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- ADSL2+ has been replaced by NBN connections across nearly all locations in Australia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
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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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who is actually responsible for this – 7 months after moving into a new house neither Telstra nor the NBN can connect me – all they seem to do is lay more and more cable???? Even more frustrating is that I do not even have the internet connect to my house as when they laid the cable they cut everything – and the TIO is absolutely useless in helping with this claim – so someone tell – who do i have to now sue to get connected?
Hi Sean,
Thanks for your inquiry.
If that is the case, NBN may still not be ready at your location. Telstra cannot provide services at the moment because of the upgrade of the infrastructure that is going on. To check the status and development of the upgrades at your address, please fill in the name of the location using our NBN Tracker. The tracker also allows you to check the approximate time the upgrade will be done.
Hope this information helps
Cheers,
Arnold
In answer to Sean, he would be able to get 4g wireless services until the new services are available, Telstra and Vodafone (and Kogan) have this service now.
TIO would certainly be able to help with that. It’a matter of asking the right question to TIO, they only answer complaints directly.
I declined NBN connection because the Techs assured me my ADSL connection was superior. The dropout rate was so horrific they advised me to delay as long as possible. Now it appears the installing fibre to the curb for all those people who are not yet connected. Will I now have a new timetable?
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for reaching out to finder.
That’s what we’re not sure of. I would suggest that you contact your ISP to confirm. Whether or not, in the future, your ADSL will still be disconnected. So in case you’d like to be installed with NBN fibre, best to get in touch with your ISP soon.
Cheers,
May
To put it bluntly – is the Federal Government blackmailing Australians? I see no reason to switch to the NBN when my present Internet service is perfectly adequate. But my present service will be disconnected. I’ve heard that the switch is compulsory because the Government wants to boost its political reputation by making it appear that nearly all Australians have voluntarily signed up for the NBN – thus making the present government responsible for a huge breakthrough like the government that initiated the Snowy Mountains Scheme. But the NBN isn’t voluntary – it’s compulsory if you want to keep using the Internet or your landline. Additionally – maybe the government, and all the other companies mentioned in “The NBN copper cut-off: Everything you need to know” (27 March 2018), see the NBN as a new way to indulge their greed and make more money.
Hi Rodney,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We’re hearing you 100%. While we can’t really give a personal opinion on this, switching to NBN will still take place in your area and yes, that’s compulsory for all consumers. So in case you will be delaying the switch, your ISP and NBN will still contact you later on and recommend you to switch. Best to contact your ISP in case you need more information about your plan options.
Cheers,
May
Can I remain on ADSL after NBN is connected in my area?
Hi KB,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.
Yes, that’s possible, but for a limited period of time. Homes and businesses have 18 months to migrate to the NBN from the date a connection is made available. After this time, traditional copper and cable-based phone and Internet services will be severed. Ultimately, switching to the NBN will be compulsory.
In case you want to check the availability of NBN connection in your area, please go to our NBN Tracker Map. Just enter your address and press the “Go” button.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua