(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/BraunS)
Swisscom has announced a pilot program to bring fixed-line and mobile networks closer together using DSL + LTE bonding technology as part of a major investment to expand its advanced broadband network.
The initial trial, which begins this month, will involve a limited number of residential customers and will deliver up to 20 Mbps in the first phase. Higher speeds will be tested in subsequent phases as the trial progresses.
These tests are being conducted to prepare for rapidly growing traffic on fixed networks, which Swisscom reports is currently doubling roughly every 16 months. By combining mobile and fixed-line bandwidth with DSL + LTE bonding, operators can pass more data through the network while maintaining a consistent customer experience.
To support the trial, Swisscom has developed a dedicated LTE receiver that captures the mobile data stream and forwards it over Wi‑Fi to the DSL router. The router runs intelligent software that merges the mobile and fixed-line data streams, creating a single, bonded connection for the end user.
Swisscom notes that the availability and achievable throughput of DSL+LTE bonding depend on the length and condition of the copper fixed line and the 3G/4G mobile coverage at a customer’s location. The pilot aims to evaluate real-world performance and determine whether a broader market launch is viable.
The trial is part of Swisscom’s broader goal to deliver ultra-fast broadband to 85% of households and businesses in Switzerland by the end of 2020. In 2015 alone, Swisscom invested more than CHF 1.75 billion to expand its IT and network infrastructure. With the rollout of the G.fast transmission standard, the company expects to offer speeds up to 500 Mbps starting later this year in suitable locations.
Industry data places Switzerland among the leading countries for high-bandwidth coverage. Akamai ranks Switzerland first in Europe and third worldwide for availability of connections above 10 Mbps, underscoring the country’s strong broadband footprint.
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