming, autonomous vehicles, and telemedicine with the deployment of 5G networks. All these in return will enhance the productivity of Australia. As per Fletcher’s forecast, 5G would increase Gross Domestic Product by $2K USD per person in addition post rollout of 5G connections in the first decade.
How will it be beneficial for operators as well as consumers?
Download speed will be offered up to 10 Gbps with 5G which is 10 folds higher than the highest package on offer on the fiber-to-the-premises NBN, the national broadband network in Australia. OpenSignal, a market analysis site report shows the current 5G throughput is trailing below 4G network speeds in Australia. This is due to the fact that 5G is still a new technology and most of the locations are barren with 5G. Additionally, there are many enterprises in Australia not using high spectrum bands that could offer much higher throughputs. However, as operators continue to deploy 5G networks on a large scale, they will be able to offer high bandwidth, low latency, faster 5G Internet connections to consumers (businesses and common people) in various 5G packages as per their requirements. On the road map to building new-age wireless networks, MNOs have to continuously perform network testing leading to the growth in 5G measuring equipment market that would result in enhanced and uninterrupted network coverage based on assessments conducted at regular time-intervals.
Summing Up
Commercial launches for 5G network are advancing in Australia and the 5G experience is already faster than latter networks like 4G. We are still at the beginning of the 5G era, and will likely give more immersive experiences that would last more than a decade. This would enable distinct use cases spanning over a number of different industry sectors from automotive to manufacturing to healthcare to mining and many more. Australian operators are taking steps and building the foundation to accelerate 5G rollout in the areas that are still void with 5G services and expect to cover most of it in the current year 2021. Therefore, the rise in demands for network services can be satisfied as most of the industry leaders would likely install 5G networks to achieve their business goals, increase productivity and earn more revenues.
