The spectrum in the 2100MHz band currently used to deliver 3G services will be refarmed by Optus. The spectrum is said to be used for 4G and 5G services beginning July this year. For this reason, Optus is kicking off the shutdown of 2100MHz 3G services. However, the telco will still offer 3G support care of its 900MHz holdings.

According to an Optus spokesperson, the company’s intent to cease supporting 3G in the 2100MHz band is part of a network technology refresh that was planned 12 months ago. The company noted that its customers are already increasingly relying on its 4G and 5G services. 

“Over the last year Optus has provided notice of our plans to the market including customer-specific communications ensuring impacted customers have enough time to upgrade their devices and/or SIM cards,” the spokesperson said.

“The refarming of these spectrum assets, currently used to support 3G technology, will be reallocated to provide a better 4G network experience as well as support the growth of 5G, providing Optus customers with a more enhanced experience,” the spokesperson further added.

In the previous year, Optus networks managing director Lambo Kanagaratnam said that the planned refresh came as customers increasingly adopted 5G devices.

“In the last 12 months we have really seen our customers embrace 5G technology with take up of 5G enabled devices growing significantly,” he said in a statement.

“We know that our customers are using more data than ever. They’re downloading, sharing, and streaming content, using apps, and connecting with friends and colleagues virtually,” he further added. “In order to support this thirst for connectivity, it’s vital that we evolve our network, and redeploying our 2100MHz spectrum assets to better accommodate next-generation technologies is an important step in achieving this.”

For quite some time, Optus has already been using part of its 2100MHz holdings for 5G and 4G. This is made possible by leveraging Dynamic Spectrum Sharing. In the metro areas, Optus owns 2x20MHz of 2100MHz spectrum.

The spokesperson for Optus added that the company now has more than 2.3 million 5G compatible devices on its network. This figure highlighted “the increasing shift towards 5G capable devices as the technology matures.”

“With more customers migrating to newer technologies it is important that Optus is able to support this demand by refreshing technology assets and repurposing spectrum to provide access to the innovative and emerging technologies supported by 5G,” the spokesperson also said.