TPG Telecom has announced it has reached over 85% 5G population coverage in ten of Australia’s largest cities and regions (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong and NSW Central Coast).
The milestone has been achieved with the launch today of the company’s 5G standalone core, which connects devices directly to 5G without the need for a 4G connection, utilizing its 700MHz spectrum holdings.
As an example the maps below show TPG 5G mobile coverage in Sydney with and without the 5G standalone core
TPG Telecom partnered with Ericsson and Nokia to build its 5G standalone core, with Ericsson providing the packet core solution and Nokia providing the subscriber data management solutions.
Smartphone manufacturers are expected to start pushing out updates to enable 5G standalone compatible handsets within weeks.
TPG 5G Mobile network key facts:
- 5G capable of delivering speeds of more than 400Mbps
- 5G standalone core triples average site coverage footprint, increases the addressable market for 5G fixed wireless, improves latency by around 30 per cent, and provides a more consistent 5G experience
- National 5G spectrum holdings with 700MHz and 3.6GHz spectrum deployed
- 26GHz (mmWave) spectrum acquired and now in testing phase
- Around one million 5G-enabled devices on the network and standalone capability upgrades for major 5G devices due in coming weeks
- More than 100 5G sites being added each month, with around 160 sites to be upgraded in November
TPG Telecom Chief Executive Officer Iñaki Berroeta said the 5G standalone core is a game-changer for the company and its mobile and home internet customers.
“The upgraded core network has amplified our 700 MHz spectrum, tripling our 5G coverage and giving us greater reach across suburbs and in densely populated areas. This will give us a competitive boost going forward, with our 5G coverage on par or ahead of other mobile networks in many areas”.
“It not only means more coverage in more places for mobile customers, it also significantly increases our 5G fixed wireless footprint”.
“Two in three Australians are now covered by our 5G where they work and live, and with the first major device due to be upgraded to work with standalone 5G in just a few weeks, the new coverage is ready.”
“The merger has enabled us to build a better and smarter 5G network faster than we otherwise would have, delivering one of the biggest and most tangible benefits for customers”.
“Since the merger, we have integrated our spectrum, fibre and small cells to create our best ever mobile network”.
“The combination of the 700 MHz low band spectrum holdings of the pre-merged businesses has enabled us to deliver an outstanding 5G network and means we are strongly-positioned for the future”.
“Using innovative approaches such as our 5G factory-assembly, we have also significantly increased our speed of site delivery, switching on more than 100 5G sites per month. We will deliver around 160 5G sites in November.
“No other carrier has achieved that with a full upgrade like ours and we are now delivering more sites a month than the others combined. Our 5G upgrade rollout has been in full swing for months and we will keep that momentum as we complete the program.”
