Optus prepares to deploy multi-operator 5G Radio Dot System

Optus has conducted a successful test of the high-capacity wideband multi-operator Ericsson Radio Dot System, ahead of further deployment across the network. When deployed, the system will provide high-capacity 5G connectivity indoors, enabling Australian enterprises to drive operational efficiencies by offering high-speed, ultralow latency and improved 5G reliability to end users, supporting data-demanding applications and devices. This will enable customers from various communications service providers to receive indoor mobile phone coverage with the same quality when the service providers connect their base station equipment to the multi-operator system as well.

The Ericsson Radio Dot System consists of the Radio Dot 4455, Indoor Radio Unit (IRU) 1649 and Indoor Connect (IC) 8855. Having been successfully tested at the Optus Lab in Sydney, Optus plans to deploy the system at indoor facilities such as sporting venues, multi-storey buildings and shopping precincts across Australia, providing an upgraded experience for customers and end users. It will also be used as a 5G capacity overlay in locations where Optus has already deployed legacy solutions like shopping centre food courts, airport lounge rooms or stadium corporate rooms and will enable new immersive technologies such as XR and VR.

The multi-operator Ericsson Radio Dot System will enable Optus to deliver high-capacity 5G in indoor environments whilst supporting the wideband 3.5 GHz spectrum of all Australian mobile operators. The multi-operator functionality enables all operators to share the total cost of ownership (TCO) in providing the 5G coverage and capacity in indoor environments, whilst addressing the rapidly increasing demand by enterprises and consumers. In addition, the system will 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 the precision.

“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,” said Kent Wu, Optus Vice President Access Network Strategy, Planning and Quality.

The first production implementation for the multi-operator Ericsson Radio Dot System is planned for Optus’s NSW network during 2024.

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