nbn has achieved higher gigabit (Gbps) speeds in a Fixed Wireless demonstration conducted in Ballarat, Victoria.
Using its 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz spectrum, the company continues to demonstrate its focus on providing technology to meet today’s demands while ensuring a strong path of development and upgrades to meet Australia’s future data demands.
nbn achieved the 1.1Gbps downstream and 165Mbps upstream speeds by using Carrier Aggregation technology that fused seven carriers in the 3.4GHz spectrum band and four carriers in the 2.3GHz spectrum band.
As part of the demonstration nbn also delivered trial peak speeds of 400Mbps/55Mbps, 250Mbps/50Mbps and 100/40Mbps, all delivered using a range of carriers in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz spectrum bands.
The 1.1Gbps speed was achieved by bonding together three next generation Wireless Network Termination Devices (WNTDs) – the antennae located on the roof of a nearby school – while the other speeds were all achieved via a single WNTD.
The high speed trial was conducted with Fixed Wireless technology partner Ericsson along with NetComm Wireless and Qualcomm, while the speed tests were conducted with technology from Mill Software.
In order to conduct the trial nbn used a spare operating sector on an established nbn Fixed Wireless tower and installed additional radio equipment.
nbn has already committed to launching a new nbn100 Fixed Wireless product aimed at the regional business segment in 2018.
Bill Morrow, CEO of nbn said, “Our ability to deliver gigabit speeds on Fixed Wireless demonstrates our continued focus on identifying and implementing tech advancements as and when they are needed, across all technologies.
“It’s particularly exciting to be able to reaffirm our commitment to delivering a great experience to the 600,000 premises in regional Australia that will be served by the Fixed Wireless network.
“Our Fixed Wireless network has already been recognised as a world leader and we are determined to maintain that position by making sure regional Australians get access to the same high speed broadband available in our cities.
“This also underlines the importance of nbn’s spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands in allowing high speed services to Australians.”
Jack Archer, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, said, “Plenty of Australians would love the chance to move away from the big cities and have an improved quality of life in regional Australia.
“However, one of the main impediments to doing this is being able to stay connected to your workplace unless you have access to good quality broadband.
“That’s why it is great to see nbn trialling higher speed services on its Fixed Wireless network – this will help make the regional dream possible in the future for a lot more Australians in a lot more places.”
