In lab testing, Australia’s nbn recorded throughput speeds of 8 Gbps using Nokia’s XG-FAST solution. Specifically, the XG-FAST trial conducted in nbn’s North Sydney-based lab facilities generated peak aggregate data throughput speeds of more than 8 Gbps over a 30-meter twisted-pair copper cable typically deployed in field. A 5Gbps peak aggregate speed was achieved over 70 meters of twisted-pair copper cable.
XG-FAST is a Nokia Bell Labs-developed extension of Nokia’s commercially available G.fast. Nokia said the technology can deliver fiber-like speeds of more than 10 Gbps over short distances using existing copper infrastructure.
Dennis Steiger, CTO at nbn said: “Although XG-FAST is still in its very early stages of development, the lab trials we have conducted demonstrate the huge potential that the technology offers. XG-FAST gives us the ability to deliver multi-gigabit speeds over copper lines – virtually on a par with what is currently available on Fiber-to-the-Premises – but at a lower cost and time to deploy. We are really thrilled to be the third operator in the global market to run lab trials of XG-FAST, following in the footsteps of BT last year and Deutsche Telekom in February. This shows that nbn is committed to delivering Australians the best possible broadband experience on the nbn(TM) network.”
Deutsche Telekom Tests XG-FAST over Copper with Nokia
Deutsche Telekom hit throughput speed of more than 10 Gbps in a trial or Nokia’s XG-FAST technology that was conducted at Deutsche Telekom’s cable laboratory in Darmstadt, Germany. The trial used two bonded pairs of Category 6 cable at 50 meters in length. Similar tests using standard drop cable illustrated the feasibility of XG-FAST for fiber-to-the-front door applications, achieving aggregate rates that exceed 8Gbps over 50m. All trials were performed using prototype equipment from Bell Labs under laboratory conditions.
XG-FAST is a Bell Labs-developed extension of Nokia’s commercially available G.fast technology. The lab trial was conducted end of 2015 by Nokia’s subsidiary Alcatel-Lucent.
Deutsche Telekom’s network – which uses VDSL2 Vectoring as well as fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology – currently offers customers access speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Nokia said XG-FAST is in the early stages of lab testing, but has exceeded expectations in trials with several customers so far.
XG-FAST is also capable of delivering 1Gbps symmetrical services at distances of 70m enabling operators to deliver fiber-like speeds inside buildings using existing telephone lines, eliminating the need to install new cabling. This allows for faster installation times and less hassle for the end-user.
