According to a recent report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Telstra continues to have the most mobile sites with significant dominance in regional and remote areas. in the last year the telco has added more than 500 new mobile sites and now has nearly twice the number of TPG across its national network.
As at 31 January 2023, Telstra had the most mobile sites (11,302) followed by Optus (8,821) and TPG (5,769) (Table 3.1). Telstra’s total mobile site count also increased the most of all MNOs, 300 more sites, since 2022, followed by Optus (189 more sites) and TPG (41 more sites). In regional areas and remote areas of Australia, Telstra had substantially more sites than the other MNOs between 2018 and 2023.
The ACCC report said: “Over the period, the gap between Telstra and Optus appears to have reduced. In regional areas in 2023, Telstra had 40% more sites than Optus, down from 45% in 2018. While in remote areas in 2023, Telstra had 282% more sites than Optus, a drop from 324% in 2018."
"On the other hand, the gap between Telstra and TPG has widened. In regional areas in 2023, Telstra had 216% more sites than TPG, up from 192% in 2018. In remote areas, the gap is significantly larger. In 2023, Telstra had 2318% more sites than TPG up from 2176% in 2018. The gap between Telstra and TPG in remote areas is not surprising given TPG’s limited mobile coverage in these areas."
3G sites
The three carriers also closed down around 500 3G sites between them last year. “The transition away from 3G sites appears to be largely taking place in Major Cities. Telstra and TPG have been reducing their number of 3G sites in Major Cities since 2018 and 2019 respectively. However, since 2022, Optus has also started to reduce their number of 3G sites in Major Cities, and the pace of reduction was significant compared to those of Telstra and TPG” the ACCC said.
"It is likely that the number of 3G sites will decrease significantly in the next 12–18 months with Optus, Telstra and TPG all having plans to shut down their 3G networks. TPG is expected to be the first in December 20239, followed by Telstra in June 202410 and Optus in September 2024."
It is important to note that there are still many 3G only sites in operation across Australia. Unless 4G/5G coverage is provided by other sites in the relevant areas, these 3G only sites will need to be upgraded to 4G and/or 5G to avoid customers losing coverage and/or having a reduced quality of service after the 3G shutdown.
5G sites
As at 31 January 2023, Telstra had the most 5G sites (4,559 sites) with 57% more 5G sites than Optus (2,905 sites) and more than twice as many sites as TPG (2,063 sites). TPG added the most 5G sites (1,034 sites) since 2022, followed by Optus (973 sites) and Telstra (488 sites). The vast majority of these sites were rolled out in Major Cities. The rollout of 5G continues to progress across all the MNO's with each having a 5G presence across the ABS remoteness areas, excluding TPG with TPG in Very Remote Australia.
It is expected that there will be continued growth in 5G sites as Telstra, Optus & TPG focuses on 5G rollout and network expansion. In terms of 5G, the ACCC said: “The roll out of 5G is still in its early stages and so far it has been predominantly rolled out using low and mid-band spectrum. However, use of high band spectrum (26 GHz) is beginning to grow with Telstra leading the way with 289 sites using this spectrum.”
It added: “Telstra had deployed the most sites that utilise low band 5G spectrum with 2,605 sites using 850 MHz spectrum, as at 31 January 2023. However, Optus and TPG have both increased their low band usage with both adding approximately 1,000 5G sites in the last year using low band spectrum. Optus reported use of low band spectrum (900 MHz) for 5G for the irst time in 2023.”
Download the ACCC report - Mobile Infrastructure Report (.pdf)
