NBN achieves 20 Gbps speeds in live network trials

NBN Co has completed a field trial with partner Nokia using three generations of passive optical network (PON) technologies – GPON, XGS PON and 25GS PON – over its Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) network.

The successful in-field trial demonstrates the fibre in nbn’s network is capable of supporting the next generation of broadband services of XGS PON and 25GS PON, whilst maintaining current active services on existing GPON fibre technology. This is the first time nbn has demonstrated these capabilities on its fibre in the field, with previous testing done in a lab setting.

During the field trial, nbn and Nokia were able to achieve speeds of 8 Gbps (symmetric) on XGS PON and 20 Gbps (symmetric) on 25GS PON, a new Australian record for a passive optical network.

The trial is an important step in delivering nbn's long-term network strategy, which is exploring the introduction of multi-gigabit services to homes, businesses, and new developments across the country in the future.

Dion Ljubanovic, nbn Chief Network Officer, said, “This successful trial shows us that the performance of the fibre we deploy in our fixed line footprint is limited only by the capabilities of equipment connected to it – as new solutions become available, we can introduce them to increase the capabilities and speeds we can offer on the network.

“Homes and businesses across Australia are demanding more data than ever before, and this will only continue to accelerate over the coming decade as we see increased adoption and applications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual and immersive reality.

“We now have around 775,000 homes on the nbn network using more than a terabyte of data per month, which has grown by more than 30 per cent in the last year alone. As we plan and begin to deliver upgrades in the network now for the demand we expect to see in five, 10 or 20 years’ time, trials like this are so important.

“This could be especially exciting for Australia’s property development industry, the industry building Australia’s newest communities, which are critical to supporting Australia’s growing population.

“The results of this trial demonstrate the power of our network to introduce multi-gigabit speeds over our fibre and the exciting possibilities in store for further collaboration with our partners to deliver this to the people of Australia.”

Andrew Cope, Managing Director, Nokia Australia and New Zealand, said, “We are delighted to have worked with nbn on this trial. The trial used Nokia’s Lightspan MF access node technology, which can support convergence of multi-PON services and beyond over single fibre infrastructure, as demonstrated by nbn in this trial.

“To meet the future demands of the network in the next decade, nbn is focused on enhancing the capacity and capabilities of the fibre infrastructure through cutting-edge technology. The deployment of Nokia's next-generation MF series Optical Line Terminals will support higher capacity fibre optic broadband technologies and multi-gigabit speeds while improving power efficiency.

“By embracing these advancements, Australia is positioning itself at the forefront of the digital revolution, ensuring the nbn network's capacity to address the country's evolving broadband needs well into the future.”