Optus and Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) have fortified their existing network partnership by agreeing to share even more mobile sites.
In 2004, the two telcos signed a binding joint-venture agreement to build and operate a joint 3G network, sharing more than 2000 base stations across Australia.
Vodafone revealed plans to add 1800 base stations to its network with 900 of them already incorporated from the 3 mobile network.
It is working to access 400 Optus base station sites and will team up with the fellow telco to build 500 new shared sites over the next four years.
Optus followed up with an announcement that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vodafone and will have access to 1000 additional mobile sites to strengthen Optus 3G and 4G services.
Last month, Optus launched its 4G network in Newcastle with coverage to expand in the coming months.
The agreement with VHA will see Optus increase the number of mobile sites on its network by 20 per cent by 2015.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Geelong, Central Coast, Gold Coast, and Canberra will benefit from the expanded network deal between the two telcos.
Optus is now also the exclusive roaming partner for VHA customers in selected regions. This will last for a period of five years.
The agreement is subject to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approval.
