Telecom network maker Nokia and social media company Facebook aim to accelerate the adoption of 60 GHz fixed wireless access technologies to deliver gigabit services and connect more people.

The 60 GHz band allows high-speed broadband connectivity in urban or suburban areas, complementing existing fiber.

Nokia will combine its worldwide delivery capabilities and wireless passive optical network (WPON) with Facebook’s Terragraph technology to launch global gigabit broadband trials in 2018 with select customers, Federico Guillen, president of Nokia Fixed Networks, said.

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Nokia’s wireless passive optical network (WPON) technology provides a wireless gigabit drop to the home for broadband access networks.

Facebook’s Terragraph technology is a 60 GHz, multi-node wireless system that delivers a low-cost solution for high-speed wireless access.

Combining WPON with Terragraph’s mesh-routing and multi-hop capabilities allows broadband providers to wirelessly deliver gigabit services over wider areas with high reliability and meet growing demands for ultra-broadband access.

Nokia and Facebook will also work together to accelerate IEEE’s 802.11ay industry standard, leveraging Nokia’s Wireless PON innovation and Terragraph’s efficient TDMA scheduling capabilities.

“While fiber is being pushed deeper and deeper, the physical connection to the home or apartment requires additional resources. Combining Nokia’s WPON solution with Facebook’s Terragraph 60 GHz technology, ensures the future-proofing of bandwidth while meeting competitive time-to-market and cost points,” Julie Kunstler, principal analyst, Ovum’s Next-gen Infrastructure Practice said.

Yael Maguire, VP of Connectivity, Facebook, said Terragraph is designed to help providers deploy fast and reliable connectivity for people in urban areas.