Nokia has announced a significant upgrade to Optus's 5G network across regional Australia, deploying its latest generation of Habrok Massive MIMO radios and Levante baseband solutions. This move is set to enhance the network's coverage and capacity, marking a pivotal step in Optus's commitment to improving connectivity for regional communities and businesses. The deployment follows Optus's Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) RAN-sharing agreement with TPG Telecom, underscoring the strategic importance of this upgrade in meeting the growing demand for high-speed internet in less urbanized areas.

The Habrok 32 massive MIMO radios, powered by Nokia's ReefShark System-on-Chip (SoC) technology, are at the heart of this upgrade. These radios offer a 33% increase in output power, enabling Optus to deliver superior coverage and capacity while significantly reducing power consumption. The compact and lightweight design of the Habrok 32 makes it an ideal solution for both new deployments and the modernization of existing sites, ensuring that Optus can maximize the use of shared spectrum assets in RAN-sharing areas.

Energy efficiency is a key focus of this upgrade, with the Habrok radios featuring an 'Extreme Deep Sleep' power-saving mode. This innovative feature switches off unused resources, reducing energy consumption without compromising network performance. Additionally, the Levante baseband solutions, which are AI-ready, promise to halve energy consumption compared to previous generations, further enhancing the sustainability of Optus's 5G network.

Kent Wu, Optus Vice President of Access Network Strategy, Planning, and Quality, highlighted the importance of this deployment in meeting customer demands for enhanced connectivity. With Nokia's advanced technology, Optus is well-positioned to provide faster speeds and improved service quality, ensuring that regional Australians can enjoy seamless streaming, downloading, and online experiences. This partnership between Nokia and Optus represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of 5G networks in Australia, setting a new standard for performance and efficiency in regional connectivity.

Eskilstuna Municipality has filed an appeal against the Swedish Chemicals Agency's decision to grant Senior Material a permit to use methylene chloride in its production of separator film for electric vehicle batteries. The municipal board reached this decision on October 2nd, with the community building committee scheduled to address the matter during its meeting on October 3rd. The appeal represents a significant challenge to the regulatory approval process for industrial chemical use in Sweden.

The controversy centers on methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane (DCM), a chlorinated solvent that has been nationally prohibited in Sweden since 1996 due to health risks for workers handling the substance. The chemical is classified as carcinogenic and capable of causing genetic changes, while also being harmful to aquatic organisms. Senior Material received an exemption from this ban for its planned production operations, marking a notable exception to Sweden's long-standing restrictions on the substance.

Public concern over the potential environmental impact has manifested in substantial community opposition. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Senior Material's factory in the Svista industrial area on October 1st, expressing worries about future emissions of the chemical. The protest movement has gained momentum through social media campaigns and a petition that has collected over 130,000 signatures demanding the cessation of methylene chloride emissions.

Municipal officials cite multiple grounds for their appeal, particularly emphasizing the volume of methylene chloride approved—1,280 tons over a two-year period—which they describe as unreasonable given Sweden's phase-out objectives for the substance. Niklas Edmark, business director for Eskilstuna Municipality, stated that the approved quantity significantly exceeds what has been permitted in Sweden in recent years and conflicts with national sustainability goals. The municipality argues that the Chemicals Agency should have applied the precautionary principle more rigorously and expanded its assessment criteria given the scale of proposed use.