Future of broadband networks: 4G wireless vs. Fibre Optic NBN technology
Sarbeen Kaur
School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup sdhindsa@ecu.edu.au Abstract: 4G mobile communications will have transmission rates up to 20 Mbps — higher than of 3G. 4G applications include highperformance streaming of multimedia content based on agent technology and scalable media coding methods. 4G will solve problems like limited bandwidth in 3G when people are moving and uncertainty about the availability of bandwidth for streaming to all users at all times. The National Broadband Network, known as the “NBN”, is a high-speed telecommunications network being constructed by NBN Co Limited, a company set up by the Commonwealth Government in 2009. The NBN gives everyone a high-speed link between their premises and their service provider. The National Broadband Network (NBN) established a very fast broadband link to premises nation-wide. It mostly uses fibre-optic cable, along with fixed wireless and satellite technology in rural and remote areas. The paper discusses about these two networks and compares that which network is more efficient. Index Terms— NBN, WiMAX, LTE, ADSL

Physical limitations prevent practical wireless speeds from approaching those available over fibre-optic cables. There is insufficient radio spectrum to allow wireless to replace fixed networks. To even partially overcome the above limitations, we would need to build over 75,000 new mobile transmission towers across Australia. Wireless network connections are prohibitively expensive, typically being 3-4 times more expensive, for less data volume and at a much slower speed. II. NBN The National Broadband Network is being build to provide high speed internet and telephone services within Australia. NBN is committed to provide services using three technologies depending on location.

Fibre
I. INTRODUCTION

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is Australia's first national wholesale-only, open access communications network that is being built to bring high speed broadband and telephone services within the reach of all Australian premises. The NBN will utilise three technologies; fibre, fixed wireless and satellite, expected to make possible improved ways for you to connect with one another. Within the next decade, the plan is for every home, school and workplace in the country to have access to the NBN. 4G technology has two major categories: WiMax and LTE. WiMAX refers to interoperable implementations of the IEEE 802.16 family of wireless-networks standards. WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless communications standard designed to provide 30 to 40 megabit-per-second data rates. [3] LTE (Long Term Evolution), marketed as 4G LTE, is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals. It is based on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies, increasing the capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements. The standard is developed by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) .

NBN

Fixed Wireless Satellite
Figure 1: NBN Technologies

a.

Fibre Network Optical fibre is made up of glass (Silica) or plastic. Optical fibre is slightly thicker than human hair. Glass is very stable and it does not corrode when in contact with water, air or chemicals, unlike copper. Optic fibre communication is a method of transmitting information through optical fibre by using light pulses. Fibre optic cables carry digital information over long distances. [5] Fibre is a tried and tested technology and once laid it is expected to last 40 - 50 years or longer. Optical cables are made up of hundreds or thousands of optical fibres. Optical fibres transmit light signals that carry voice, video and information to computer or phones at very high speeds. The NBN aims to connect 93% of Australian people in cities and regional areas. A fibre network