nbn trials of Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 3.1 technology on its Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) network have achieved downstream speeds of 1Gbps – on par with the top speed available for retailers on the nbn Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network.
The trial delivered upstream speeds of 100 Mbps – more than double the current highest 40 Mbps upload retail speed available on HFC retail services over the nbn network.
“DOCSIS 3.1 is going to be able to provide fantastic gigabit potential for end users – just as our Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network does currently,” Bill Morrow, CEO at nbn, said.
“The best news is that we will be able to bring Gigabit broadband to these premises far more quickly, cost effectively and with less disruption to end users than alternate technologies in these busy urban areas.”
Further lab testing of DOCSIS 3.1 is planned for in August 2017, then in-field trials in December, ahead of a potential commercial launch of DOCSIS 3.1 services in 2018.
If successful, nbn will be one of the first operators outside of the US to commercially launch DOCSIS 3.1 technology as an upgrade path for the HFC network and able to deliver Gigabit+ downstream wholesale speeds.
