Australian operator Optus has launched LTE network in Wollongong. Optus has switched on LTE at five mobile sites in central Wollongong, kicking off a series of extensive network upgrades and expansions in the greater Illawarra area in the coming six months, which will also include upgrades to the Optus 3G network.

Since the switch-on of Optus 4G services in Newcastle in April last year, Optus has rolled out 4G in select areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Toowoomba as well as the Newcastle and Hunter regions.

Over the next six months, operator plans to progressively expand LTE coverage in select areas of Shellharbour, Kiama, Figtree, Woonona, Maddens Plains, alderwood, Fern Hill, Unanderra, Port Kembla, West Dapto, Warilla, Shell Cove, and Blackbutt.

Optus has recently upgraded more than 4,000 3G sites across metro and major rural markets nationally. The next phase of upgrades will see 41 Optus mobile sites across the Illawarra region upgraded to provide better mobile coverage for customers with compatible 3G dual-band devices.

Optus is also working on adding more mobile sites into its greater Illawarra network. Over the next 18 months, new sites will be activated with both 4G and upgraded 3G coverage at select areas of Albion Park Water Reservoir, Austimer, Berkeley North, Bulli Station, Cobblers Hills East, Coledale, East West Link, , Fairy Meadow, Farmborough Heights, Gwynneville, Kanahooka, Koonawarra, Lakelands, Mt Ousely, Mt St Thomas North, , North Wollongong, Ocean Park, Port Kembla, Primbee, Russell Vale, Scarborough, , Thirroul, Unanderra South, Warilla, Windang, and Yallah.