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 look 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.
Mobile Frequencies in Australia
Imagine highways for data! Mobile frequencies are radio waves that carry your calls, texts, and internet data on your phone. Different frequencies have different strengths and weaknesses:
- Lower frequencies (like 850MHz and 900MHz): Travel farther and penetrate buildings better, but offer slower speeds. Great for regional areas with patchy coverage.
- Higher frequencies (like 1800MHz and 2600MHz): Provide faster data speeds, but have shorter range and struggle inside buildings. Ideal for cities and high-traffic areas.
What are different Australian Mobile Network Frequencies?
The different types of current technologies and frequencies used by major carriers in Australia are:
- 3G: Uses UMTS, HSDPA, or WCDMA codecs and offers both voice and data support. Speeds are faster than 2G but slower than 4G.
- 4G LTE: The most common network in Australia, offering significantly faster data speeds than 3G. Here are the main frequency bands:
- Band 1 (850MHz): Used by Telstra and Optus for better regional coverage.
- Band 3 (1800MHz): Widely used by all carriers for a good balance of coverage and speed.
- Band 7 (2600MHz): Mostly used in cities by Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone for faster speeds.
- Band 28 (700MHz): Newer band offering better coverage in regional areas (used by Telstra and Optus).
- 5G: The next generation of mobile internet, offering super-fast speeds. The main frequency in Australia is:
- n78 (3500MHz): Used by all major carriers for national 5G coverage. It offers superior speed but might have shorter range compared to 4G.
Important Update: 2G networks in Australia have been completely shut down as of 2018. This means phones that rely solely on 2G technology will no longer function.
Here’s a quick carrier breakdown (all using 3G and 4G LTE):
- Telstra 4G: Uses most bands, including Band 8 (900MHz) for extra regional coverage.
- Optus 4G: Primarily uses Band 1, 3, 7, and 28.
- Vodafone 4G: Mainly uses Band 1, 3, and 5 (another 4G band).
Finding Your Phone’s 4G Frequency:
Unfortunately, most phones don’t display the specific frequency you’re connected to. However, you can check your phone’s manual or search online using the model number to find out which bands it supports.
Important Note:
- 5G doesn’t always use the same bands as 4G. While some overlap exists, 5G relies more on higher frequencies for superior speed.
Australian Top Phone Provider Frequencies
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 |
| ||||||||||
| Telstra | 900 MHz | 850 MHz 2100 MHz |
| ||||||||||
| Vodafone | 900 MHz | 850 MHz 900 MHz 2100 MHz (being framed as 4G) |
|
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.
Additional Information
- LTE network: Another term for 4G LTE, offering faster data speeds than regular 4G.
- Low Band: Refers to lower frequency bands (better coverage, slower speeds).
- Signal Booster: Can amplify your mobile signal if you’re struggling with reception, but check regulations before using one.
LTE vs. 4G: Technically, LTE is a more advanced version of 4G, offering faster speeds and better efficiency. But for most users, “4G” and “4G LTE” are used interchangeably.
Why 5G is Faster Than 4G?: 5G uses higher frequencies and more advanced technology to handle more data at once, resulting in significantly faster internet speeds.
By understanding mobile frequencies in Australia, you can choose a phone and plan that provides the best coverage and speed for your needs
