5G mmWave extended to 14 km in nbn field trials

Ericsson, NBN Co and Qualcomm Technologies have successfully conducted live field trials of 5G millimetre wave (mmWave) technology in parts of the nbn Fixed Wireless network, achieving wholesale download speeds exceeding 1 Gbps and upload speeds over 100 Mbps at approximately 14 km.

This latest milestone marks a significant step forward in the delivery of high-speed broadband over long distances, extending the reach of ultrafast connectivity to homes and businesses in rural and remote areas. A 14 km mmWave Fixed Wireless range pushes the boundaries of 5G mmWave technology, demonstrating the potential to engineer networks that can provide ultrafast connectivity in hard-to-reach areas such as regional and remote Australia.

The field trials were conducted with 400 MHz of 28 GHz (n257) bandwidth using Ericsson’s commercial software and hardware, including its RAN Processor 6651 and mmWave antenna integrated radio AIR 5322, and Qualcomm’s Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) test platform device. NBN Co has already deployed 5G mmWave technology to approximately 850 of the 2300 network sites within its Fixed Wireless network, with around 10,000 premises actively using mmWave today — and this number is only expected to grow.

While the higher speed and extended range capabilities remain in the testing phase for now, this breakthrough will enable enhanced broadband connectivity, supporting critical applications such as remote work, telehealth and digital education. Expanding high-speed coverage will also enable greater productivity and opportunities for innovation for businesses and industries in regional Australia.

“This achievement marks a significant step forward in the evolution of 5G mmWave, demonstrating its ability to deliver ultrafast connectivity over much greater distances than previously thought possible,” said Emilio Romeo, Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand. “Extending mmWave to 14 km with gigabit speeds reinforces its potential as a key technology for enhancing Fixed Wireless Access broadband in regional and rural areas.”

Gavin Williams, Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote at NBN Co, added, “By working with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies to push mmWave beyond previous limitations, we are taking important steps towards improving broadband access for homes and businesses that rely on fixed wireless. This milestone supports our broader network investment strategy to deliver better digital connectivity to more Australians, ensuring they have access to fast, reliable broadband no matter where they live.”

Gautam Sheoran, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Broadband and Communications at Qualcomm Technologies, concluded, “Achieving gigabit speeds at 14 km is a major validation of what’s possible with 5G mmWave. Together with Ericsson and NBN Co, we are setting new standards in fixed wireless broadband performance, helping to close the digital divide by delivering fibre-like speeds over wireless networks.”

This latest achievement builds upon NBN Co’s recent completion of a $750 million upgrade to its Fixed Wireless network. Completed on 31 December 2024, the upgrade integrated Ericsson’s latest 4G, 5G and 5G mmWave technology to expand the coverage and capacity of approximately 2300 fixed wireless towers using mid-band and mmWave spectrum. As a result, the network’s footprint has grown from 220,000 to 345,000 km², significantly improving access to high-speed broadband.

Image credit: iStock.com/davidf