World's Fastest Wireless Net Connection

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Australia's Telstra Corporation plans to launch the world's fastest wireless broadband network in the next few months.

Australia's Telstra Corporation plans to launch the world's fastest wireless broadband network in the next few months.

According to the company, the Guinness World Records declared that the Telstra Next G network is the world's fastest wireless broadband network, with peak network speeds reaching to 21 megabits per second. Additionally, Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo also unveiled the modem that will actually access the network: the Turbo 21, displaying the device at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Guinness World Records' Chris Sheedy even balked at the sheer awesomeness of the modem's speed, saying that Telstra's achievement was phenomenal and "a real win for everyday Australians and Australian businesses."

"It is great to see an Australian company leading the way globally in the telecommunications industry," Sheedy added. "I've witnessed amazing records around the globe, but this is the first time I've had the honor of announcing a record which delivers such tangible benefits to an entire nation."

Apparently, consumers hooked up to the blazing fast network with the new Turbo 21 modem will experience download speeds ranging from 550 Kbps to 8 Mbps.  However, Telstra said that consumers will see peak network downlink speeds increase even further to 42 Mbps on parts of the Telstra Next G network later this year. Many businesses residing in the covered area can expect to pick up the Turbo 21 modem after February 23, with the rest of the business and consumer base able to jump onto the Next G network in the coming months. All interested parties should head here to express an interest.

"These record breaking speeds mean it can take only six seconds to download a two megabyte video from BigPond or four seconds for a song," said Telstra Consumer Executive Director Jenny Young. "These new speeds will also be a boost for Australian business that can use the Turbo 21 modem to help save time, cut costs and increase productivity."

Previously Telstra Corporation set a Guinness World Record for having the fastest national broadband network back in 2007, with speeds recorded up to 14.4 Mbps. However, the new technology will enable speeds up to four times faster than those from other Australian telecommunications companies, depending on network conditions. Opus, the nation's second fastest network, features a maximum speed of 7.2 Mbps; others range around 3.6 Mbps. However, the high velocity comes with a price, costing Telstra subscribers $59 per month for 1GB, whereas Opus offers 6GB download for $60 and 6GB for $40 from Vodefone.

Still, despite the hefty pricetag for the limited 1GB download limit, Telstra Networks and Services Group Managing Director Michael Rocca seemed rather elated over the Next G network and the speeds it achieves. "We've supercharged the Next G™ network to a peak network speed of 21 Mbps using HSPA+ technology but this is just the beginning."

According to the BigPond website, the planned availability date for the BigPond Wireless Broadband 21 USB Mobile Card--which runs on the Telstra Next G network- is mid April, 2009.

Kevin Parrish

Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then, he’s loved all things PC-related and cool gadgets ranging from the New Nintendo 3DS to Android tablets. He is currently a contributor at Digital Trends, writing about everything from computers to how-to content on Windows and Macs to reviews of the latest laptops from HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more. 

13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • igot1forya
    The outback is not looking so scary any more... I should move to Australia!
    Reply
  • Sounds like a press release from Telstra given the spelling mistakes of its competitors..

    Opus should be Optus
    Vodefone should be Vodafone

    Now all Telstra need to do is lower the cost to something actually realistic in the current economic climate so that people start using it.
    Reply
  • jokemeister
    It's Optus, not Opus..!!
    Reply
  • Designed by Motorola, supported by Motorola, built for Telstra.
    Reply
  • deltatux
    well, it beats my Internet connection by 10+ mbps? damn, I feel like my Internet connection is nothing by the time my ISP upgrades the system again...
    Reply
  • Australia? . . . . With good internet. . . . i dont believe it.

    Our internet sucks down here! Like . . . seriously.

    Upgrade lines/andwidth before wirelss plez!
    Reply
  • if Optus was Opus, Australia is Austria
    Reply
  • Yay, now we can hit the associated ridiculously small download cap in less than a couple of hours!
    Reply
  • fudgeboy
    why do i honestly picture this thing failing. Telstra has promised so much with the nextG network and so far they've failed beyond belief.
    say for example, screwing up customers bills? ($5,000 when it was only supposed to be $60 is one example)
    Reply
  • 21 Mbps so at peak speed you can use you're whole monthy allowance in 6 and a half minutes. Good one Smellstra!!!
    Reply