In what Nokia and TPG Telecom say is the first time this has happened in the world. They said, coverage at 700MHz, which provides the largest range, will enable TPG Telecom to provide wide outdoor 5G services, as well as deep indoor 5G coverage in urban and suburban areas to its customers.

Under the partnership, Nokia is supplying equipment from its ReefShark based AirScale product range including triple band remote radio unit that supports 700, 850 and 900 MHz bands. The unit also supports 3G, 4G and 5G simultaneously across all TPG Telecom’s low-band frequencies. TPG Telecom’s 5G SA service is now successfully activated in parts of Sydney and this means that the operator’s customers will benefit from having 5G available in more places.

The Vodafone Australia brand operates under the TPG Telecom Group, so Vodafone mobile customers will benefit from the better 5G indoor and outdoor coverage afforded by using 700MHz.

TPG Telecom executive general manager mobile and fixed networks Barry Kezik (pictured above) said: “We’re excited to be the first network in the world to realise the true potential of low band 5G SA at 700MHz.

“TPG Telecom’s low band 5G will expand our 5G coverage, supporting our goal of reaching 85% of the population in Australia’s top six cities by the end of the year and changing the way people and things connect to the TPG Telecom 5G network.”

Nokia Oceania chief technology officer Dr Robert Joyce said: “Nokia is proud to support another 5G world first. We have a long-standing partnership with TPG Telecom, and we have jointly developed our unique triple band radio solution specifically for them.

“Today we get to see the result of that joint effort and collaboration which will deliver premium wide area 5G SA coverage for TPG Telecom and its customers.”