In Reality, How Fast Is Fixed Wireless nbn for a Farm?

enveloped on 10/12/2023 - 23:33

I'm aware of NBN's plans to upgrade fixed wireless, including increasing upload speeds to 8-20 Mbps and download speeds to 200-325 Mbps.

My farm is quite spread out, with no buildings within 100 meters of each other. This means any fixed wireless connection would need to come from a considerable distance, likely exceeding 400 meters.

Currently, I use Starlink and utilize a pair of Omada EAP610-v1.2 devices to extend the signal 150 meters across the farm with a direct line of sight (except for some leaves).

Considering the potential distance of the NBN fixed wireless connection and the effectiveness of my existing Omada setup, I'm unsure if switching would offer any significant speed improvements over my current Starlink setup.

It's possible that NBN's less optimal antenna placement compared to my own may negate any potential speed gain from the upgrade.

Therefore, I'm seeking clarification on whether switching to NBN fixed wireless would likely provide any tangible speed benefits in my specific situation.

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • jv on 10/12/2023 - 23:38
    +1

    good question

  • kizzaaa on 11/12/2023 - 00:13
    +1

    I think you've answered your own question.

    No way to tell until the NBN tower upgrade is complete and an NBN antenna is installed on your property.

    If you really need more bandwidth, and your budget allows, perhaps set-up an active/active or load balanced solution that uses both NBN FW and Starlink.

    • jv on 11/12/2023 - 00:22

      load balanced solution that uses both NBN FW and Starlink.

      Sounds expensive

      • geekcohen on 11/12/2023 - 05:54

        Not really, a Ubiquiti Dream Machine can do that, about $800, but achievable.

  • Muzeeb on 11/12/2023 - 00:44
    +1

    I'm a bit confused to be honest. Maybe I'm technically munted or don't understand your question correctly.

    I live on a farm and have FW. Currently average 70Mbps down and 7Mbps up.

    The NBN installers chose the best line of sight antenna roof position for maximum signal strength of the NBN FW tower which in my case is 4.1km away as the crow flies.

    This terminates at an NBN termination device on the wall at a position that I got to choose. How I send the signal around the house and to outbuildings is then up to me. I have a WiFi router at the termination point for the main living area and used two old routers (hard wired) as access points at opposite ends of the single storey house. One of the access points is near a window and I can intercept it's signal from the shed approximately 50m away on 2.4ghz.

    If you switch to NBN FW I don't see why you can't do a similar setup with your EAP610 to service other buildings.

    • jv on 11/12/2023 - 00:47

      "My farm is quite spread out, with no buildings within 100 meters of each other."

      • Muzeeb on 11/12/2023 - 00:49
        +2

        This is where I'm confused. Does OP then not use his EAP610 to deliver the signal to these outbuildings? Why would it be any different with FW? Or does OP move his starlink antenna between buildings as required. I have NFI about starlink and maybe this is the source of my confusion.

        • ESEMCE on 11/12/2023 - 09:07
          +4

          Agreed, it's almost as if the OP is confusing Internet access (NBN or Starlink) technology with local networking (EAP610)

    • enveloped on 11/12/2023 - 10:47

      I think I wasn't super clear in my initial question, so let me try to lay it out a bit better. I totally get that NBN's fixed wireless (FW) is likely using some decent enterprise-grade hardware. But I reckon it's not the kind of stuff that's going to break the bank, otherwise, folks would just sign up, snag the gear, and then bail, right? That said, because the signal strength goes both ways, and it's only as good as the weakest link, I'm not convinced that the FW tower's gear is going to outdo the setup I've already got going with my Omada EAP610s.

      My current setup with Starlink and these Omadas is pretty much tailored to my farm's needs. We're talking about a spread-out area, and these devices are pushing their limits to cover the distance in my leafy mountain region. I'm scratching my head a bit here thinking about whether NBN's FW, even with its fancier numbers on paper, would actually give me a real-world speed boost.

      The way I see it, even if the NBN installers do a bang-up job finding the sweet spot for their antenna, I'm not sure it'll beat what I've already got. My gear is set up just right for the distances and obstacles around here. And yeah, I get that with NBN, I could probably use my current gear to spread the signal around, but if the main line coming in isn't any better than what I've got now, what's the point, right?

