Aussie ISP takes on NBN with microwave broadband
In this article (5)
Lightning Broadband is offering fiber connectivity in parts of Melbourne and plans to guide its roll out plans based on demand. Potential customers are able to register for interest on the website.
The ISP is offering 100Mbps symmetrical plans with unlimited data for A$120 ($90) per month on a 24-month contract. The NBN’s 100Mbps downlink plans offer only 25Mbps uplink.
Lightning Broadband is also offering 25Mbps, 50Mbps and 75Mbps plans, starting from A$75.
For business customers, Lighting Broadband will offer dedicated 1000Mbps symmetrical microwave links that will not share equipment with other users.
Founder Jeremy Rich told that the company believes that many Australians are sick of waiting for the NBN to arrive in their area, and are interested in adopting high-speed broadband today.
The NBN’s ambitious rollout plans have been delayed repeatedly since the project was announced.
The project has also been scaled back under the recently re-elected government – the NBN was originally intended to deliver FTTH providing wholesale speeds of up to 100Mbps to 93% of the population, but has since been redesigned to use a mix of access technologies, including FTTN, HFC and fixed wireless.
Questions & Answers
Q.What kind of technology does Lightning Broadband use to deliver its services?
What kind of technology does Lightning Broadband use to deliver its services?
Lightning Broadband is offering fiber connectivity in parts of Melbourne. For business customers, the company will offer dedicated 1000Mbps symmetrical microwave links that will not share equipment with other users.
Q.How do Lightning Broadband's residential plans compare to the NBN's 100Mbps offerings?
How do Lightning Broadband's residential plans compare to the NBN's 100Mbps offerings?
Lightning Broadband offers 100Mbps symmetrical plans, meaning 100Mbps uplink and downlink. In contrast, the NBN’s 100Mbps downlink plans only offer 25Mbps uplink, which is significantly slower for uploads.
Q.What is the primary motivation for Lightning Broadband to enter the market against the NBN?
What is the primary motivation for Lightning Broadband to enter the market against the NBN?
Founder Jeremy Rich stated that the company believes many Australians are tired of waiting for the NBN to reach their area. They are interested in adopting high-speed broadband immediately, which Lightning Broadband aims to provide.
Q.How has the NBN's original plan changed since its inception?
How has the NBN's original plan changed since its inception?
The NBN was initially planned to deliver Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) with speeds up to 100Mbps to 93% of the population. However, it has since been redesigned to use a mix of access technologies, including FTTN, HFC, and fixed wireless.
Reader pulse
Will Lightning Broadband effectively challenge NBN?
19,154 votes so far