By
Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor
Last updated

Fixed Wireless network tower

NBN Co today announced it had achieved download speeds of over a gigabit in tests on the Fixed Wireless portion of the network.

These speeds were achieved using mmWave 5G at a distance of approximately 10km. mmWave is the fastest form of 5G, using much higher frequencies than 5G networks used to connect mobile phones. As such, it can achieve higher speeds. 

While higher frequency 5G can have a shorter range, NBN Co has been working on long-range mmWave tech with Ericsson over the past few years. NBN Co Chief Technology Officer for Wireless Networks, Jason Ashton, last year told WhistleOut that mmWave 5G works particularly well in areas with a good line of sight to the local tower.

Gigabit Fixed Wireless NBN plans are currently in the testing phase and have not yet been made available to customers. NBN Co Chief Development Officer for Regional and Remote, Gavin Williams, says the network builder will make more announcements about higher speed plans throughout the year. 

"This points to an exciting future network capability for business and enterprise-grade services or higher speed services for residential customers," said Williams.

These plans may not be available to everyone, however. Gigabit speeds rely on mmWave 5G, and currently only 850 of the 2,300 Fixed Wireless network sites have that capability. 

Gigabit speeds would give Fixed Wireless customers the equivalent of NBN 1000 plans. These are presently only available to those on FTTP or HFC technology types. 

400Mbps is currently the fastest speed tier available to Fixed Wireless NBN customers. Around 80% of the Fixed Wireless footprint is able to access this speed tier. 

Looking for a new NBN plan?

These are the most popular Fixed Wireless Plus plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom
Fixed Wireless Value Plus
  • nbn® Wireless Speed
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $63.90/month for first 6 months, then $88.90/month.
$63.90/mth
Min. cost $63.90
#2
Dodo
Dodo
Fixed Wireless Plus Plan
  • nbn® Wireless 70/10 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $87.99/mth*. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply.
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
#3
Superloop
Superloop
nbn Fixed Wireless Plus (100/20)
  • nbn® Wireless 80/12 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $15/mth off 6 months! $77/mth for 6 mths, then $92/mth + Free eero 7 modem when you stay for 24 mths + Bundle & Save
$77/mth
Min. cost $77
#4
Origin Broadband
Origin Broadband
Fixed Wireless nbn® 100/20
  • nbn® Wireless 80/12 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Classic Deal: Includes $55/mth off for 6 mths, $55/mth for 6 mths, then reverts to $110/mth. Offer ends 30.11.26. T&Cs apply
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
Link not supplied
#5
AGL
AGL
Fixed Wireless Plus
  • nbn® Wireless 80/9 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: AGL Bundle Offer - $88/mth when you BYO modem and have AGL energy.
$103/mth
Min. cost $103
Link not supplied
#6
Activ8me
Activ8me
Editor's Pick
Fixed Wireless Plus
  • nbn® Wireless 50/6 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Special Offer! Includes $30/mth off for 6 months. $54.95/mth for first 6 months, then $84.95/mth ongoing. Ends 31.12. T&Cs apply.
$54.95/mth
Min. cost $54.95
#7
Skymesh
Skymesh
NBN Wireless Plus
  • nbn® Wireless Speed
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $20/mth off for first 6 months, then $94.95/mth. T&Cs apply.
$74.95/mth
Min. cost $74.95
Link not supplied
#8
Moose NBN
Moose NBN
nbn 100/20 Premium FW
  • nbn® Wireless 73/10 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $24/mth off for first 6 months - $59.80/mth for 6mths, then $83.80/mth + Get eero 7 modem for only $175 (RRP $249).
$59.80/mth
Min. cost $59.80
Link not supplied
#9
Swoop
Swoop
nbn® Wireless Plus
  • nbn® Wireless 75/10 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 months, $69/mth for first 6 months then $84/mth + Get the eero 7 for only $175 (normally $249)
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
#10
iPrimus
iPrimus
Unlimited Fixed Wireless Plus
  • nbn® Wireless 70/10 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
$90/mth
Min. cost $90
Link not supplied

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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