For rural Australians, not unlike those living in urban areas, an internet connection is key in the operation of day to day business and in everyday living. Unfortunately, due to how isolated some Australians are from the centres of population, the spread of technology, and more specifically, fast and reliable internet access, is slow to reach them. However, over several years, developments and attempts have been made in providing regional communities around the country with access to fast and reliable internet. Two such approaches in providing broadband internet to remote regions as stated by Liu (2017), are ‘Fixed Wireless’ and ‘Satellite Broadband’.
What is a ‘Fixed Wireless’ Connection?
A ‘Fixed Wireless’ connection, as defined by NBN Co Limited (2017), is created by transmitting data via radio signals from an NBN provided ‘Fixed Wireless transmission tower’. In other words, fixed wireless as a form of internet service delivery is where an internet connection, usually via optic fibre cabling, is connected to a transmission tower, which then beams the internet connection to the receiver, i.e. a home or business in a rural area. Essentially, a fixed wireless connection is similar to that of a satellite broadband connection, in the way that it is implemented in areas where constructing the infrastructure necessary for broadband services like a ‘Digital Subscriber Line’ (DSL) are too expensive.
Fixed wireless connections come with several benefits in comparison to satellite broadband connections. For example, Rutnik (2019) states that, “Unlinke traditional cellular services, fixed wireless internet usually has either very high caps (100GB or more) or no caps at all. Additionally, the technology offers high download speeds that are just as fast, if not faster than those you get from other broadband services.” This, of course, is relative to the standard internet speeds within Australia. Another benefit, albeit for the service provider, is that less infrastructure is required for a fixed wireless internet connection in comparison to other broadband alternatives because the system does not rely on a physical connection.
Naturally, a fixed wireless connection does come with flaws. For instance, in the event of unsavoury weather conditions such as rain or fog, or if any obstructions lie between the transceiver and receiver, the connection will become unstable.
Satellite Broadband, a Better Alternative?
In comparison to a fixed wireless service, ‘Satellite Broadband’ is a promising alternative for rural Australians, albeit with room for improvement regarding the currently available technology. While, Elon Musk’s SpaceX solution to satellite broadband, ‘Starlink’ has begun to seek final approval to offer internet access in Australia, the majority of satellite broadband internet is provided by the NBN Co’s ‘Sky Muster’ service. NBN Co’s service makes use of ground stations around Australia to transmit a connection to a satellite, which then relays the connection to a dish.
Satellite broadband provides several benefits to rural Australians in its ability to handle high bandwidth usage, alongside being impacted less by an increased number of users. However, while a satellite broadband connection is able to reach even the most remote communities, the approach succumbs to similar pitfalls associated with the fixed wireless connection. PlugThingsIn (2020) found that, similar to a fixed wireless connection, a satellite connection is just as severely impacted by weather conditions and minor obstructions. Furthermore, a prominent issue for the consumer is the cost and data caps that come with a satellite broadband connection.
Woodburn (2016) states that satellite broadband connections are comparable to a ‘data drought’, due to the fact that there are hard data caps that prevent users in rural areas from having a service that even closely resembles those provided in urban areas. Another hassle for users is that the connection speeds on average, as listed by NBN Co Limited (2017), are as of December 2020, approximately one-tenth of the speeds provided by a fixed wireless connection.
So, which is actually better?
While technology is ever improving, rural Australians are left with relatively few reliable options in selecting an effective service to provide internet access. However, it must be noted that, where possible, a fixed wireless connection is more desirable overall for the user. This is primarily due to the fact that, in comparison to satellite broadband, a fixed wireless connection has lower costs, faster connection speeds, and higher data caps. Evidently, there still remains the possibility that in future, with a successful rollout of Starlink, rural Australians may be able to have access to a higher speed connection than most Australians living in the city.
References
Liu, M. (2017). How to Get Broadband Internet in Rural and Remote Areas and Communities. Compare Broadband. Available, https://www.comparebroadband.com.au/broadband-articles/guides-id49/how-to-get-broadband-internet-in-rural-and-remote-areas-and-communities-id1224/
NBN Co Limited. (2017). NBN Technology 101: What is Fixed Wireless?. NBN Co Limited. Available, https://www.nbnco.com.au/blog/the-nbn-project/nbn-technology-101-what-is-fixed-wireless
PlugThingsIn. (2020). What is Satellite Internet? PlugThingsIn. Available, http://www.plugthingsin.com/internet/satellite/
Rutnik, M. (2019). What is Fixed Wireless Internet. Android Authority. Available, https://www.androidauthority.com/what-is-fixed-wireless-internet-831394/
Woodburn, J. (2016). NBN Shortcomings in Rural Areas Could Lead to ‘Data Drought’, Farmers Warn. ABC News. Available, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-24/farmers-call-for-nbn-rollout-comparable-to-urban-areas/7441642
