Optus trials fixed wireless broadband for city homes

Optus is trialling fixed wireless broadband for home users across four capital cities to test whether 4G can act as a viable alternatve to a fixed broadband connection. 

The three-month trial, running across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, is already underway, supported by around 200 Optus staff, and if successful will result in a product launch within months.

Trial participants are using a wireless router to receive the 4G signal as opposed to a dongle to test the reliability of the mobile network.

Optus said the resulting product, which would replace fixed broadband connections with a fixed 4G wireless service, would offer comparable ADSL2+ speeds (12 megabits per second) to homes unable or unwilling to receive a fixed broadband service.

The fixed wireless service is expected to be priced in the same range as the telco’s other fixed products.

The service would not require a phone line and would only be available in areas with Optus 4G Plus, or TD-LTE, coverage.

Optus switched on the 4G Plus network in the same four capital cities in September, ahead of a progressive wider rollout.

"This Optus Home Wireless Broadband trial is about putting our powerful 4G Plus network through its paces to understand the full potential of what we can delivery for our customers - not just in mobile, but also home broadband,” managing director of Optus’ fixed division Martin Mercer said.

“This is not just in terms of speed and experience, but also how we manage our 4G Plus network to actively prevent a customer’s connection changing, wavering or dropping off during busy times."