What is NBN Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and is it any good?
FTTN is one of several NBN technologies available. However, it's often criticised for speeds and reliability due to the reliance on copper wiring.
Key takeaways
- Fibre to the Node, or FTTN for short, connects homes via copper wires from a nearby fibre node.
- Speeds depend on copper length. Longer distances can mean slower speeds and more dropouts, especially during peak times (7-11pm).
- The fastest speed on an FTTN connection is 100Mbps download and 40Mbps upload on an NBN 100 plan..
- Some homes may be eligible for an upgrade to FTTP for faster and more reliable internet.
What is FTTN and how does it work?
FTTN NBN connects your home using a mix of fibre and old copper wiring. Fibre runs to a nearby street cabinet (the node), and copper completes the connection to your place.
It's still one of the most common NBN connection types, with around 2.6 million homes using it, according to the ACCC. But that number has been dropping since May 2022 as more people take advantage of free fibre upgrades where available.
With the government further investing $3 billion to upgrade around 622,000 homes and businesses, FTTN numbers will likely keep shrinking.
You can head to NBN's website and enter your address to see your connection type and whether you're eligible for an upgrade
What is the maximum speed you can get on an FTTN connection?
FTTN relies on copper wiring, which limits how fast it can go. The maximum speed is 100Mbps, but actual performance depends on factors like the length of copper used and network congestion.
Because FTTN uses a shared node, speeds can vary, and you might not always get the top speeds listed on your plan. According to the ACCC, FTTN connections reach around 93.7% of their plan speed during busy hours (7–11pm), when internet traffic is highest.
Keep in mind that your actual speed also depends on things like your hardware and how many people are online at the same time.
Compare FTTN NBN plans
You can use the table sorter to filter plans based on your budget and need for speed. We've included NBN 12, NBN 25, NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans.
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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.
How do you set up FTTN?
Setting up an FTTN connection is easy as there's not really anything that needs to be professionally installed. All you'll need is:
- A compatible modem given by your provider - this should come with instructions on how to set it up. Depending on the provider, you may also be able to BYO modem.
- A telephone socket - you'll need to connect your modem to the telephone socket and plug it into a power outlet. From there, you can plug in your devices via ethernet cable or connect via WiFi.
Unless you need a telephone wall socket installed within your premises, no additional equipment will be installed to set up a FTTN connection.
How does FTTN compare to other NBN connection types?
Fibre to the Node is considered the slowest and least reliable of NBN connections due to the amount of copper involved.
Here's a look at how FTTN stacks up against the other NBN connection types:
FTTN vs FTTP
A Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection is where a fibre optic line extends directly from the fibre node to your premises. Since FTTP solely has fibre for its entire connection, without any copper wiring, it is widely acknowledged as the fastest and most dependable NBN option available.
As such, you can get higher speed plans on an FTTP connection like NBN 250 or NBN 1000, which you can't get with FTTN.
FTTN vs FTTC
FTTN and FTTC (Fibre to the Curb) share a similarity in utilising copper wire for the final segment of the NBN connection. However, the primary distinction lies in the extent of copper wire employed.
In the case of FTTC, the length of copper between the distribution point and the properties connecting via this method is typically less than 300m. On an FTTN connection, the node can be situated up to a kilometre away from the properties.
The transmission of signals through copper cables results in a loss of strength, and the longer the distance, the slower the connection becomes. Consequently, FTTC theoretically offers more reliable speeds compared to FTTN.
FTTN vs HFC
An HFC, or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial connection, leverages the existing pay TV or cable network to link your home to an NBN node. Unlike FTTN, which relies on less efficient copper wiring for the final connection, HFC takes advantage of coaxial cable, leading to generally better performance.
FTTN vs FTTB
FTTB (Fibre To The Building) connections involve running a fibre optic cable to a node in a building's communications room. From there, existing technology within the building is employed to connect each apartment to the NBN.
Because FTTB connections utilise less copper wiring, they are generally considered somewhat superior. This would especially be the case in newer buildings where ethernet cables are installed instead of older copper wiring.
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