Optus network coverage across Australia as of 2026

Singtel Optus Review: Network Coverage And Performance In Australia 2026

Singtel Optus Pty Limited covers 98.5% of Australia's population with 4G service and delivers an average 4G download speed of 54.7 Mbps, making it the fastest mobile network for download performance in Australia. The carrier serves over 11 million customers across all 8 states and territories, operating as Australia's second-largest telecommunications provider, according to the Opensignal Australia Mobile Network Experience Report, October 2025.

Introduction

Australia's second-largest telecommunications provider, Singtel Optus Pty Limited, operates a 4G and 5G mobile network covering 98.5% of the Australian population and serving over 11 million customers as of 2023, with its parent company Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) holding 100% ownership since 2001, according to company records. Optus is headquartered in Macquarie Park, Sydney, and holds its original carrier licence dating to January 1991.

Optus delivers Australia's fastest 4G download speeds at 54.7 Mbps and dominates Opensignal's October 2025 award table with six outright and two shared recognitions, establishing it as the leading carrier for mobile internet performance. The network operates on 4G LTE bands 700, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, and 2600 MHz, and 5G NR on 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz, providing broad frequency coverage across urban, suburban, and expanding regional zones.

This review covers Optus's network coverage and speed test results across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane; customer service channels and satisfaction ratings; value-added features including eSIM support, international roaming, and the My Optus app; and a competitive comparison against Telstra and TPG Telecom. You will also find a structured pros and cons assessment and a FAQ section optimised for direct answers.

Compare Telstra's full carrier review and TPG Telecom's coverage and plans for alternative mobile carrier options in Australia.

Network Coverage And Performance

Optus covers 98.5% of Australia's population with combined 4G and 5G mobile service, operating 9,391 mobile sites as at 31 January 2025. Optus recorded the fastest network growth of any Australian carrier in 2024–2025, adding 190 new mobile sites in the period assessed, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Mobile Infrastructure Report 2025.

Coverage reaches all 8 states and territories, with particularly strong signal concentration across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. Optus maintains 20.1% of its mobile sites in Inner Regional Australia, slightly ahead of Telstra at 19.8%, reflecting a deliberate investment strategy in suburban and near-regional zones, according to the ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Report 2025.

4G And 5G Availability

Optus provides 4G LTE coverage to 96.6% of Australia's population using six frequency bands: 700, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, and 2600 MHz. The 5G NR rollout, which began in October 2019, operates on 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz frequencies and is currently expanding into regional Australia under a Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) agreement with TPG Telecom, signed in April 2024.

Optus targets 1,500 regional 5G sites by the end of 2028 and 2,444 5G sites by 2030. The 5G+ service, operating independently of the 4G network for increased capacity and coverage, is already live in Busselton (Western Australia), Orange (New South Wales), Toowoomba (Queensland), Ballarat (Victoria), and Launceston (Tasmania), according to the Optus Media Release published January 2025.

The 3G UMTS service was shut down on 28 October 2024, requiring all customers to use 4G-capable or 5G-capable devices with VoLTE support to maintain service, including access to the Triple Zero emergency calling system.

Speed Test Results

Optus delivers Australia's fastest average 4G download speeds at 54.7 Mbps, approximately 10 Mbps ahead of the next-ranked carrier, according to the Opensignal Australia Mobile Network Experience Report published April 2025. Upload speed averages and 5G peak performance further reinforce Optus's position as the fastest Australian mobile network for data throughput.

Optus speed test results across Australia's major cities — Opensignal April 2025

Learn more about 5G network performance in Australia for detailed technical comparisons across all carriers.

Customer Service And Support

Optus operates five primary customer service channels, including phone support, live chat, in-store assistance, the My Optus app, and social media. Customer satisfaction on ProductReview.com.au stands at 1.2 out of 5 stars from 5,238 verified reviews, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with support responsiveness and issue resolution as of 2025.

