Australia - Mobile Communications - 3G Infrastructure

Synopsis

Deploying 3G networks enabled the mobile operators to offer new, high-bandwidth services such as video calling and mobile broadband. Early development of 3G cellular radio systems began back in the early 1990s but it was not until the mid-2000s that 3G mobile networks started to take off.

With around 60% of subscribers using 3G services, the market is characterised by a high uptake of mobile value-added services across enterprise mobility and consumer segments. Designed to provide both voice and data services to end-users, 3G mobile networks differ from GSM and CDMA networks currently operating in Australia in that they provide higher bandwidth data services, allowing consumers access to a new range of content and applications.

These 3G networks can provide access to data and the internet through either a mobile handset, a mobile handset functioning as a modem for a laptop or personal computer, – plugged into the laptop or PC, or tethered wirelessly, – or a datacard that is inserted into a laptop or PC. Newer developments include wireless 3G modems acting as local WiFi hotspots.

This report provides high-level information on the 3G networks and the mobile sites in Australia, and also provides an analysis of the infrastructure issues. For information on 4G and HSPA and LTE developments see separate report: Australia - Mobile Broadband - HSPA and LTE.

Companies and technologies mentioned

Companies mentioned in this report include – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Hutchinson, VHA, Crown Castle and Ericsson. Technologies mentioned include – LTE, HSPA, UMTS, WCDMA.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Background information
• 3. Network operators
  • 3.1 Telstra
    • 3.1.1 Background information
    • 3.1.2 Telstra LTE plans
    • 3.1.3 2100MHz network licenses
  • 3.2 Optus
    • 3.2.1 Background information
    • 3.2.2 Network speeds and coverage
    • 3.2.3 Wholesale activities
  • 3.3 VHA
    • 3.3.1 Background information
    • 3.3.2 Merged operations
    • 3.3.3 New network developments from Vodafone – 2011
• 4. Mobile sites infrastructure
  • 4.1 Overview and statistics
  • 4.2 Crown Castle
• 5. Infrastructure analysis
  • 5.1 Structural separation and open networks
  • 5.2 Squeezed out of the content markets
  • 5.3 Mobile broadband market
• 6. Mobile broadband High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and Long-term evolution (LTE) (separate report)
• 7. Related reports

• Table 1 – Mobile base stations – 2009; 2011