Optus is planning to refarm the 900MHz GSM frequency to improve UMTS 3G coverage and is planning an LTE roll-out using the 1800MHz band in Sydney and Perth.
NSN will upgrade the Optus mobile network and roll out LTE using its radio access network and base station solutions. The vendor is also providing its Evolved Packet Core platform, which includes network server and network gateway utilities.
“Spectrum is a scarce resource, so operators are seeking ways to make the best use of it. With this deal, Optus will re-use its existing spectrum to modernise its radio network and also offer 4G services cost-efficiently in one of the largest spectrum migration programmes globally,” said Stephen McFeeley, head of Australia and New Zealand at NSN.
As part of the contract NSN will provide Optus with its in-building solution to improve network capacity and coverage indoors. The vendor will also provide network implementation, radio planning, project management, software maintenance and third party software support.
Optus and Vodafone Hutchison Australia signed a MoU to share 3G and 4G mobile sites in May but it was not announced that the upgrade programme would extend to Vodafone sites in the future.