• >Phone Support: 1300 300 937 (residential) and 1300 654 937 (business) — available 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM AEST, Monday to Sunday >Live Chat: Available via optus.com.au and the My Optus app, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM AEST daily >Physical Stores: Optus World and franchise retail outlets across all major cities and regional centres, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide >My Optus App Support: In-app chat and support ticket system; the app holds a 4.2-star rating from 150,000 reviews on Google Play and a 4.5-star rating from verified App Store users >Social Media: Active support via Twitter/X (@Optus) and Facebook Messenger for escalation and complaints, with average first response times of 30–60 minutes during business hours

Optus customer service contact channels and operating hours

Compare customer support quality across Australian carriers in our comprehensive carrier support comparison guide.

Additional Services And Features

Optus provides the following value-added services and features for subscribers:

• >International Roaming: Available in over 100 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific, with day-pass roaming add-ons purchasable directly in the My Optus app before travel >My Optus App Features: Data usage tracking in real time, bill viewing and payment, plan upgrades and downgrades, customer support chat, store locator, SubHub streaming bundle management, usage alerts, and loyalty rewards tracking >eSIM Support: Optus supports eSIM activation on compatible iPhones (iPhone XS and later), Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other modern flagship devices; eSIM activation completes in-app or online within minutes without a physical SIM swap >SubHub: Optus's bundled streaming rewards program allows eligible postpaid customers to access streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Binge at discounted rates as part of their mobile plan >Satellite Connectivity: Optus collaborates with SpaceX Starlink to deliver Satellite Internet for Business customers and is actively testing direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity across Australia, with initial local trials commenced in 2024 >5G Home Internet: Available in selected metro and growing regional areas, offering fixed wireless broadband as an alternative to NBN for eligible addresses

My Optus app interface showing key self-service and management features

Discover more about eSIM technology and activation in Australia for a step-by-step walkthrough on setting up eSIM on compatible devices.

Optus Pros And Cons

Optus key advantages and disadvantages based on verified data and consumer reports

Advantages

• >Fastest 4G Download Speeds In Australia: Optus users experience average 4G download speeds of 54.7 Mbps nationally — approximately 10 Mbps faster than the next-ranked carrier — and hold six outright and two shared awards in Opensignal's October 2025 Mobile Network Experience Report >Near-Universal Population Coverage: The 98.5% population coverage figure covers all 8 Australian states and territories, with 20.1% of mobile sites deployed in Inner Regional Australia, the highest proportion among the three major carriers, according to the ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Report 2025 >Fastest Regional 5G Expansion: Optus added 190 new mobile sites in 2024–2025 — the highest growth rate among Australian carriers — and is accelerating its regional 5G rollout to 1,500 sites by 2028 under the MOCN agreement with TPG Telecom, according to the Optus Media Release January 2025 >Comprehensive App Ecosystem: The My Optus app holds a 4.2-star rating from over 150,000 Google Play reviews and over 5 million downloads, offering real-time data tracking, SubHub bundling, and eSIM management from a single interface

Disadvantages

• >Low Customer Satisfaction Scores: Optus scores 1.2 out of 5 stars from 5,238 verified reviews on ProductReview.com.au, with recurring complaints about customer service responsiveness, difficulty cancelling services, and offshore support quality, as of 2025 >History Of Network Outages: Optus experienced a nationwide outage in November 2023 affecting over 10 million customers, a Triple Zero emergency services outage in September 2025 linked to at least three deaths, and a separate regional outage in the Hunter Valley in November 2025 >$100 Million Unconscionable Conduct Penalty: In September 2025, an Australian court ordered Optus to pay a $100 million penalty after finding the company had engaged in unconscionable conduct by selling products to vulnerable customers, including those who were unemployed, homeless, or did not speak English as a first language

Optus Vs Competitors

Australia's mobile market is dominated by three carriers: Telstra, Optus, and TPG Telecom. Telstra holds the largest subscriber base and widest geographic site count at 11,767 mobile sites, while Optus leads on download speed performance and regional site growth. TPG Telecom operates 5,207 sites and has expanded coverage to 98.4% of Australians through its MOCN sharing agreement with Optus, according to the ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Report 2025.

