- Next G
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Logo used to advertise the network.
Next G is a third generation mobile telecommunication network operated by Telstra in Australia.
Contents
Background
See also: Telecommunications in AustraliaAfter a review, Telstra announced a plan to upgrade its ageing networks and systems; which includes a new 3G network to replace the then current CDMA mobile network.[1][2]
Construction
The network was built between November 2005 and September 2006, and launched in October 2006. As of 2007[update] Next G was the largest mobile network in Australia, providing larger coverage than other 3G providers in Australia and over three times larger than any 2G provider in Australia.[3] As of December 2008[update] the Next G Network was also the fastest mobile network in the World, delivering theoretical network speeds of up to 21Mbit/s[4] utilising features of HSPA+ and Dual-Carrier HSPA. Telstra has since increased the speed up to 42Mbit/s in the first half of 2010 and plans to double it again to 84Mbit/s in mid-2011.
The network is currently[update] used for BigPond's wireless broadband service and Telstra Mobile, which is Australia's largest mobile telephone service provider, in terms of both subscriptions[5] and coverage[3]
Network design
It was built to replace Telstra's CDMA network which operated from 1999 until 28 April 2008.[6] Telstra opted to use the 850 MHz band for Next G in preference to the more common 2100 MHz band, since it requires fewer base stations to provide coverage, providing a lower capital cost.[7] This network was implemented under contract by Ericsson as part of a project internally dubbed "Jersey" and launched on 6 October 2006.[8] HSPA technology was included in the network to provide Australia's first wide area wireless broadband network. The efficiency of the Next G network and its coverage has been challenged and scrutinised since its launch, requiring Telstra to go back to areas with average coverage, particularly rural towns to improve its coverage footprint. On 18 January 2008 Stephen Conroy, Minister for Communications, declined the proposal for Telstra to switch off its CDMA network on 28 January 2008, stating that whilst the Next G network provided coverage equal to or better than the CDMA network, the range of handsets available was not yet satisfactory.[9] On 15 April 2008 the Minister gave approval to close the CDMA network after 28 April 2008.[10] Telstra closed the network nationally during the early morning hours of 29 April 2008.[11]
While most wireless modems[12] offered by Telstra allow peak download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbit/s, a modem by Sierra Wireless was announced in 2009 that supported increased throughput.[13] The "USB 306" is marketed and sold by Telstra as the "Telstra Turbo 21 Modem", and was available in limited quantity in early 2009. By April the "Turbo 21" was available to customers and offered peak download speeds of 21 Mbits/s, although actual speeds vary between 550Kbit/s and 8Mbits/s.[14] As of June 2009[update] Next G network HSUPA upgrades in selected regional and metropolitan areas, combined with software updates for the "Turbo 21" modem, will allow peak uplink speeds of up to 5.76 Mbit/s.[15]
References
- ^ Ferguson, Iain (15 November 2005). "Telstra to slash tech costs under review". ZDNet. http://www.zdnet.com.au/telstra-to-slash-tech-costs-under-review-139222399.htm. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ Maiden, Malcolm (16 November 2005). "Telstra dives as $10bn plans unveiled". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/telstra-dives-as-10bn-plans-unveiled/2005/11/15/1132016797364.html. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Telstra to make Next G biggest, fastest in world". Melbourne: The Age. 14 February 2007. http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/telstra-to-make-next-g-biggest-fastest-in-world/2007/02/13/1171128974088.html. Retrieved 5 April 2008.
- ^ Tindal, Suzanne (8 December 2008). "Telstra boosts Next G to 21Mbps". ZDNet Australia. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Telstra-boosts-Next-G-to-21Mbps/0,130061791,339293706,00.htm. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ "Telstra Reports 2 Million HSDPA Subscribers". cellular-news. http://www.cellular-news.com/story/28136.php. Retrieved 5 April 2008.
- ^ http://www.crn.com.au/News/74810,telstra-closes-its-cdma-network-today.aspx Telstra closes its CDMA network today (28-Apr-2008)
- ^ Glossary. 3GSM 850, Telstra.com.au
- ^ http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/coonan/media/media_releases/minister_welcomes_telstra_next_g_launch
- ^ Conroy order delay of CDMA closure
- ^ CDMA Network to close on 28th April 2008
- ^ Cool reception for Next G network as CDMA service ends
- ^ Wireless Bigpond - Device feature comparison, Bigpond.com
- ^ Sierra Wireless’ USB 306 and 307 modems first to support HSPA+ GPSObsessed.com, 12 February 2009.
- ^ Fact Sheet. "Telstra Turbo 21 modems", NowWeAreTalking.com, 17 February 2009.
- ^ Media Release. "Australia's fastest mobile broadband just got faster with a world first combination of network and device capability", Telstra.com, 23 June 2009.
External links
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