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nbn has successfully completed its first
trial of G.fast technology, providing
faster speeds over copper networks.
The trial, conducted in Carlton,
Melbourne, hit speeds of over 600Mbps
over 100m of existing copper wire.
G.fast technology will:
§Ŷ
Make gigabit-level aggregate bit rates
possible by adding spectrum to copper
lines. The technology is equivalent
to adding extra lanes to a highway.
Current VDLS2 lines use spectrum up
to 17MHz. G.fast widens this spectrum
to 106MHz. Anticipated amendments
will use frequencies up to 212MHz and
take bit rates to 1Gbps and beyond.
Current lab tests have hit 967Mbps on
20m of copper wire.
§Ŷ
Provide fibre to the premises (FTTP)
equivalent speeds without the
intrusive nature of an FTTP rollout.
The distance between homes and the
node, or last mile, becomes far less
important with G.fast as it is able to
achieve higher network speeds over
longer copper line distances.
§Ŷ
Be used in conjunction with the
fibre to the basement (FTTB), fibre
to the distribution point (FTTdP)
and fibre to the node (FTTN) rollouts
under the nbn.
Tony Cross, chief architect of the nbn,
announced the new technology at the
Broadband World Forum in London.
“We are very excited about the
potential that G.fast offers. It has
the potential to give us tremendous
flexibility in delivering very fast speeds
to end users in a wide range of different
environments,” he says.
“This is fantastic news because G.fast
can deliver exciting new services such
as symmetrical speeds, which will offer
new possibilities for both residential and
commercial end users. We look forward
to working alongside our global peers
to further develop our understanding of
this great technology.”
Other jurisdictions exploring G.fast
services include Taiwan, where
Chunghwa Telecom has launched
commercial G.fast services, and BT
in the UK which is in the final stages
of trials.
Retail service providers are due to
begin trials of G.fast technology in the
first half of 2016, with the launch of
commercial services anticipated in 2017.
NBNLAUNCHES FIRSTBROADBAND
SATELLITE INTOORBIT
Blasting 36,000kms into space from
Guiana Space Centre in South America,
Sky Muster is one of the world’s most-
advanced communication satellites and
will play a critical role in providing fast
broadband access to around 400,000
Australian homes and businesses.
Over the coming months the satellite
will undergo final technical testing ahead
of its commercial launch scheduled for
mid-2016. Once available, the service is
expected to provide wholesale speeds
significantly faster than those currently
used now.
nbn chief executive Bill Morrow says
the satellite will provide access to fast
broadband for the parts of Australia that
need it most.
“With the launch of Sky Muster, we’re
one step closer to changing the digital
face of our nation,” he says.
“The ability to video conference friends
and family, study courses online and visit
doctors from your lounge roomwill all be
possible in areas which have traditionally
struggled to access basic internet services
like online banking and shopping.
“Many homes and businesses in
regional and rural Australia still rely on
dial-up level speeds and have little or no
access to a commercial broadband service
– this satellite will help to close the divide
and ensure no-one gets left behind.”
TE REOPENS INCHRISTCHURCH
The Prime Minister of New Zealand,
the Rt. Hon John Key, has officially
opened TE Connectivity’s new facility
in Hillsborough, Christchurch.
The building has been custom
designed to meet very high standards
and to enhance employee health and
wellbeing with a light, airy, flexible and
futureproof fit-out.
TE Connectivity’s new building
is across the road from its former
premises, which was badly damaged in
the earthquakes.
AUSTRALIA’S FIRSTG.FAST TRIALASUCCESS
There is a product recall on CablePI
- a device that detects an electrical
fault known as a broken neutral
and has been in use in Tasmania
for almost five years. In some
circumstances, the device may
overheat causing the outer case to
distort and/or melt.
Identifying features
Serial number ending in 13.
What are the defects?
In some circumstances, the device
may overheat causing the outer case
to distort and/or melt.
What are the hazards?
The defect may cause smoke or
ignite causing a fire.
Dates available for sale
1 December 2013 to 30 June 2014.
Where the product was sold
Tasmania
Traders who sold this product
The device was distributed by
Aurora Energy Pty Ltd (Tasmanian
Networks Pty Ltd has now taken
responsibility for CablePI (Wire
Alert) devices).
Supplier
Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd
What should you do?
Consumers should immediately
stop using any device with a serial
number ending in 13. Tasmanian
Networks Pty Ltd should be
contacted on 1300 361 811 (between
9am to 5pm AEDST) to arrange
the return of the device and a
replacement.
RECALL: CABLEPI (WIREALERT)