Nokia and TPG Telecom have announced the launch of the world’s first 5G standalone (SA) network in Australia that uses the 700MHz spectrum band.
A single low band (600-700MHz) spectrum tower enables 5G networks to cover hundreds of square miles with a 5G service (unlike mmWave, which only covers shorter distances), with speeds from 30 to 250 megabits per second (Mbps), and they help support 3.5Ghz 5G rollout. Benefits include:
- The 700MHz spectrum has a large coverage area
- The 700MHz spectrum has good outdoor-to-indoor penetration
- Low band spectrum supports massive machine type communication (mMTC)
- Only moderate investment is required (on top of existing 800/900 MHz grids)
Expanding 5G coverage
This new partnership will see Nokia supply equipment from its latest ReefShark-based AirScale range, including its triple band remote radio unit that supports 700, 850 and 900 MHz bands.
“TPG Telecom’s low band 5G will expand our 5G coverage, supporting our goal of reaching 85% of the population in Australia’s top six cities."
Barry Kezik, TPG Telecom.
“We’re excited to be the first network in the world to realise the true potential of low band 5G SA at 700MHz,” said Barry Kezik, executive general manager of mobile and fixed networks at TPG Telecom. “TPG Telecom’s low band 5G will expand our 5G coverage, supporting our goal of reaching 85% of the population in Australia’s top six cities by the end of the year and changing the way people and things connect to the TPG Telecom 5G network.”
TPG Telecom’s 5G SA service is now successfully activated in parts of Sydney, with towers also supporting 3G, 4G and 5G simultaneously across all TPG Telecom’s low-band frequencies.
“Nokia is proud to support another 5G world first,” said Dr Robert Joyce, CTO at Nokia Oceania. “We have a long-standing partnership with TPG Telecom, and we have jointly developed our unique triple band radio solution specifically for them. Today we get to see the result of that joint effort and collaboration which will deliver premium wide area 5G SA coverage for TPG Telecom and its customers.”
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