Nokia and TPG Telecom announced that they had activated a live 5G standalone (SA) network in Australia on the 700MHz spectrum band, marking the first time in the world. TPG Telecom will provide its customers with comprehensive outdoor 5G services and deep indoor 5G coverage in urban and suburban areas thanks to low band 5G coverage at 700MHz, the lowest 5G frequency band deployed in Australia’s most excellent range.

“Nokia is proud to support another 5G world first. We have a long-standing partnership with TPG Telecom, and we have jointly developed our unique triple band radio solution specifically for them. Today we get to see the result of that joint effort and collaboration which will deliver premium wide area 5G SA coverage for TPG Telecom and its customers.”

Dr Robert Joyce, Chief Technology Officer at Nokia Oceania

Nokia is supplying equipment from its latest ReefShark-based AirScale product line, including its unique triple band remote radio unit that supports 700, 850, and 900 MHz bands, as part of the partnership. Additionally, the unit supports 3G, 4G, and 5G simultaneously across all TPG Telecom low-band frequencies. TPG Telecom’s 5G SA service has now been successfully activated in parts of Sydney, allowing the operator’s customers to benefit from having 5G available in more places.

Low band 5G can reach further outdoors and deeper into buildings than existing 5G deployments, allowing operators such as TPG Telecom to get even more customers.

“We’re excited to be the first network in the world to realise the true potential of low band 5G SA at 700MHz. TPG Telecom’s low band 5G will expand our 5G coverage, supporting our goal of reaching 85% of the population in Australia’s top six cities by the end of the year and changing the way people and things connect to the TPG Telecom 5G network.”

Barry Kezik, Executive General Manager Mobile and Fixed Networks at TPG Telecom