Ultrabroadband

Ultrabroadband is a term used to describe communications networks and services that provide substantially higher data rates and lower latency than traditional broadband. The definition is not standardized and the term is used variably by regulators, industry groups, and providers. In general, ultrabroadband refers to networks capable of multi-gigabit per second speeds, often at symmetrical or near-symmetrical bandwidths, and with latency low enough for real-time applications. It encompasses both fixed and wireless technologies and is viewed as the next tier beyond conventional broadband.

Fixed ultrabroadband infrastructure relies on advanced fiber-optic networks, such as fiber to the premises or high-capacity passive optical networks, sometimes combined with high-bandwidth Ethernet backbones and WDM. In some cases, very high-speed cable modems (DOCSIS 3.1/4.0) and next-generation satellite links are also described as ultrabroadband when delivering multi-gigabit services. Wireless ultrabroadband uses elevated spectrum bands (such as millimeter wave and high C-band frequencies) and technologies like massive MIMO and beamforming, integrated with next-generation mobile networks (5G-Advanced and beyond) and fixed wireless access.

Common applications include high-definition and ultra-high-definition video streaming, cloud computing, remote work and education, virtual and augmented reality, telemedicine, and industrial automation that require high bandwidth and low latency. The term is primarily used in policy and market contexts to indicate ambitious targets for nationwide connectivity and to benchmark against traditional broadband. There is no universal standard defining the precise speed or technology set for ultrabroadband, and the term's usage varies by country and operator.