NBN Co is promoting its latest fixed-wireless speed test result, clocking at 1.1Gbps downstream and 165Mbps on the uplink, in a trial aggregating seven 20MHz carriers in the 3.4GHz spectrum and four in 2.3GHz.
The announcement came yesterday as the network builder also prepared to launch a commercial 100/40Mbps wholesale fixed-wireless broadband product in 2018 – and as Vodafone pushes for an investigation of whether NBN Co’s 3.4GHz spectrum should be reallocated for 5G mobile usage.
NBN Co conducted its superfast trial with fixed-wireless tech partner Ericsson, along with Netcomm Wireless and Qualcomm. It used a spare operating sector on an existing NBN fixed-wireless tower at Ballarat, with some additional radio hardware.
NBN Co CEO Bill Morrow said NBN is committed to launching the new commercial fixed-wireless product, aimed at the regional business segment, in 2018.
“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,” Morrow said.
“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.
“This also underlines the importance of NBN’s spectrum in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands in allowing high speed services to Australians.”
Independent communications analyst Paul Budde, however, described the announcement and demonstration as a “big yawn”.
“Obviously the company thinks it needs to produce some good news itself,” Budde told CDN. “Performance can only be tested in real-life situations, where customers are scattered around these towers. Some might get great service, others less.”
