NBN cut-off date in your suburb
ADSL has now been cut off across most of Australia. Here are your alternatives.
Key takeaways
- ADSL2+ has been replaced by NBN connections across nearly all locations in Australia
- ADSL is still available upon direct request, but only in very limited circumstances
- Use our NBN tracker to see which technologies are available in your area
NBN disconnection date
When the NBN became available in a particular area, users were given approximately 18 months to switch over before their old ADSL connections were switched off.
If you didn't arrange to switch to the NBN within that period, your existing internet and phone services was disconnected automatically.
The final phase of these disconnections wrapped up around June 2022. This means you have almost certainly been notified that the NBN is available in your suburb and made the switch already.
(Not sure? Enter your address in the Finder NBN tracker to see which NBN technologies are available in your area.)
If you're not happy with the NBN for whatever reason, you might want to consider one of the alternatives outlined in this guide.
Is switching to the NBN compulsory?
No, it isn't. The NBN might be seen as the "normal" choice for home internet, but it doesn't mean it's your only choice.
Home wireless broadband is a relatively new connection type that allows you to wirelessly connect to the internet. It uses the same mobile networks as your phone plan to set up this connection.
Unlike NBN plans which are tied to your address, you can easily move residences with your home wireless – all that's needed is to plug in the modem it comes with.
Did you know?
Mobile networks are subject to variable connection quality based on weather, cloud cover, trees and your location. By fixing your modem in a spot that has a strong signal and not moving it, you get a stronger, more consistent connection.
Mobile broadband is a more flexible and portable version of home wireless. Modems can be carried around almost anywhere, but you'll end up getting a lot less data for your money in exchange.
There's also satellite broadband which transmits internet data between your home and satellites in space. The provide widespread coverage, which is great for rural users, but are more susceptible to changes in the weather which can result in a less reliable signal.
You can find out more about NBN alternatives here.
Can I still get ADSL in Australia?
Yes - but only in very limited circumstances.
The NBN cut-off date did not apply to those in fixed wireless or Sky Muster NBN areas. (Only suburbs where fixed-line NBN was being rolled out had their ADSL cut off.)
ADSL and copper telephone line services have been left intact in these suburbs, with no current plans to cut these particular copper lines.
The remaining copper lines are mostly in rural Australia with all ADSL connections managed by Telstra.
"We no longer offer ADSL to new customers," a Telstra spokesperson explained to Finder. "For any non-NBN locations Starlink is offered. Where customers are on existing ADSL we maintain that service."
What else got cut off by the NBN?
In addition to ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+, the following services were also discontinued:
- Telstra home phone or landline services (excluding some Telstra Velocity lines)
- Other home phone or landlines using Telstra's copper network
- Existing Telstra BigPond cable internet connections
- Optus cable internet and cable phone services
- Security or fire alarms and fax machines connected to the existing copper network
But you did get to keep:
- Satellite and cable TV (cable TV can be switched across to the NBN)
- Fixed wireless or NBN Sky Muster satellite broadband
Compare NBN plans
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How we picked theseHow the Finder Score helps you find a better broadband plans
We designed the Finder Score to simplify your search for the best NBN and Home Wireless plans. By analysing hundreds of options from over 40 providers, we evaluate pricing, speeds, data allowances and plan features. Each factor is weighted and combined to generate a score out of 10 — helping you quickly spot the most competitive plans on the market. Read the full breakdown.
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How can the Government say that everyone is going to be on NBN when my area is still on copper line from the house to the junction box on my street then to about 2 kilo meter or 3 away from a main junction?
Hi C Valentino,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
It could be that your area isn’t NBN ready yet. We do have an NBN tracker where you can check the availability of NBN in your area.
If you have confirmed that your area isn’t NBN ready yet, you would have to wait. You can also ask NBN when your area would be accommodated. On the other hand, if your area is already NBN ready, then you would need to directly get in touch with your provider and arrange the move of your connection to NBN.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
We are with W3 Networks. Do we have to change?
Hi Janet,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
You don’t have to change since W3 Networks offers wireless connection.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
What about cable customers that were given access, then had it suspended due to Telstra’s bogus contract with NBN?
We’ve just been given a letter we can proceed, so how long do we have? 18 months from the original date, or the new date?
Hi Dawesi,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Regarding your query, it is best to clarify that with your provider. They will contact NBN Co about any changes that happen/will happen in your area.
If you are looking for a page you can use as a reference for NBN links and contacts for consumers like you, please check out the ACMA official page.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
My mum has no computer devices at home but has a Telstra land line.
What will she need to do to keep her landline?
Hi Gotti,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Australia is currently undergoing a digital transformation from a predominantly copper network, to the national rollout of the Multi Technology Mix (MTM), predominantly on a fibre network. This will affect the way you currently use your landline, particularly in a power outage. I recommend that you move your services over to the nbn™ access network well before they are switched off, which occurs 18 months after the network is switched on in your area. So please contact your provider regarding your mother’s homephone.
As per surveys, homephones would completely vanish by 2037.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Landlines will always be used. Business isn’t going to just move to mobiles just because of a survey. They will just move to voip, as most have already.
Technology changes, people and habits don’t. It’s 2018 and we still use phones, we always will, just _how_ we use them changes, but one thing is for sure cellular phones will not be the standard once lawsuits start rolling for the danger (already proven) they emit through transmissions the brain.
I.e. skype is a landline, as is facebook messenger video and voice – it’s just through wifi.
Also considering the lawsuits on using mobiles have started (as they have now been proven to cause cancer in your brain), I’m sure that businesses will move back to voip in an effort to avoid class actions against employers who only provide mobiles.
I have been informed that NBN will not roll out to my suburb in the foreseeable future. The problem is that my suburb is too far from the centre of town(about 5kms from the Orange PO) That is great news as I have ADSL2 without dropouts. I have been told that the dodgy wireless would be the only option. Fortunately, covenants on my property prohibit ugly satellite dishes.
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your message and for visiting Finder.
It’s great to hear that you’ll have better broadband service near your area. Since you are just 5kms shy from the town center, surely, the service will get better soon. You can check our list of NBN plans to be updated. Just enter your exact location and it will show you the services offered in your area.
Once you have chosen a particular plan, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Cheers,
Nikki