If you’re looking at buying a new unlocked mobile device to use between Australian carriers, it is worth knowing which Australian networks it will support. The three mobile networks in Australia are run by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. The various other providers all operate over these networks. Some are owned by the larger carriers, such as Virgin Mobile. Now take a view of the LTE bands used by the Aussie carriers.
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| Carriers | 4G Bands
(Fast broadband) |
3G Bands
(Calls, Text, Broadband) |
| Telstra | B28 (700 Mhz)
B8 (900 Mhz) B3 (1800 Mhz) B14 (2100Mhz) |
B4 (2100Mhz)
B5 (850Mhz) |
| Optus
& Virgin Mobile |
B28 (700 Mhz)
B3 (1800 Mhz) B14 (2100Mhz) B7 (FDD 2600Mhz) B40 (TDD 2300Mhz) |
B4 (2100Mhz)
B8 (900Mhz) |
| Vodafone | B5 (850 Mhz)
B3 (1800 Mhz) |
B4 (2100Mhz)
B8 (900Mhz) B5 (850) |
Telstra
Telstra is Australia’s telecommunications juggernaut. It has more than doubled the subscribers of Optus and Vodafone because Telstra is seen to have superior network coverage and reception.
Telstra also claims the fastest 4G speeds in Australia on its category 6 (CAT6) ‘4GX’-branded LTE-A network. That ‘mumbo jumbo’ means Telstra combines its 700MHz frequency with its 1800MHz (a process called ‘carrier aggregation’) to deliver even faster speeds. Of course, you need a 700MHz/1800MHz-compatible device, as well as one that can handle CAT6, if you really want to see the benefits.
Optus
Optus continues to aggressively expand its rural and metro 4G and 3G networks in order to remain competitive. It has also adopted what is known as TD LTE in some regions for its 4G. Currently, most Optus TD areas overlap with FD ones, so you can run your device on either. Optus is the only major network to sell 4G access to MVNOs.
Vodafone
Vodafone is the only Australian carrier that didn’t bid for the 700MHz frequencies. It’s the only carrier with 3G across three ranges (850MHz, 900MHz and 2100MHz), but in the 4G space it’s currently only operating on the 850MHz and 2100Mhz frequencies, with plans to reform much of its 3G 850MHz network capacity over to 4G by the end of 2014.
How to Choose Mobile Devices for Aussie Carriers
From the above table, you could get to know that if you want to buy an unlocked device to use for all the carriers, it must support LTE band Band 3/5/28.
Here are the compatible device lists for LTE bands 3/5/28
Click to view list of LTE Band 28 FDD 700Mhz Pcs Supported Devices
Click to view list of LTE Band 5 FDD 850Mhz PCS supported devices
For the FDD 1800Mhz device, most of the devices could support for it.
To get a LTE modem, Huawei E3276, E392, Aircard 320U are the most popular modems for Canadian users.
To get a mobile hotspot, Huawei E5786s-63a, Huawei E5786s-32a, and Huawei E5776 are the most puplular .
To get a LTE CPE, Huawei B315-607 and Huawei E5186s-61a are the most popular routers in Australian market.
