Each and every electronic communication device operates on a particular frequency or frequency band. They do so with the help of a mobile network. In this article, you will be enlightened upon the various mobile frequencies used in Australia.
If you have got a new smartphone then you will want to check if your phone will function on Aussie mobile networks or not. Look at your device specifications on the box or on a device manufacturer’s website. After that, you can compare them to the frequencies listed below. Be careful with the LTE bands as there are a number of LTE bands out there.
Types of Mobile Network Technology
There are three types of mobile network technologies used in Australia. They are as follows:
- 2G: 2G means 2nd generation mobile phones which uses either GSM codec or CDMA codec. This is an old cellular technology which is still available for legacy support. 2G delivers both voice and data support. It provides a fall-back position when 3G and 4G coverage is inaccessible. Data is very slow. EDGE (reflected as E on your mobile) allows you to browse some websites slowly.
- 3G: 3G means 3rd generation mobile phones which uses either UMTS or HSDPA or WCDMA codecs. Australia 3G band delivers both voice and data support. You get to browse the internet faster than 2G service.
- 4G: 4G means 4th generation mobile network technology. It is known as LTE (Long Term Evolution). Australia 4G band is the fastest wireless technology to date. 4G is used mainly for data. You can also make calls via VoLTE. If you do not have VoLTE feature then your calls will be dropped back to 3G.
Mobile Frequencies of Australia
In this section, you will get all the details about the frequency bands of three major mobile carriers of Australia. They are Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone.
| Major Mobile Network | 2G (GSM or CDMA) | 3G (UMTS or HSDPA or WCDMA) | 4G (LTE) | ||||||||||
| Optus | 900 MHz | 900 MHz
2100 MHz |
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| Telstra | 900 MHz | 850 MHz
2100 MHz |
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| Vodafone | 900 MHz | 850 MHz
900 MHz 2100 MHz (being framed as 4G) |
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2G Shutdown Notice
All the telecommunication companies of Australia are currently shutting down their 2G cellular service. Telstra and Optus have already closed their 2G network service. Vodafone will be shutting down its 2G network on 31st March 2018. This rule also applies to all the MVNOs which use the network services of these major telecommunication companies of Australia.
If you have a dual SIM smartphone, then check the network technology used by the second SIM slot. If the second SIM slot uses the 2G network, then you will not be able to put a 3G or 4G SIM Card in it. In this case, only the primary SIM slot will function properly.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are those companies which depend upon the 3G or 4G network services of major telecommunication companies. Here is the list of all the MVNOs along with their networks used.
| Virtual Operator | Network Used |
| ACN | Optus |
| ALDI Mobile | Telstra |
| Amaysim | Optus |
| Apex Telecom | Optus |
| Better Life Mobile | Telstra |
| Boost Mobile | Telstra |
| Club Telecom | Optus |
| Coles Mobile | Optus |
| Commander | Optus |
| Community Telco | Optus |
| Dodo | Optus |
| Engin | Optus |
| E.Tel | Optus |
| Exetel | Optus |
| GoTalk | Vodafone |
| Hello Mobile | Vodafone |
| iinet | Optus |
| Jeenee Mobile | Optus |
| Just Mobile | Vodafone |
| Kisa | Vodafone |
| Kiss Mobile | Vodafone |
| Kogan Mobile | Vodafone |
| Lebara Mobile | Vodafone |
| Live Connected | Optus |
| Lycamobile | Telstra |
| M2 Telecom | Optus |
| Macquarie Telecom | Optus / Vodafone |
| More Telecom | Optus |
| OVO | Optus |
| PennyTel | Vodafone |
| Pivotel | Vodafone |
| Planet Mobile | Vodafone / Telstra |
| iPrimus | Optus |
| Redbull Mobile | Vodafone |
| Revolution Telecom | Vodafone |
| Reward Mobile | Vodafone |
| SlimTel | Vodafone |
| Soul | Optus |
| Southern Phone | Optus/Telstra |
| Spintel | Optus |
| Startel Communications | Optus |
| TeleChoice | Telstra |
| Think Mobile | Vodafone / Telstra |
| TPG Mobile | Vodafone |
| TransACT | Vodafone |
| Vaya | Optus |
| Virgin Mobile | Optus |
| Woolworths Connect | Telstra |
| Yomojo | Optus |
LTE Frequency Bands Used in Australia
4G means 4th generation mobile network technology. It is known as LTE (Long Term Evolution). The code given in brackets is the LTE band mask. FDD stands for Frequency Division Duplex. TDD denotes Time Division Duplex. These are the currently used LTE frequency bands used in Australia.
- 2100MHz (B1) FDD (0000000000000001) – Telstra (a handful of sites), Optus (Darwin, Tasmania)
- 1800MHz (B3) FDD (0000000000000004) – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
- 850MHz (B5) FDD (0000000000000010) – Vodafone
- 2600MHz (B7) FDD (0000000000000040) – Optus, Telstra (TPG have a license but have not announced plans for it.)
- 900MHz (B8) FDD (0000000000000080) – Telstra (a handful of sites, utilizes spectrum previously used by 2G)
- 700MHz (B28) FDD (0000000008000000) – Telstra, Optus
- 2300MHz (B40) TDD (0000008000000000) – Optus (Vivid wireless spectrum, metropolitan area), NBN (regional area including Gold Coast)
- 3500MHz (B42) TDD (0000020000000000) – Optus, NBN (Both trials at this stage)
How to Know the Frequency Band of Your Mobile?
Apple
Dial *3001#12345# to enter the field test mode. Go to “Serving Cell Info” followed by “Frequency Band Indicator” to know your LTE frequency band.
BlackBerry
Open your web browser and visit: escreen:// and then tap go. Now, click on “3GPP Radio” and tap on “Radio Network Info”. Click on “Serving Cell (LTE)” to know your LTE frequency band.
LG
Dial 3845#*YOURMODELNO# and enter your LG mobile model number. Click “WCDMA Only”. This will open Modern Settings. Open the Engineering Mode and tap the previous button. A new window opens which shows the LTE band number and LTE bandwidth. If you have LG G4 or LG Leon, then dial 277634#*# (OR after marshmallow update use *#546368#*815#* replace 815 with your model number if it is different) and reach the engineering mode.
Nokia/ Microsoft Lumia
Dial ##3282# to enter Field Test mode. Tap “Accept” whenever prompted. Click on “WCDMA” menu for 3G to get UARFCN number or “LTE” menu for 4G to get EARFCN number. This will allow you to know your mobile frequency band.
Samsung
For Samsung mobiles, dial *#0011# to reach the “Service Menu”. A new screen opens listing the frequency band.
Sony Xperia
For Sony Xperia, dial *#*#7378423#*#* to reach the “Service Menu”. Click on “Service Info” followed by “Configuration”. A new screen opens listing the IMEI number, frequency band, and rooting status.
Oppo
Dial *#36446337# to reach the engineering mode. Click on “Network Set” then click “Radio Info”. A screen pops up listing the frequency band.