Optus and Nokia Demonstrate Asymmetric 5G Channel
A world-first 25MHz downlink configuration in 900MHz spectrum has been shown on a commercial OPPO smartphone in live testing in the ACT.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Optus and Nokia have demonstrated a world-first asymmetric 5G configuration with a 25MHz downlink and 20MHz uplink in the 900MHz band. In live-network testing in the ACT, the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max delivered download speeds up to 91 per cent faster outdoors and 51 per cent faster indoors than the existing configuration.
Why it matters
The demonstration aims to make better use of low-band spectrum, which travels further and reaches deeper inside buildings. Low-band spectrum is particularly important in Australia for maintaining connectivity across regional areas and delivering indoor mobile performance.
The asymmetric setup pairs a 25MHz downlink with a 20MHz uplink in the 900MHz band, using a new MediaTek chipset alongside OPPO smartphone support. Testing results were reported for the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max, but the source does not disclose the number of sites or the conditions under which the speed gains were measured.
The players
Optus
Optus is one of Australia's major mobile network operators, and it owns the 900MHz spectrum used in the demonstration.
Nokia
Nokia is a Finnish telecommunications equipment maker that worked with Optus on the network innovation behind the asymmetric 5G configuration.
The details
Optus and Nokia combined network innovation with a new MediaTek chipset and commercial OPPO smartphone support to enable a phone to use Optus' full 25MHz downlink channel for the first time. The demonstration uses existing Optus 900MHz spectrum rather than newly acquired airwaves.
Timeline
11 November 2026: Optus and Nokia announced the 25MHz 5G downlink breakthrough.
The Tech Race
The breakthrough extends Australia's use of low-band 900MHz 5G spectrum, which carries signals further and into buildings more effectively than higher-frequency bands. It positions Optus and its equipment partners to improve coverage in regional areas where low-band capacity matters most.
If the configuration reaches commercial networks, phones on compatible hardware could achieve faster downloads indoors and outdoors, particularly where low-band coverage is relied on. Customers will need a compatible handset such as the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max to benefit from the new channel.
The takeaway
Better use of low-band spectrum could make mobile connections more reliable indoors and in regional Australia. Check that your phone supports the latest 5G chipsets before expecting faster speeds from future network upgrades.
Further reading
Explore more Telecommunications coverage on the mobile network technologies shaping Australian connectivity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ITWire.
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