The Optus-TPG team-up has gotten the go ahead as regional customers benefit
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided not to oppose the three agreements between TPG and Optus, which are set to reshape mobile services in regional Australia.
This deal, which is made up of three different agreements – MOCN (Multi-Operator Core Network), Service and Spectrum Authorisation – is significant in three key ways according to an April statement from Optus that was reaffirmed this morning. Firstly, the majority of TPG sites will be decommissioned, with remaining sites being integrated into the Optus network – thus allowing Optus’ 5G rollout plans to be fast-tracked with 1,500 5G sites by 2028 and almost 2,444 by 2030.
Access to Optus’ network will also allow TPG to increase its 4G coverage from 400,000 to 1,000,000 square kilometres, reaching 98.4% of the population. And Optus’ licensing of TPG’s spectrum for use in the MOCN will increase capacity, quality and speed for both regional TPG and Optus customers.
Those living in metropolitan areas will be unaffected, as both TPG and Optus will continue separately as normal where more than 81% of Australians live.
The ACCC, by its very existence, considered the effects the agreement would have on competition of retail and wholesale mobile services in Australia but thought it was unlikely to « substantially » lessen competition.
As ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said, « TPG currently has significantly less infrastructure and coverage in regional areas compared to Telstra and to a lesser extent Optus.
