Optus and TPG Telecom’s regional network sharing arrangement is officially live, effectively doubling the coverage of Australia's second and third largest mobile network operators in regional areas of the country.
Under the network sharing arrangement, TPG and Optus share the 4G and 5G radio access network in regional areas, but both carriers continue to operate their own core networks.
The sharing agreement is designed to enable each carrier to have full control over its own network, provide differentiation of service, and retain independent control of security and resiliency.
"From today, TPG Telecom’s mobile coverage has more than doubled across Australia, going from 400,000 square kilometres of coverage to more than one million square kilometres of coverage," the telco stated in its announcement.
"The successful implementation of the multi-operator core network (MOCN) means tourists and regional communities now have more choice when it comes to seeking a new mobile provider in regional Australia.
"TPG Telecom and its family of brands – including Vodafone, TPG, iiNet, Felix, Lebara and Kogan and MVNO Lyca – all benefit from the additional coverage.
"The network sharing arrangement will give TPG Telecom access to 2,500 mobile towers on Optus’s regional mobile network increasing its coverage to 98.4% of the Australian population."
TPG Telecom Chief Executive, Iñaki Berroeta, said the switch-on of the expanded mobile network launches a new era of mobile competition and improved service for its brands and customers.
“TPG Telecom’s family of brands are now in more towns and regional destinations than ever before thanks to this innovative network sharing agreement,” Berroeta said.
“For our customers this is all about providing great coverage and service at great prices.
"For our business, it’s about significantly increasing our addressable market overnight so we can better compete for and retain customers right across Australia.”
The shared regional network also uses both Optus and TPG Telecom spectrum, which the companies say will deliver improved capacity, service quality and speeds.
“By sharing network assets, we can more efficiently extend the many social and economic benefits of mobile services to more consumer and business customers across Australia,” Berroeta said.