NetComm Wireless And Ericsson Demonstrate Next-Generation nbn(TM) Fixed Wireless

SYDNEY, April 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC), nbn and Ericsson have completed a series of live LTE Fixed Wireless trials that displayed the potential upgrade path to 1 gigabit per second (1 Gbps) broadband speeds for regional Australian homes and businesses on the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network.

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The joint trials are the first to demonstrate a range of superfast 1 Gbps broadband speed tiers that were successfully delivered on a Fixed Wireless network. The trial reached a maximum speed of 1 Gbps downstream; and in separate device trials achieved 400/55 Mbps, 250/50 Mbps and 100/40 Mbps speeds. These results displayed the next potential steps for nbn™ Fixed Wireless which will be delivered to the regional market as a fully managed nbn 100 Fixed Wireless commercial product in 2018 using Ericsson network technology and the latest generation of Wireless Network Termination Devices (WNTDs) engineered by NetComm Wireless.

The nbn™ Fixed Wireless network differs from a mobile network in that it establishes a direct connection between the WNTD at the premises and Ericsson infrastructure to enhance capacity and provide a consistent level of broadband speed and performance, even in peak data demand periods.

The nbn™ Fixed Wireless network has the capacity to support the future digital demands of regional Australia using Ericsson infrastructure, NetComm Wireless' WNTDs and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X16 LTE modems to optimise transmission bandwidth and the quality of experience for end users as demand for higher speed services continues to grow.

"The nbn™ Fixed Wireless network developed from a starting position of 12Mbps download all the way to 50Mbps today. Potential speeds of 1Gbps for our rural and regional customers is beyond what would have been imagined five years ago. It is something that truly breaks down the digital divide between Australia's spread out regional areas and city areas, and it is pleasing to see what the hard work has yielded for Fixed Wireless," said Roy Brown, Head of Wireless, nbn.

"nbn has demonstrated record broadband speeds using Fixed Wireless devices engineered by NetComm Wireless, and will launch its 100Mbps Fixed Wireless product as early as next year. This is a fantastic outcome for regional Australia and we are pleased to continue the advancement of nbn's world-leading Fixed Wireless network in partnership with Ericsson," said Ken Sheridan, CEO, NetComm Wireless.

"Today we demonstrated Gigabit LTE broadband using nbn's TDD spectrum to deliver increased data rates to Fixed Wireless subscribers. Rural and regional premises will benefit from the known performance that comes from edge network devices specially engineered to extend the network's trusted zone and deliver a dependable RF link path between the base station and our device - so nothing is left to chance," said Steve Collins, Chief Technology Officer, NetComm Wireless.  

nbn™ Fixed Wireless delivers specific capacity to premises in precise coverage areas, and certainty in broadband performance is achieved with Ericsson network technology and NetComm Wireless' WNTDs to ensure guaranteed throughput, committed bandwidth, network-grade diagnostics, quality of service and durability in harsh environmental conditions. 

Specifically engineered to maximize cell performance and increase spectral efficiency, NetComm Wireless' WNTD integrates a high gain directional panel antenna using advanced MIMO technology. The devices feature advanced carrier aggregation capabilities for increased overall transmission bandwidth and network capacity. The NetComm Wireless Indoor Unit is designed to power the WNTD over Ethernet and deliver a high-speed broadband connection to the premises.

View the video:
https://youtu.be/mMy-PAJ9OGs

About NetComm Wireless

NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC) is a leading developer of Fixed Wireless broadband, wireless M2M/Industrial IoT and Fibre and Cable to the distribution point (FTTdp / CTTdp) technologies that underpin an increasingly connected world. Our Listen. Innovate. Solve. methodology supports the unique requirements of leading telecommunications carriers, core network providers, system integrators, government and enterprise customers worldwide. For over 35 years, NetComm Wireless has engineered new generations of world first data communication products and is now a globally recognised communications technology innovator. Headquartered in Sydney (Australia), NetComm Wireless has offices in the US, Europe/UK, New Zealand and Japan. Visit: www.netcommwireless.com.

Note to editors:

• nbn (the company) was established on 9 April, 2009 to design, build and operate Australia's new broadband network.
• nbn today announced the results of its nbn™ Fixed Wireless trial: http://www.netcommwireless.com/press-release/nbn-hits-record-1gbps-speeds-fixed-wireless-trial
• The nbn™ Fixed Wireless demonstration reached peak speeds of 1100.41 Mbps download and 165.60 upload.
• The worldwide fixed wireless broadband market will grow from 41 million in 2016 to 151 million in 2022, at a CAGR of 30%, according to ABI Research.