NBN Fixed Wireless Antenna (close up)

NBN Co tests 3.5GHz fixed wireless in outer metro areas

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.