Nokia Boosts Optus 5G Coverage Across Regional Australia

Optus and Nokia have announced a strategic initiative to expand 5G coverage in regional Australia. Leveraging Nokia’s Habrok Massive MIMO radios and Levante baseband cards, the project aims to deliver faster data speeds and improved reliability to underserved communities. The deployment will also support Optus’s RAN-sharing agreement with TPG Telecom, maximizing the use of shared spectrum and infrastructure.

This collaboration is expected to bridge the digital divide, enabling rural businesses and residents to access high-speed internet for streaming, remote work, and IoT applications. The technology upgrade is part of Optus’s broader commitment to network modernization and customer experience.

Nokia’s new hardware introduces significant energy savings, with features like ‘Extreme Deep Sleep’ mode for radios and AI-ready baseband cards that halve energy consumption compared to previous generations. These advancements not only reduce operational costs but also support Optus’s sustainability goals.

The AI capabilities of Nokia’s AirScale platform allow for dynamic network optimization, adapting to traffic demands in real time. This ensures consistent service quality for both consumers and enterprise clients, even in remote areas.

Industry analysts view this deployment as a milestone for regional telecom infrastructure in Australia. By integrating advanced MIMO and AI technologies, Optus sets a benchmark for future 5G rollouts in similar geographies. The partnership is expected to catalyze further innovation in areas like private networks, smart agriculture, and connected logistics.

Looking ahead, both companies plan to explore additional use cases for 5G, including support for mission-critical communications and industrial automation. The project underscores the growing importance of robust, energy-efficient networks in enabling digital transformation.