The short version
Key points
- TPG Telecom will gain access to 2,444 Optus mobile network sites in regional Australia.
- The arrangement is expected to increase TPG’s national 4G coverage to around 1 million square kilometres.
- The expanded coverage is stated to reach 98.4% of the population.
- Customers of Vodafone, iiNet, TPG, Lebara and Felix may benefit through TPG Telecom services.
- The agreement has an initial term of 11 years, with an option for a further five years, subject to regulatory approvals.
What the agreement includes
Under the regional multi-operator core network agreement, Optus will provide TPG Telecom with access to its regional radio access network. The companies will also share spectrum in regional Australia.
TPG Telecom will gain access to 2,444 Optus mobile network sites in regional areas. The announcement says this would increase TPG’s current national 4G coverage from around 400,000 square kilometres to around 1 million square kilometres, with coverage reaching 98.4% of the population.
How the networks will operate
The two companies will continue operating their own core networks. This allows each provider to retain control of its network, services, security and resilience.
They will also continue operating their own 4G and 5G radio access networks in metropolitan areas. The regional arrangement provides access to shared network assets without requiring both companies to duplicate the same infrastructure.
Optus also said it expects to increase the number of 5G towers over the next couple of years, with the number expected to almost double. The supplied announcement does not specify how many towers this involves or the exact locations affected.
Which customers could benefit
The expanded regional access could affect customers using TPG Telecom services and brands, including Vodafone, iiNet, Lebara and Felix. The arrangement is intended to extend the company’s mobile network reach across Australia and support growth in regional and metropolitan markets.
The agreement is non-exclusive, so it does not prevent other operators from using or developing regional mobile infrastructure. It also does not mean that every customer will necessarily receive identical coverage in every location, as the details provided concern access to the regional network and the overall coverage area.
Timing and agreement length
The arrangement remains subject to relevant regulatory approvals. If approved, access is expected to become available to TPG and Optus customers in early 2025.
The initial term is 11 years, and TPG Telecom has an option to extend the agreement for a further five years. If that option is used, the arrangement could run for up to 16 years.
Why regional coverage matters
The agreement is designed to provide broader regional coverage by sharing existing network assets rather than requiring each company to build a separate network across the same areas. This may improve the reach available to TPG Telecom customers in places where coverage has previously been more limited.
The announcement does not provide the financial terms of the agreement. It also does not set out detailed coverage maps, pricing changes or specific performance guarantees for individual customers.
TechManPat’s conclusion
I think this is a very good initiative for regional Australia. I have personally experienced needing a Telstra SIM to get a connection while travelling through regional areas, so I am excited to see whether TPG Telecom customers, including Vodafone, iiNet, Lebara and Felix users, gain the promised broader access from early 2025. In my view, the agreement is significant because it can improve regional coverage without duplicating all the existing infrastructure.
This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.