      So, I guess what I'm really trying to figure out is if switching to NBN's FW is going to make a noticeable difference in my setup. From where I'm standing, it seems like a bit of a toss-up.

      • Muzeeb on 11/12/2023 - 11:03
        +1

        The NBN FW installation is free. Just sign up to ABB for a month and test it. It's the only way to get an answer.

        TBH it sounds to me like you're just anti NBN, for whatever reason, so I recommend you just stay with starlink.

        Also, I'm still confused.

        I could probably use my current gear to spread the signal around

        Well duh! How else do you expect your on farm network to work?

        • enveloped on 11/12/2023 - 11:46

          I spent 5 hours with ABB already. First confusion aboout the address, then they keep calling back when my hands are grease and if I call in they say there is unsually high number of calls they will call back and reinse and repeat, then they told me my address is on the ban list and to lift the ban I need to provide documents such as contracts of sales (already done, waiting for them to confirm it acceptable). There is a 4-6 week wait time (email notified) so I need to make sure I don't leave the farm in those weeks. I also am not sure if ABB would be doing me the favour of wall fixture or pole to stand the antenna and lay power cable to that location or do they expect me to do those myself - pretty sure they will test the best location and ask me to prepare the pole and power point so they can come back to just install the device. ABB might however be kind enough do the water proofing and lightening protection? Took me 2 hours to get that done with the current setup. Then Ethernet to the router. Like most things on a farm, a task is usually actually a project.

          However I don't think choosing competitors of ABB would have made it fasters. I will report the result however, if I persisted to finish that.

      • Protractor on 11/12/2023 - 11:04
        +2

        Reading your already established position, you seem to be debating with yourself. It seems like a two headed coin toss in favour of your existing setup.
        And speed is one thing, lag /latency another. Horses for courses on your 'actual' usage.

  • geekcohen on 11/12/2023 - 05:59

    Therefore, I'm seeking clarification on whether switching to NBN fixed wireless would likely provide any tangible speed benefits in my specific situation.

    In my opinion, probably not. Starlink is probably still going to be your best solution compared to NBN Fixed Wireless.

    In terms of speed, Starlink is most likely always going to be the fastest. They are looking at making things faster. Plus, you won't be prone to, "kids are now home, speeds drop at 6pm" situation like you could be on FW.

    In terms of reliability, Starlink is a bit more reliable and hasn't had as many outages as the NBN FW Network. Similar to the speed, you won't be prone to, "kids are now home, speeds drop at 6pm".

  • JimmyF on 11/12/2023 - 09:54
    +1

    Considering the potential distance of the NBN fixed wireless connection and the effectiveness of my existing Omada setup, I'm unsure if switching would offer any significant speed improvements over my current Starlink setup.

    What are your mobile speeds like when outside or on the roof?

    Fixed wireless is basically the same as mobile wireless, but screwed to the roof, with better line of sight and stronger transmitting power. 400m is nothing.

    Just like starlink, once that signal gets to your Omada setup, the speeds will be based on how good your wifi mesh setup really is. So what are you starlink speeds like?

    NBN FW speeds will depend on how full the tower is etc. They will only install it IF you can get the minimum signal strengths required to hit the speed targets set by NBN.

    • enveloped on 12/12/2023 - 01:02

      So what are you starlink speeds like?

      At STARLINK's own wifi: 108Mbps
      150 meters away, through an extender: 50-60Mbps

      • geekcohen on 12/12/2023 - 06:07

        That isn't too bad. But there could be some configuration issue that is impacting the extender.

        2.4GHZ or 5GHZ network?

        Plus, do you have a network hub or switch in place? Is that limited to 100Mbps or is it 1000Mbps?

        I've done Starlink Installs with WiFi Extenders where the Starlink and WiFi Access Point match speed and performance.

      • JimmyF on 12/12/2023 - 09:18
        +2

        At STARLINK's own wifi: 108Mbps
        150 meters away, through an extender: 50-60Mbps

        Basically if the FW gives you similar speeds, you'll be seeing similar speeds on the wifi extender if they top out at 50-60mbps.

  • netjock on 11/12/2023 - 13:13
    +1

    We went from fixed wireless to your setup with Starlink and TP-Link TPE210s.

    There was 2 fixed wireless antennas with about 100m apart between buildings. Wasn't going to pay $130 for 2 FW connections that is doing the current speeds.

    If they upgrade it then see the pricing.

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