Fixed Wireless Fact Sheet
How does fixed wireless work?
Australians who receive NBN's fixed wireless will be among the fi rst to experience the benefi ts of high speed broadband over the NBN. The fixed wireless network is expected to be completed by 2015, fi ve years ahead of the expected completion of the fi bre network, and it will serve around four per cent of the population or approximately 500,000 premises including farms, homes and businesses. People in fixed wireless areas are expected to be able to sign up with internet service providers to use the NBN from the middle of 2012.
NBN's fixed wireless network, which uses advanced technology commonly referred to as LTE or 4G, is engineered to deliver services to a fixed number of premises within each coverage area.
This means that the bandwidth per household is designed to be more consistent than mobile wireless, even in peak times of use.
Unlike a mobile wireless service where speeds can be affected by the number of people moving into and out of the area, the speed available in a fixed wireless network is designed to remain relatively steady.
Fixed Wireless
Single type of device with a fixed number of connections operating at a fixed cell boundary
Mobile Wireless
Variable numbers and types of devices, operating at variable cell boundaries
While NBN Co's high-quality fixed wireless service is not a mobile service, it will use cellular technology to transmit signals to and from a small antenna fixed on the outside of a home or business, which is pointed directly towards the fixed wireless facility. NBN Co has designed each fixed wireless facility to serve a set number of premises, which permits greater consistency in the speed and quality of service that can be delivered to each home and business receiving the fixed wireless service. The actual speed and quality of that service will depend on factors including the in-premises connection and equipment, plans offered by internet service providers and how the internet service provider designs its network.
Building NBN Co's fixed wireless network
In order to provide access to reliable high speed broadband for all Australians, NBN Co works in consultation with local, state and federal governments to determine the most efficient and effective way to rollout the fixed wireless network. A key consideration in these decisions is the optimal network design to ensure all Australians have access to high speed broadband in the most prudent and cost effective way. NBN Co engineers take into account factors such as population density, geography and other network specific considerations when defi ning roll out plans to ensure the NBN is delivered in the most sensible and practical manner.
Planning for the fixed wireless rollout is now underway and consultations have begun with local authorities and communities. To build the network, NBN Co will require the use of around 2300 sites nationwide with the priority on using existing telecommunications structures wherever possible. Only where there is a lack of suitable, available infrastructure, NBN Co will establish new sites to enable the delivery of consistent, high quality broadband. This would generally mean lodging a development application with the relevant authority and engaging with the local community.
Fixed wireless comparison
NBN Co's fixed wireless network is designed to offer internet service providers with wholesale access speeds of up to 12Mbps*. This is comparable, and in some cases better, than that available in many urban areas that currently receive ADSL 2+ services. 12Mbps is an initial speed level, and NBN Co is currently planning for faster speeds to become available over the fixed wireless service at a later stage.
Fixed wireless to your premises
Our fixed wireless services are delivered by radio communications via antennas that transmit a signal direct to a small outdoor antenna attached to the premises.
The antenna on the outside of a home will be connected by a cable running through the wall to the Network Termination Device which will be located within the home. Generally your telecommunications or internet service provider will assist you on the best means of connecting your computer, TV or WiFi Router to our Network Termination Device. That device sits within the house, and is hardwired to the outdoor antenna pointed at a fixed wireless site.
Fixed wireless equipment
Getting Connected
In fixed wireless areas, NBN Co will be providing a broadband service only. The copper phone line will remain in place to provide a telephone service, however internet service providers that sell the NBN Co fixed wireless service may choose to offer their customers voice-over-broadband products in those areas as an alternative to telephone services over the copper phone line.