Optus, Telstra, and TPG Telecom compared across key performance metrics — Australia 2025–2026

Optus suits users who prioritise raw data speed and a well-featured app ecosystem. Telstra suits users who need the widest rural and remote coverage and largest site count. TPG Telecom suits budget-conscious users in metro and suburban areas who benefit from its expanded MOCN coverage.

Read the detailed Optus vs Telstra comparison or explore the TPG Telecom full review for a complete side-by-side evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Optus

Does Optus Have 5G Coverage In Australia?

Optus provides 5G coverage in metro areas across all major Australian cities and is actively expanding into regional areas through its MOCN agreement with TPG Telecom. The 5G network operates on 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz frequencies, with 5G+ already live in Busselton, Orange, Toowoomba, Ballarat, and Launceston. Optus targets 2,444 regional 5G sites by 2030, according to the Optus Media Release published January 2025.

How Fast Is Optus's Mobile Internet Speed?

Optus delivers Australia's fastest average 4G download speed at 54.7 Mbps, approximately 10 Mbps ahead of its nearest competitor. Upload speeds average 13.9–15.2 Mbps across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. On 5G, Optus recorded average download speeds of 323 Mbps in peak testing, the fastest 5G network in Australia at the time of measurement, according to Ookla Speedtest H1 2021 data.

What Areas Does Optus Cover In Australia?

Optus covers 98.5% of Australia's population across all 8 states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory. The carrier operates 9,391 mobile sites as at January 2025, with 20.1% of sites in Inner Regional Australia. Coverage is strongest in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, according to the ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Report 2025.

How Do I Contact Optus Customer Service?

Optus customer service is reachable by phone on 1300 300 937 (residential) or 1300 654 937 (business), available 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM AEST, Monday to Sunday. Customers also contact Optus via live chat on optus.com.au, through the My Optus app, at physical Optus World retail stores, or via social media support on Facebook Messenger and Twitter/X (@Optus).

Does Optus Support eSIM?

Optus supports eSIM activation on compatible devices including iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S22 series and newer, and Google Pixel 3 and newer. eSIM activation completes fully online or through the My Optus app without requiring a physical SIM card visit to a store. Dual SIM setups using a physical SIM and eSIM simultaneously are supported on eligible handsets.

What Countries Does Optus Roaming Cover?

Optus international roaming covers over 100 countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific. Major destinations include the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, and France. Day-pass roaming add-ons are purchasable directly through the My Optus app before departure, enabling data, calls, and SMS access using the customer's existing Australian number.

How Does Optus Compare To Telstra?

Optus delivers faster average 4G download speeds at 54.7 Mbps versus Telstra's approximately 44 Mbps, but Telstra holds a larger geographic site count with 11,767 sites versus Optus's 9,391 sites. Telstra covers a higher proportion of remote and outback Australia, making it the preferred choice for users in rural or very remote locations. Optus offers a faster data experience in metro and suburban areas, according to Opensignal Australia Mobile Network Experience Report October 2025 and the ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Report 2025.

What Is The Best Optus Feature?

Optus's strongest feature is its market-leading 4G download speed of 54.7 Mbps, the fastest among all Australian mobile carriers as confirmed by six outright awards in the Opensignal October 2025 Mobile Network Experience Report. The My Optus app, rated 4.2 stars from 150,000 Google Play reviews, and the SubHub streaming bundle add significant value for postpaid subscribers who want a unified content and connectivity experience.

Conclusion

Optus is Australia's fastest 4G network at 54.7 Mbps with 98.5% population coverage, best suited to metro and suburban users who prioritise data speed, app convenience, and streaming value through SubHub.

Explore more mobile carrier options through our complete Australia carrier directory or learn how to choose the right carrier for your needs.

Last Updated: March 13, 2026

Sources:

1. >Opensignal, Australia Mobile Network Experience Report, October 2025 >Opensignal, Australia Mobile Network Experience Report, April 2025 >Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Mobile Infrastructure Report 2025 >ProductReview.com.au, Optus Mobile Consumer Reviews, 2025 >Optus Media Release, Regional 5G Fast-Track Rollout, January 2025 >Singtel Optus Pty Limited Official Website

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