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Ericsson taps NetComm for NBN devices

Network technology provider NetComm has been chosen by Ericsson to provide the fixed-wireless terminal at customer premises for the long-term evolution (LTE) fixed-wireless component of the National Broadband Network roll-out.
Written by Josh Taylor, Contributor

Network technology provider NetComm has been chosen by Ericsson to provide the fixed-wireless terminal at customer premises for the long-term evolution (LTE) fixed-wireless component of the National Broadband Network roll-out.

The Time Division LTE (TD-LTE) devices will be made up of two pieces of equipment — a weatherproof box that sits on the outside of the home, and a piece that becomes the network termination unit in the home. These devices will then be used to connect up to one of the 2300 of NBN Co's base stations, and towers across the country.

The technology is different to the standard LTE products offered by NetComm, according to NetComm managing director David Stewart, as the product has been developed specifically for NBN Co.

In June, Ericsson secured a $1.1 billion contract to build NBN Co's fixed-wireless TD-LTE network, which is expected to cover up to 500,000 homes within the 7 per cent of Australia not covered by fibre roll-out. Earlier this month, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announced that the first five regional sites would go live in mid 2012, with the construction of the network set to be completed by 2015.

It had been reported that the deal between NetComm and Ericsson was worth up to $200 million for the company. Stewart told ZDNet Australia that there was no set value, and that it would be dependent on how much NBN Co requires.

"There's no value on the contract, in that we are just building a piece of equipment and they'll buy it as they need it," he said. "There's certainly no volume commitment at the moment."

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