Optus has completed its acquisition of Vividwireless from Seven Group Holdings (SGH). The Australian operator plans to build two major LTE-TDD testing facilities in St Marys in Western Sydney and at the Optus Campus in Macquarie Park ahead of national LTE-TDD network rollout in 2013. With the purchase of Vividwireless, Optus gained access to 98 MHz of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band across key population areas.

Optus today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of the Vividwireless Group from Seven Group Holdings (SGH).

In preparation for a major national LTE-TDD network rollout in 2013, Optus will build two major LTE-TDD testing facilities in St Marys in Western Sydney and at the Optus Campus in Macquarie Park.

Having gained access to up to 98MHz of spectrum in the 2.3GHz band across key population areas, Optus will soon have the highest capacity 4G network in Australia offering customers a fast and consistent 4G experience.
The new network will deliver a series of benefits to Optus customers across Australia including:

• Faster mobile broadband to households and businesses in metropolitan Australia with typical download speeds ranging from 25Mbps to 87Mbps.
• Stronger network performance and customer experience with Australia’s highest capacity 4G network in metropolitan areas.
• Enhancement to Optus’ existing 4G network, which was launched in Newcastle and the Hunter region of New South Wales in April 2012 and will be expanded to capital cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth by middle of the year.
• Accelerated roll out – roll out will be fast tracked with the benefit of additional existing shared mobile sites following the recent extended joint venture agreement with Vodafone.

Kevin Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Australia, said, ”The successful completion of the Vividwireless deal reinforces our commitment to being a leader in 4G and in providing Australians with a range of high speed mobile services. This is an important step in our vision to lead the industry in customer experience by delivering relevant content and applications anywhere, on any device.”

Optus has received ACCC and FIRB approval for the acquisition and has been advised by the ACMA of its willingness to reissue key Vividwireless licences in accordance with the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Access Charges) Direction 2012.