NBN Co has commenced testing the 3.5GHz spectrum slated for use in NBN Co’s fixed wireless network in outer metro areas. NBN Co’s current Fixed Wireless network uses the 2.3GHz spectrum in regional areas after acquiring the spectrum from former satellite TV provider Austar. However, it lacked the 2.3GHz spectrum license in metro areas.
In August 2014, Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull directed the ACMA to issue licenses for NBN Co in the 3.5GHz spectrum to cover a spectrum shortage NBN Co faced in outer metro areas.
According to the ACMA license database, there were 41 “Scientific Assigned” licenses issued in the 3.5GHz spectrum range in December 2014. These licenses were assigned onto NBN Co “Test Trailer” that are located in the outer suburbs of Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, where the test equipment resides:
| Test Trailer Code | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Bris 1 | within 8 km of Bribie Island Road near Regina Avenue | NINGI |
| Bris 8 | within 8 km of Warrill View-Peak Crossing Rd | HARRISVILLE |
| Bris 12 | within 6 km of Brookfield Showground | BROOKFIELD |
| Bris 11 | within 8 km of Narangba Road near Alama Road | KURWONGBAH |
| Bris 2 | within 8 km of Hausmann Lane | UPPER CABOOLTURE |
| Bris 4 | within 8 km of Williams Street | DAYBORO |
| Syd 10 | within 10 km of 80-82 Market Street | APPIN |
| Syd 8 | within 10 km of Cnr Wollombi Road / Shingle Gully Road | MILLFIELD |
| Bris 3 | within 8 km of Camp Mountain Road | SAMFORD VILLAGE |
| Bris 7 | within 8 km of 1524-1530 Waterford-Tamborine Road | LOGAN VILLAGE |
| Bris 5 | within 8 km of Reservoir, D’Aguilar, McLeod Lane | BRACALBA |
| Bris 6 | within 8 km of 5460555 Middle Road | GREENBANK |
| Bris 10 | within 15 km of Near Reservoir, Knox Lane | FERNVALE |
| Syd 1 | withn 20 km of Reservoir off Tanilba Bay Road | LEMON TREE PASSAGE |
| Syd 14 | within 6 km of Cnr George Downes Drive / Greta Road | KULNURA |
| Syd 13 | within 10 km of 240 Mowbray Park Road | LAKESLAND |
| Syd 12 | within 5 km of Warragamba Sportsground | WARRAGAMBA |
| Syd 4 | within 20 km of Sandy Creek Road near Whitings Lane | QUORROBOLONG |
| Bris 9 | within 15 km of Lot 4, Wensley Road | SOUTH RIPLEY |
| Syd 6 | within 5 km of Old Northern Road near Wisemans Ferry Road | MAROOTA |
| Syd 2 | within 10 km of Off Italia Road near Lone Pine Road | EAST SEAHAM |
| Syd 7 | within 12 km of 139 Racecourse Road | CLARENDON |
| Syd 5 | within 12 km of Wyee Road near Ruttley Road | WYEE |
| Syd 9 | within 10 km of 5 Lupton Road | BARGO |
| Syd 3 | within 10 km of 2171 Pacific Highway | HEATHERBRAE |
| Syd 11 | within 10 km of 135 Burragorang Road | MOUNT HUNTER |
| CWMEL_P2_5 | within 15 km of Comms Site, Alcorns Road | CRESWICK |
| CW_SYD_P2_1 | within 15 km of 1C Hoddle Street | BURRAWANG |
| CW_SA_P2_1 | within 15 km of Lot 133 Carter Road | RIVERGLEN |
| CW_SYD_P2_3 | within 15 km of Lot 102 Great Western Highway | LITTLE HARTLEY |
The test licenses will expire in June 2015. It is expected that around 80,000 premises will be serviceable by NBN Co’s 3.5GHz fixed wireless network once it’s completed.
