Operators Rally to Deliver Grand Slam 5G Performance During the Australian Open

The 2026 Australian Open reset global records for Grand Slam attendance, packing 1.36 million fans into Melbourne Park’s three stadiums and over 35 courts between Jan. 12 and Feb 1. This record-breaking turnout, fueled by 220,000 “Opening Week” visitors within the 27-hectare venue, created a stress test for mobile infrastructure. This report examines the performance of Australia’s 5G networks under heavy demand during the tournament period, using crowdsourced performance metrics and background signal scan data collected from the pre-event buildup, starting Jan. 1, through the tournament’s conclusion.

Key takeaways

• Optus led 5G coverage at the 2026 Australian Open with an average signal strength of -79 dBm. While Telstra and Vodafone maintained reliable connectivity with identical average signal strengths of -84 dBm, Optus provided a higher performance buffer for fans navigating the data-heavy area. 
• Strategic spectrum allocation proved decisive. Optus and Telstra both exceeded median download speed of 220 Mbps, with speeds of 280.35 Mbps and 224.97 Mbps, respectively. This increase was largely attributable to C-Band usage, which accounted for approximately half of their connection samples in Melbourne. Vodafone trailed at 57.47 Mbps, as over half of its connections sat on lower mid-band and only 17.5% on C-band, limiting throughput during peak demand.

Optus reported a stronger 5G Signal Strength at the Australian Open 2026

Using data from Speedtest Insights™, collected from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, 2026, we analyzed the 5G experience of Australian Open visitors by measuring the average Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). RSRP indicates the signal strength received by a mobile device. An RSRP above -80 dBm signifies excellent coverage. Values between -80 dBm and -90 dBm reflect good coverage, while those from -90 dBm to -100 dBm are considered fair. Anything below this range may result in slower downloads and network drops. RSRQ assesses the quality of the received reference signal. A value of -10 dB or higher denotes excellent network quality, whereas -10 dB to -15 dB indicates good quality. Values below -15 dB suggest poor performance or no signal.

The plots below compare 5G signal strength across mobile operators, aggregated from January 1st through the final day of the event on February 1st. Optus had good to excellent 5G coverage in most locations within Melbourne Park, with signal strength at -90 dBm or stronger. In contrast, Telstra and Vodafone had significantly weaker 5G signal strength, with a larger portion at -90 dBm or lower.

All three operators reported a reasonable average 5G signal strength within Melbourne Park throughout the tournament. Optus established a clear lead with an average 5G RSRP of -79 dBm. This 5 dB advantage over its rivals corresponds to approximately triple the received signal power, providing users with a greater buffer against interference. Meanwhile, Telstra and Vodafone recorded identical averages of -84 dBm. Although trailing Optus, this signal level remains well within the “good” range for 5G connectivity, indicating a robust baseline that can deliver a seamless user experience despite heavy network load.

An analysis of average 5G signal quality (RSRQ) reveals that Optus and Vodafone achieved similar results, with both averaging -11 dB. For Vodafone, achieving parity with the leader despite lower signal strength values indicates highly effective interference mitigation. Telstra recorded a slightly lower average of -12 dB.

5G spectrum depth is the key performance differentiator at this year’s Australian Grand Slam 

Analysis of Speedtest Intelligence® data shows both Optus and Telstra 5G networks achieved median download speeds exceeding 220 Mbps during the reported period. Optus delivered the highest median download speed at Melbourne Park this year, recording 280.35 Mbps—approximately 25% faster than Telstra—and led upload performance at 74.43 Mbps. Telstra recorded a median download speed of 224.97 Mbps, indicating reliable throughput for high-demand applications. In contrast, Vodafone recorded a median download speed of 57.47 Mbps, significantly lower than that of the market leaders.

These performance disparities correlate directly with 5G spectrum utilization strategies used by each operator. Analysis of Speedtest data collected across Melbourne during the same period provides insight into the spectrum bands used by operators. Both Telstra and Optus heavily leveraged C-band frequencies, with 52.3% and 49.9% of their samples from the C-band, respectively. Optus also utilized its lower mid-band more than Telstra. This prioritization of midband frequencies provided the bandwidth needed to sustain speeds above 280 Mbps during the Grand Slam event. Conversely, Vodafone relied primarily on lower mid-band spectrum, which accounted for 53.5% of its connections, compared with just 17.5% on C-Band. By utilizing these lower mid-band channels, Vodafone likely maintained better connectivity consistency but lacked the spectral capacity to match the C-Band-driven throughput of its competitors.

The 2026 Australian Open served as a proving ground for 5G infrastructure, confirming that spectrum capacity is a key driver of performance in high-density environments. As digital demands at major sporting events continue to escalate, the ability to leverage these mid-band frequencies will remain the critical differentiator between mere coverage and true network leadership.

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