Optus is planning to reallocate 2100 MHz spectrum at this time used for 3G expert services to its 4G and 5G networks in April up coming calendar year.
It usually means the telco will no longer offer a dual-band 3G community after April 2022, with 3G expert services to be available as a result of its 900 MHz spectrum only.
Optus said some of the 2100 MHz assets would be reallocated as element of a community technological know-how refresh to deliver far better 4G community coverage and support the growth of 5G.
It has urged shoppers with a 2100 MHz-only 3G product to upgrade to a 4G or 5G able product to proceed to accessibility its community.
Optus Wholesale assistance provider shoppers employing the 2100 MHz community will also be influenced, the telco said.
Telstra switched off its 2100 MHz spectrum in March 2019, when Vodafone has phased 3G connectivity on its 2100 MHz spectrum.
Optus networks managing director Lambo Kanagaratnam said the planned refresh arrives as shoppers progressively undertake 5G devices.
“In the very last 12 months we have definitely witnessed our shoppers embrace 5G technological know-how with just take up of 5G enabled devices growing substantially,” he said in a assertion.
Kanagaratnam said that with data usage continuing to improve, the reallocation would be certain “spectrum assets are functioning nicely for customers”.
“We know that our shoppers are employing extra data than ever. They are downloading, sharing and streaming articles, employing applications and connecting with mates and colleagues virtually,” he said.
“In order to support this thirst for connectivity it’s critical that we evolve our community and redeploying our 2100MHz spectrum assets to far better accommodate up coming technology systems is an vital action in obtaining this.”
Optus is planning to make contact with shoppers impacted by the planned shutdown of its 3G community on the 2100 MHz spectrum around the coming months.
“Importantly we are giving 12 months’ observe to be certain influenced shoppers are mindful of our ideas and have sufficient time to upgrade to more recent devices that can support 4G or 5G,” Kanagaratnam included.