Existing 4G networks in Australia run on Frequency Division (FD) LTE, which uses two separate frequency channels to deliver data in both directions to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Toowoomba and the Newcastle/Hunter region.
The TD-LTE trial expects to upload and download data on the same frequency, but at different times.
“Optus will be the first Australian carrier to take its network to the next level with a combined TD/FD-LTE 4G network,” said Andrew Smith, VP of mobile engineering at Optus.
“Our aim is to expand coverage for both types of 4G in the coming year to reach over 70% of the metro population by mid-2014.”
According to reports, Optus has 12 TD-LTE base stations in Canberra, with plans for a further 20 in the coming months.
Optus is also expected to be preparing its network for the 700MHz and 2500MHz spectrum that it acquired in an auction in April this year.
To find out more about FD-LTE and TD-LTE click here.
