Telstra's 21Mbps Next G network: 21Mbps modems in 2009

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 23 October 2008 10:37

Opinion and Analysis

Ross Fielding, Executive Director, Telstra Product Management said “We are on track to deliver on this promise and start providing peak network speeds of 21Mbps downlink across the network’s expansive footprint from the end of the year.

“Working with our partners, Sierra Wireless, Qualcomm and Ericsson, we are developing the world’s first 21Mbps capable mobile broadband device, which will take advantage of the speed, coverage and capabilities of the Next G network, giving our customers an unrivalled broadband experience when on the move, across a network that covers over two million square kilometers and 99 per cent of the Australian population.”

Jim Kirkpatrick, Chief Technology Officer for Sierra Wireless said: “HSPA+ technology will provide a remarkable improvement in how people experience mobile broadband, and once again opens the door for new, higher bandwidth applications.

“Telstra has shown tremendous industry leadership in delivering leading mobile broadband technology first in the world, and we are thrilled to work with other key industry leaders like Qualcomm and Ericsson to support this initiative.”

As per usual, the 21Mbps speeds refer to the “peak network downlink speed”, with “actual customer download speeds will be less and will vary due to network configuration, congestion, distance from the cell, local conditions, hardware, software and other factors.”

So... 21Mbps wireless is on the way, with devices seemingly likely to arrive even before the Australian Federal Government’s vaunted “National Broadband Network” gets fully decided upon and the first sod of earth is even turned.

At this rate, with the NBN being the “no broadband network”, I can only wonder whether the NBN might end up being the “OBN” or “outdated broadband network” instead!

Whatever the damn thing ends up being, I just hope it isn’t the “SBN” (slow broadband network) or the EEFN: extremely expensive fraudband network – whoever ends up building it, whether it’s Telstra, Terria, James Bond, God, Kevin Rudd’s cat or aliens from the planet Xorg.