Optus is enhancing its 5G network across regional Australia by deploying Nokia’s newest radio and baseband technologies. The upgrade follows Optus’s RAN-sharing agreement with TPG Telecom, enabling the use of TPG’s spectrum in select regional areas.
Central to this deployment are Nokia’s Habrok 32 Massive MIMO radios and its Levante and Ponente baseband solutions, part of the company’s AirScale portfolio. The Habrok radios, powered by Nokia’s ReefShark System-on-Chip, are said to deliver a 33% increase in output power, making them well-suited for both new installations and modernizing existing sites. This technology allows Optus to optimize shared spectrum resources in its collaborative regions with TPG.
The Habrok radios also feature an energy-saving “Extreme Deep Sleep” mode, which conserves power by turning off inactive resources without compromising network performance. Levante, an AI-compatible 5G baseband card, is designed to cut energy usage by up to 50% compared to previous versions. Meanwhile, the Ponente control card supports growing traffic demands while maintaining efficiency.
According to Kent Wu, Optus’s Vice President of Access Network Strategy, these upgrades are aimed at meeting rising connectivity demands, especially in underserved areas. Wu emphasized that the new equipment delivers a solid combination of performance and cost efficiency, ensuring better streaming, content sharing, and social media experiences for customers.
Nokia’s Mobile Networks President, Tommi Uitto, highlighted that this rollout continues their long-standing partnership with Optus. He noted that the updated AirScale solutions will not only improve 5G coverage and speed but also support sustainability goals through advanced energy-saving features.
The network expansion stems from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s approval of the Optus-TPG agreement last year, covering regions where around 17% of Australia’s population lives.
