Optus to deploy multi-operator 5G Radio Dot System across Australia

Following a successful lab test, Aussie operator Optus is now planning to deploy Ericsson's multi-operator 5G Radio Dot System across the country. Once deployed, the system will provide high-capacity 5G in indoor environments, enabling enterprises to drive operational efficiencies.

Optus will deploy the Radio Dot System at indoor venues like sporting venues, multi-story buildings and shopping precincts. It will also be used as a 5G capacity overlay in locations where the operator has already deployed legacy solutions like shopping centre food courts, airport lounge rooms or stadium corporate rooms to enable new emerging immersive technologies such as extended reality (XR) and virtual reality (VR).

"We are pleased to be supporting Optus to deliver this innovative solution to its customers. With the rapidly growing demands for data, coupled with the complexities of delivering the highest quality coverage in indoor environments, Optus can now easily deploy a solution that delivers indoor 5G coverage to support major enterprise customers, delivering high-capacity 5G indoor coverage on 3.5GHz spectrum, which is critical for indoor locations such as venues, sporting stadiums and buildings," Daniel Ode, Ericsson’s Head of Global Customer Unit, Singtel.

The multi-operator functionality allows all operators to share the TCO in providing the 5G coverage and capacity in indoor environments, whilst addressing the rapidly increasing demand by enterprises and consumers.

The multi-operator 5G Radio Dot System will also enable Ericsson's precise indoor positioning of people or objects inside multi-storey buildings, airports, and underground locations where traditional GPS and other satellite technologies previously lacked precision.

Commenting on this development, Kent Wu, Optus Vice President Access Network Strategy, Planning and Quality, stated, "This successful test and upcoming deployment of Radio Dot highlights Optus’ commitment to delivering the highest quality and innovative technologies to meet the growing needs of its enterprise customers, and end users. With Ericsson's multi-operator 5G Radio Dot system, Optus can support its consumer and enterprise customers across multiple venues to deliver a high-capacity 5G solution for both uplink and downlink and enhance 5G customer experience in indoor locations enabling new emerging use cases such as XR/VR, and precise positioning."

Optus is planning to initially implement the multi-operator Ericsson Radio Dot System in its network in NSW during 2024.