Singtel subsidiary wins new regional licences in Australia's 5G network

It clinched 47 regional lots for $185.1m across Australia.

Singtel’s subsidiary Optus acquired new regional licences which will enable it to offer 5G services to its customers in the 3.6 GHz spectrum band across Australia, an announcement by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) revealed.

Optus bagged 47 regional lots for a total amount of $185.1m across North and Central Queensland, South East Queensland and Northern NSW, regional Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania and Southern and Western NSW, the statement said.

“The additional spectrum positions Optus strongly to deliver 5G services in cities, regions and holiday locations,” Optus Networks managing director Dennis Wong said in a statement.

Also read: Singtel's Optus poised to benefit from rival Telstra's outages

On the other hand, rival telco Telstra also announced it has secured between 30-80 MHz across Australia in the 3.6
GHz spectrum auction held by the ACMA, investing $386m to support its national 5G rollout.

Optus plans to commercially launch its fixed wireless access services early in 2019 as well as extend its services to regional Australia, the statement highlighted.

The telco conducted live trials and shared 5G proof of concepts during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games which is an international multi-support event held in Australia.