Optus 3x Carrier Aggregation achieves mobile broadband speeds of 317Mbps

Optus has turned on 3x Carrier Aggregation in select Newcastle suburbs ahead of local Category 9 smartphone availability. In tests, Optus says it has used this technology to achieve real world download speeds of 317Mbps.

3x Carrier Aggregation allows compatible Category 9 devices to simultaneously connect to three cellular frequencies, facilitating faster download speeds. Samsung's Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ will be the first Category 9 smartphones available in Australia.

Newcastle suburbs Mayfield, Mayfield West and Lambton are the first areas in Australia to support Optus' 3x Carrier Aggregation. Optus plans to deploy the technology to Melbourne's CBD in early September, Sydney's CBD early next year, and Brisbane and Adelaide CBDs from mid-2016.

Optus' announcement follows Telstra's own 3x Carrier Aggregation news, where the telco said the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will be able to achieve speeds of up to 450Mbps in select 4GX enabled areas.

In addition, Telstra will be releasing a Netgear-made Category 9 mobile hotspot before the end of the year. A Telstra spokesperson told CyberShack that it will make more information available in the coming weeks.