TPG Telecom noted that its 5G network currently has over 2,500 active sites across the country
Australian operator TPG Telecom said it has expanded its 5G Standalone (SA) coverage to its brands iiNet, TPG, Internode and Westnet.
In a release, the telco said that mobile customers across these brands will see a boost in mobile coverage, as TPG Telecom’s 5G coverage currently reaches 98% population coverage across 12 of Australia’s largest cities and regions.
“Switching on our 5G standalone network for iiNet, TPG, Internode and Westnet is a huge boost for our customers, who will now enjoy a superior mobile experience where they live, work and play,” said David Yeo, general manager for wireless access networks at TPG Telecom.
“Customers can now see the full potential of our 5G SA network and experience superior connectivity thanks to the reach of our national network,” the executive said.
TPG Telecom noted that its 5G network currently has over active 2,500 sites, connecting over 3,000 suburbs across Australia and with over 2.8 million devices on the network capable of using 5G.
In 2021, TPG Telecom and Nokia had switched on a live 5G SA network in Australia on the 700 MHz spectrum band. Under the terms of the partnership, Nokia supplied equipment from its latest ReefShark based AirScale product range including its triple band remote radio unit that supports 700 MHz, 850 MHz and 900 MHz bands. Nokia’s unit also supports 3G, 4G and 5G simultaneously across all TPG Telecom’s low-band frequencies.
In June, the Australian Competition Tribunal declined to allow local operators TPG Telecom and Telstra to share regional spectrum and mobile network assets.
In a release, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) noted that the Tribunal had backed its previous decision of not granting authorization for the proposed regional spectrum arrangements between the two operators.
On December 23, 2022, Telstra and TPG applied to the tribunal for review of the ACCC’s decision of not allowing the telcos to proceed with the proposed agreement. ACCC had blocked the proposal in December last year, as it believed that the deal would not result in the competition benefits claimed by both carriers.
The tribunal denied authorization because it was not satisfied that the proposed arrangements were not likely to have the effect of a substantial lessening of competition in the local mobile market, ACCC said.
The body noted that the proposed agreement would give Telstra substantial benefits and increase its market strength on the retail and wholesale mobile markets, and would undermine rival operator Optus’ incentives to invest in 5G technology.
The tribunal found that this proposed agreement would provide Telstra with substantial commercial and competitive benefits and would further increase Telstra’s position of market strength in the Australian mobile telecommunications market, ACCC added.
Last year, Telstra and TPG Telecom had announced a ten-year regional Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) commercial agreement.
Under the terms of the deal, TPG Telecom was expected to secure access to around 3,700 of Telstra’s mobile network assets, increasing TPG Telecom’s current 4G coverage from around 96% to 98.8% of the population. Meanwhile, Telstra was expected to gain access to TPG Telecom’s spectrum across 4G and 5G, which will allow it to grow its network and increase capacity.
