Easy guide to Mobile Network Frequencies and Bands in Australia

IoT / Smart, Phones

The Easy Guide

Australia’s mobile networks are primarily operated by three major carriers: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Each carrier uses a variety of frequencies and bands for their 4G and 5G networks.

4G/LTE Networks

  • Telstra:
    • 700 MHz (Band 28)
    • 900 MHz (Band 8)
    • 1800 MHz (Band 3)
    • 2100 MHz (Band 1)
    • 2600 MHz (Band 7)
  • Optus:
    • 700 MHz (Band 28)
    • 1800 MHz (Band 3)
    • 2100 MHz (Band 1)
    • 2300 MHz (Band 40)
    • 2600 MHz (Band 7)
  • Vodafone:
    • 700 MHz (Band 28)
    • 850 MHz (Band 5)
    • 1800 MHz (Band 3)
    • 2100 MHz (Band 1)
    • 2600 MHz (Band 7)

5G Networks

  • Telstra:
    • 850 MHz (n5)
    • 3500 MHz (n78)
    • 26 GHz (n258)
  • Optus:
    • 2100 MHz (n1)
    • 2300 MHz (n40)
    • 3500 MHz (n78)
    • 26 GHz (n258)
  • Vodafone:
    • 700 MHz (n28)
    • 850 MHz (n5)
    • 1800 MHz (n3)
    • 3500 MHz (n78)
    • 26 GHz (n258)

Key Points to Remember

  • 2G networks have been completely phased out in Australia since 2018.
  • 3G networks have been phased out in Australia since the end of October 2024.
  • 4G/LTE networks are widely used for both data and voice services (VoLTE).
  • 5G networks are being rapidly expanded, offering higher speeds and lower latency.

Tips for Using Imported Devices

  • Ensure your device supports the specific bands used by your carrier.
  • Check the device specifications for compatibility with Australian frequencies.
  • Be aware that rural and urban areas might use different frequencies, so comprehensive band support is beneficial.

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The Detailed & Technical Guide

The following details the frequencies and bands each carrier is licensed to use in Australia. Note that not every individual cell tower will have the full complement of frequencies installed. For information on individual cell towers in a given area, you can enter the location on the RFNSA site.

700 MHz Band (b28/n28) FDD

  • Frequency Range: 703–748 MHz UL / 758–803 MHz DL
  • Optus: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (703-713 MHz paired with 758-768 MHz)
  • Telstra: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (713-733 MHz paired with 768-788 MHz)
  • Vodafone: 2×15 MHz bandwidth (733-748 MHz paired with 788-803 MHz)
  • Coverage: Australia-wide
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 31/Dec/2029

850 MHz Band Extension (b26/n26) FDD

  • Frequency Range: 814–845 MHz UL / 859–890 MHz DL
  • Telstra: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (814-824 MHz paired with 859-869 MHz)
  • Coverage: Australia-wide
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 30/Jun/2044
  • Note: b26/n26 is an extension to the original b5/n5 band. b26/n26 includes b5/n5 plus additional bandwidth, whereas b5/n5 is a subset of b26/n26.

850 MHz Band (b5/n5) FDD

  • Frequency Range: 824–845 MHz UL / 869–890 MHz DL
  • Optus: 2×1 MHz bandwidth (824-825 MHz paired with 869-870 MHz)
  • Vodafone: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (825-835 MHz paired with 870-880 MHz)
  • Telstra: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (835-845 MHz paired with 880-890 MHz)
  • Coverage: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth
  • Optus: 2×1 MHz bandwidth (824-825 MHz paired with 869-870 MHz)
  • Vodafone: 2×5 MHz bandwidth (825-830 MHz paired with 870-875 MHz)
  • Telstra: 2×15 MHz bandwidth (830-845 MHz paired with 875-890 MHz)
  • Coverage: The rest of Australia
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 17/Jun/2028
  • Note: This relates to a planned spectrum downshift. Allocated to Optus but too small to be usable by Optus.

900 MHz Band (b8/n8) FDD

  • Frequency Range: 890–915 MHz UL / 935–960 MHz DL
  • Optus: 2×25 MHz bandwidth (890-915 MHz paired with 935–960 MHz)
  • Coverage: Australia-wide
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 30/Jun/2044

1800 MHz Band (b3/n3) FDD

  • Frequency Range: 1710–1785 MHz UL / 1805–1880 MHz DL
  • Optus: 15 MHz
  • Telstra: 15 MHz
  • Vodafone: 30 MHz
  • Coverage: Sydney, Melbourne
  • Optus: 15 MHz
  • Telstra: 20 MHz
  • Vodafone: 25 MHz
  • Coverage: Brisbane, Perth
  • Optus: 20 MHz
  • Telstra: 20 MHz
  • Vodafone: 35 MHz
  • Coverage: Canberra
  • Optus: 15 MHz
  • Telstra: 20 MHz
  • Vodafone: 30 MHz
  • Coverage: Adelaide
  • Optus: 20 MHz to 25 MHz depending on area
  • Telstra: 35 MHz to 40 MHz depending on area
  • Vodafone: 10 MHz to 20 MHz depending on area
  • Coverage: Tasmania, Darwin, Regional WA, SA, VIC, NSW & QLD
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 17/Jun/2028
  • Note: For a clickable map of the geographical areas covered, see ACMA and select Filter > Choose a spectrum band > 1800 MHz Band [lower].

