Optus is partnering with Ericsson to roll out advanced 5G antenna tech that promises better coverage and a greener network footprint.
The deal will see Ericsson supply its specialist Antenna System solutions across Optus’ network. Before signing on the dotted line, Optus put Ericsson’s kit through its paces in real-world tests.
The results of the real-world tests apparently impressed the brass at Optus, showing the new antennas could maintain performance while sipping less power than existing solutions.
For everyday users, this should translate to fewer dropouts and faster speeds, particularly in those annoying coverage black spots inside buildings or in busy city centres where networks typically struggle.
What caught my eye about this partnership is the emphasis on energy efficiency. As our appetite for data continues to grow exponentially, the electricity needed to power mobile networks is becoming an increasingly thorny issue.
Ludvig Landgren, Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, said: “By leveraging our latest innovations, we are helping Optus continue to deliver an outstanding customer experience while advancing its sustainability goals.”
Kent Wu, VP of Network Strategy & Architecture at Optus, added: “The performance improvements demonstrated during field trials confirm that Ericsson’s antennas will provide Optus with greater network efficiency, improved spectral utilisation, and long-term energy savings.”
Industry watchers I’ve spoken with suggest this kind of upgrade is becoming essential rather than optional. As more consumers snap up 5G devices and expect to stream, game, and video chat without a hitch, the underlying infrastructure needs serious muscle to keep up.
The reality is that while everyone wants lightning-fast mobile internet, few consider the massive energy requirements behind it. This partnership seems to acknowledge that telecoms can’t just keep ramping up power consumption to meet demand—they need smarter infrastructure.
While Optus hasn’t revealed exactly where or when these new Ericsson antennas will appear first, the investment signals confidence in Australia’s growing appetite for high-speed mobile connectivity.
For a country with vast distances and challenging topography, advancements like these could help bridge the digital divide while keeping an eye on environmental impact.
See also: The push for 5G+: More supply than demand?
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