Optus and Ericsson Deliver World-First 180MHz 5G Standalone Spectrum Aggregation Breakthrough

Optus,  in collaboration with Ericsson,  has achieved a world-first milestone by successfully testing 180MHz across 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum aggregation using 5G standalone (SA) carrier aggregation technology on its live commercial network.

This breakthrough reinforces Optus’ continued leadership in 5G innovation and demonstrates how advanced network technologies can translate into faster speeds, greater reliability and more consistent experience for customers.

This combined Optus’ unique two mid-band TDD spectrum holdings across 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz, achieving a record 180MHz TDD spectrum aggregation. In particular:

• Four-Component Carrier (4CC) aggregation enabled 220MHz downlink bandwidth, leveraging spectrum across four different bands of 900MHz, 2.1GHz, 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz
• Two-Component Carrier (2CC) uplink aggregation combined one Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) band from 900MHz and 2.1GHz with one TDD band from 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz
• Achieved peak speeds of 3.4Gbps (downlink) and 200Mbps (uplink) in a live network site with commercial devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

This new capability significantly enhances how customers experience Optus’ 5G network. It delivers a superior experience for data-intensive applications and services, such as high-resolution video streaming, AR/VR and downloading large files. This advancement will also ensure that when Optus’ 5G network is in high demand and being used by many customers simultaneously, that these applications run more seamlessly.

By combining low-band and mid-band spectrum dynamically, Optus can better allocate network resources in real time, ensuring customers enjoy stable, high-quality connectivity even in high-traffic environments such as CBDs, transport hubs and events.

This world-first milestone delivers tangible, real-world benefits where they matter most. Tested on Optus’ live commercial network at its Sydney campus using mainstream devices including the latest flagship smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, it highlights the practical readiness of large-scale 5G standalone 4CC TDD and FDD carrier aggregation in commercial environments.

This unique 180MHz combination across two TDD spectrum bands will also enhance 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services, enabling more households and businesses to benefit from high-speed, reliable broadband alternatives.

This milestone builds on previous achievements by Optus and Ericsson in advancing 5G carrier aggregation capabilities, with Optus demonstrating its first 2300MHz + 3500MHz 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) Carrier Aggregation call in partnership with Ericsson in 2020. Such milestones reflect a continued focus on evolving network performance to meet growing customer demand and enable future digital services

This new capability is already supported by mainstream devices on the Optus network today, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 and later series.

“This achievement demonstrates how we are translating cutting-edge 5G technology into meaningful benefits for customers in real-world environments. Through our ongoing collaboration with Ericsson, we are unlocking greater capacity and performance across our 5G network, enabling faster speeds and more reliable connectivity. This milestone marks an important step in our network evolution towards 5G Advanced, reinforcing our commitment to remain at the forefront of innovation and to deliver tangible value for our customers.”

– Sri Amirthalingam, Chief Technology Officer, Optus 

“Optus continues to demonstrate strong leadership in adopting advanced 5G capabilities, and this milestone highlights the strength of our partnership. By expanding and combining multiple spectrum assets with Ericsson technology, we are helping Optus deliver meaningful performance improvements that translate directly into better everyday experiences for their customers.”

– Ludvig Landgren, Head, Ericsson Australia and New Zealand

Optus plans to progressively roll out this advanced carrier aggregation capability across its metropolitan networks in Sydney and Melbourne over the next 12-18 months, bringing enhanced performance to more customers.