Telstra has no firm plan for NT 5G rollout

Territorians will still have to wait for the rollout of 5G technology.

TERRITORIANS will continue to wait for the rollout of 5G technology, with no clear timetable planned for delivery of the new-generation communications service into the Top End.

With 75 per cent of Australians covered – including 200 cities and 3200 suburbs – the Northern Territory is still in the rollout queue, which Telstra has pledged to complete by 2025.

Optus also has no immediate plans to come to Darwin, its website advising potential 5G customers to “check back soon”.

Telstra’s website promises downloads that take “seconds, not minutes, seamless streaming, real-time gaming and a future where devices are interconnected and immersive experiences are the norm”.

Telstra’s website also reminds that 2G brought phone users SMS and picture messaging, 3G enhanced mobile internet and 4G improved streaming and sharing.

Telstra NT regional general manager Nic Danks said Telstra’s 5G rollout was progressing well but acknowledged there was no firm plan for a Territory rollout.

“Telstra, along with other mobile carriers, are progressively rolling out 5G coverage across Australia and we have been working to make 5G available to as many Australians as possible, including those in the NT,” he said.

“Across Australia there are some challenges to rolling out 5G in different places. However, we’ve publicly committed to deliver Telstra 5G to approximately 95 per cent of the Australian population coverage by financial year 2025.

“We’ll definitely have more to say in this space in the near future and we’ll make sure residents in Darwin, Alice Springs and the NT are kept up to date.”

A spokesman for federal Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said the infrastructure was in place for 5G to roll out in the Territory.

“Our role is to provide spectrum for 5G and the legislative support for the deployment of 5G infrastructure,” the spokesman said.

“That’s all there and the next auction for low-band spectrum will commence shortly.

“So the timing of the introduction of 5G in the NT will reflect commercial decisions by the telcos.”

Darwin is the only Australian capital without 5G, with Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Hobart already connected. In addition, 5G has also been activated in Launceston in Tasmania and the Gold Coast and Toowoomba in Queensland.

Mr Fletcher’s spokesman said the rollout was a matter for the telcos and not under commonwealth control.

“They’ll roll out when they believe it’s the right time,” he said.