2100 MHz Band (b1/n1) FDD

  • Frequency Range: 1920–1980 MHz UL / 2110–2170 MHz DL
  • Vodafone: 2×15 MHz bandwidth (1920-1935 MHz paired with 2110-2125 MHz)
  • Telstra: 2×5 MHz bandwidth (1935-1940 MHz paired with 2125-2130 MHz)
  • Optus: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (1940-1960 MHz paired with 2130-2150 MHz)
  • Telstra: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (1960-1970 MHz paired with 2150-2160 MHz)
  • Vodafone: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (1970-1980 MHz paired with 2160-2170 MHz)
  • Coverage: Sydney & Melbourne
  • Telstra: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (1920-1940 MHz paired with 2110-2130 MHz)
  • Optus: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (1940-1960 MHz paired with 2130-2150 MHz)
  • Vodafone: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (1960-1980 MHz paired with 2150-2170 MHz)
  • Coverage: Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin & Hobart
  • Telstra: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (1920-1940 MHz paired with 2110-2130 MHz)
  • Optus: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (1940-1960 MHz paired with 2130-2150 MHz)
  • Telstra: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (1960-1970 MHz paired with 2150-2160 MHz)
  • Vodafone: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (1970-1980 MHz paired with 2160-2170 MHz)
  • Coverage: Canberra
  • Optus: 2×5 MHz bandwidth (1960-1965 MHz paired with 2150-2155 MHz)
  • Telstra: 2×10 MHz bandwidth (1965-1975 MHz paired with 2155-2165 MHz)
  • Vodafone: 2×5 MHz bandwidth (1975-1980 MHz paired with 2165-2170 MHz)
  • Coverage: Regional QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, SA & WA
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 11/Oct/2032
  • Note: For a clickable map of the geographical areas covered, see ACMA and select Filter > Choose a spectrum band > 2 GHz Band [lower].

2300 MHz Band (b40/n40) TDD

  • Frequency Range: 2302–2400 MHz
  • Optus: 98 MHz bandwidth (2302-2400 MHz)
  • Coverage: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth
  • Optus: 70 MHz bandwidth (2330-2400 MHz)
  • Coverage: Canberra
  • Note: Limited to areas not used by NBN Fixed Wireless.
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 24/Jul/2030

2600 MHz Band (b7/n7) FDD

  • Frequency Range: 2500–2570 MHz UL / 2620–2690 MHz DL
  • Telstra: 2×50 MHz bandwidth (2500-2550 MHz paired with 2620-2670 MHz)
  • Optus: 2×20 MHz bandwidth (2550-2570 MHz paired with 2670-2690 MHz)
  • Coverage: Australia-wide
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 30/Sep/2029

3500 MHz Band (n78) TDD

  • Frequency Range: 3300–3800 MHz
  • Optus: 72 MHz
  • Vodafone: 90 MHz + 30 MHz = 120 MHz
  • Telstra: 63 MHz + 70 MHz = 133 MHz
  • Coverage: Adelaide
  • Optus: 67.5 MHz
  • Vodafone: 120 MHz
  • Telstra: 62.5 MHz + 75 MHz = 137.5 MHz
  • Coverage: Brisbane
  • Optus: 67.5 MHz
  • Vodafone: 120 MHz
  • Telstra: 58 MHz + 75 MHz = 133 MHz
  • Coverage: Canberra
  • Optus: 35 MHz
  • Vodafone: 40 MHz + 50 MHz = 90 MHz
  • Telstra: 90 MHz + 50 MHz = 140 MHz
  • Coverage: Hobart
  • Optus: 100 MHz
  • Vodafone: 65 MHz + 20 MHz = 85 MHz
  • Telstra: 60 MHz + 80 MHz = 140 MHz
  • Coverage: Melbourne
  • Optus: 67.5 MHz
  • Vodafone: 120 MHz
  • Telstra: 62.5 MHz + 75 MHz = 137.5 MHz
  • Coverage: Perth
  • Optus: 100 MHz
  • Vodafone: 65 MHz + 20 MHz = 85 MHz
  • Telstra: 60 MHz + 80 MHz = 140 MHz
  • Coverage: Sydney
  • Note: For a clickable map of the geographical areas covered, see ACMA and select Filter > Choose a spectrum band > 3.4 GHz Band [lower].
  • Spectrum Licensed Until: 13/Dec/2030 or 18/Jan/2044

26 GHz Band (n258) TDD

  • Frequency Range: 25.1–27.5 GHz
  • Telstra: 1000 MHz bandwidth in 27 geographical areas
  • Optus: 800 MHz bandwidth in 24 geographical areas, 600 MHz in 2 areas, 200 MHz in 1 area
  • Vodafone: 600 MHz bandwidth in 24 geographical areas, 300 MHz in 6 areas, 100 MHz in 1 area

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