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NBN connection types

Ever wondered what type of NBN you have? Find the answer here and how the different types of connections work.

Man confused by ethernet cables

Key takeaways

  • The NBN comes in a few different varieties - fibre, wireless, satellite and more.
  • Where you live determines what NBN connection type you have - and you don't really get much choice.
  • The only exception to this is if you currently have an FTTN connection, your address may be eligible for a fibre upgrade to FTTP.

What are the types of NBN connections?

There are 7 NBN connection types in Australia. They're explained in more detail below, but this is a quick reference list:

  • Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
  • Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
  • Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
  • Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
  • Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC)
  • Fixed wireless
  • Satellite (Sky Muster)

The technologies with 'fibre' in the name are physical connections to your house. The fixed wireless and satellites use some sort of wirless connection - they're mostly used for rural Aussies, and are generally a bit slower and less reliable.

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Which NBN technology is best?

"I've moved across the country a lot, so I've used most of the different NBN technologies. Without a doubt, fibre connections are the best tech I've used. Even with lower a bandwidth, the latency improvement of fibre it way better than the wireless options out there. Even fibre to the node, where there's a lot of copper in the mix, is better than wireless. I've yet to use a modern 5G home wireless connection, which is probably the only NBN alternative that would come close."

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What type of NBN do I have?

To find out what technology is installed where you live, you can simply use Finder's NBN address checker. Input your address and we'll show you NBN plans available at your location, tailored to your NBN connection type.

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Select the exact address from the list:

NBN connections in detail

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

Fibre to the Premises or FTTP is a fixed-line NBN connection that uses high-speed fibre optic cables all the way from the NBN node to a connection box on your house.

  • Set-up: The NBN connection box requires power to operate. If it's not already installed, you'll need a professional to do it.
  • Speeds: FTTP can get real quick - currently up to 1000Mbps.

Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

Fibre to the Node connects you to the NBN by using the nearby fibre node's copper phone and internet network. Picture it like this: a street cabinet acts as the fibre node. The NBN signal travels from the exchange to the cabinet through a fibre optic line. From there, it hooks up with the existing copper network to connect with your place.

FTTM is slowly getting replaced by better technologies over time, but it's a long process.

  • Set-up: You only need a compatible modem to connect via this method. You don't need a technician to install anything.
  • Speed: FTTN is bottlenecked by the copper line, as well as how far you are from the node. Most FTTN homes can access at least 50Mbps, but some can get up to 100Mbps.

Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)

In an FTTC connection, fibre optic cables are run from a node to a pit somewhere outside on the street. One node may service several properties, with the final connection being via the existing copper network.

  • Set-up: An NBN connection box requiring power is needed for this connection type. An installer can set this up, or in some circumstances you may be able to set it up yourself.
  • Speed: FTTC still has some copper lines in the connection, but far less than FTTN. The technology is limited to 100Mbps, but you're more likely to get close to that speed than FTTN.

Fibre to the Building (FTTB)

A Fibre to the Building (FTTB) connection is mainly used to connect an apartment block or similar types of buildings to the NBN. Here, fibre optic cables are run to a box in your building's communications room, most likely in the basement somewhere, then connected to the rest of the building via existing technology.

If your building is old, this is likely to be copper wires, but newer buildings could have ethernet cables.

  • Set-up: A compatible modem is all that is required to connect this, with no equipment needed to be installed by a technician.
  • Speed: FTTB is much the same as FTTC. You'll connect to the building's fibre line with the building's ethernet or copper wiring, but either way the tech is limited to 100Mbps.

Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC)

With an HFC connection, it basically means the existing pay TV or cable network is used to hook you up to the NBN network. An HFC line (a coaxial cable) from the closest fibre node will run right to your place.

  • Set-up: You'll need to have an NBN network device installed where the line comes into your home, which needs power to work. This can be either installed by a professional or by you.
  • Speed: HFC uses coaxial lines that already exist in your home, so you're getting high speed right to your modem. That means you can get up to 1000Mbps.

Fixed wireless

Fixed wireless connects you to the NBN through radio signals rather than fibre optic cables. These signals are transmitted from a tower in your area to an antenna installed on your roof. You'll only have fixed wireless as your NBN technology if you're living in rural Australia, but still within line-of-sight to an NBN tower, which will normally be located near a town.

  • Set-up: An NBN connection box requiring power is needed for this and can only be installed by an approved technician.
  • Speed: Fixed wireless is surprisingly fast. Most connections can get up to 100Mbps, but some of the recently upgraded connections can get to 250Mbps.
  • Reliability: Wireless connections have higher latency, which will make online gaming harder, but that's about it. Fixed Wireless also suffers from line-of-sight issues, just like a phone or radio.

Satellite (Sky Muster)

As the name suggests, you are connected to the NBN via a satellite dish.

  • Set-up: You'll need a satellite dish installed on the roof of your home as well as an NBN-supplied modem to be installed by a technician. This modem requires power to operate.
  • Speed: Satellite is surprisingly fast - you'll have access to plans up to 100Mbps. However, you're more likely to get a speed closer to 50Mbps because of the nature of the tech.
  • Reliability: Satellite is wireless, so will have higher latency, no matter what speed tier you go for. That makes online gaming a bit more frustrating. Also, bad weather could affect the connection to your closest sattelite.

Maximum speeds of each NBN technology

Your top internet speed will vary - a lot. The underlying technology is only one of the many variables that impact your bandwidth. Oh, and bandwidth isn't the only thing that matters. That said, the table below should give you a good idea of typical top speeds for each connection type.

TechnologyTheorhetical maxMore realistic top speed
FTTP1000Mbps750Mbps
FTTN100Mbps50Mbps
FTTC100Mbps75Mbps
FTTB100Mbps75Mbps
HFC1000Mbps750Mbps
Fixed Wireless250Mbps50Mbps
Sky Muster100Mbps50Mbps

Which is the best NBN type?

Fixed-line NBN connections are generally considered the best NBN type as the quality and maximum speed of a fixed wireless connection is often more variable than fixed-line technology.

The less a copper network is used in an NBN connection, the better it's likely to be. Copper technologies can't achieve the highest speed capabilities of the network, so such connections are lacking.

That means you can expect the FTTP and HFC connection types to be the best. Neither of those use copper connections, as FTTP only uses the fibre optic network, while HFC uses coaxial cable in parts.

The September 2024 Measuring Broadband Australia report by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that FTTC and FTTP connections surpassed their plan speeds with an average download speed per service during peak hours.

Peak hours are usually the busiest time of the day for internet use, between 7pm and 11pm.

FTTC was found to reach 104% of plan speed, while for FTTP it was 103.3%. With the scores of over 100%, that means it exceeded plan speeds. These were better results compared to HFC and FTTN.


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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Utilities writer

Mark Neilsen is a writer at Finder, specialising in streaming, broadband and mobile. He looks for deals on all those services and keeps you abreast of any changes to see what's worth it for you. He has over 20 years' experience in print and digital media and while at Finder, Mark’s expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, The New Daily, Ad News, Tech Guide and news.com.au. In his time at Finder he has done over 300 articles on streaming, mobile and broadband. In his time away from Finder he is trying to get through the watchlists of the 11 streaming services he is currently subscribed to. See full bio

Mark's expertise
Mark has written 53 Finder guides across topics including:
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4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    SWJuly 12, 2017

    I’m from Victoria, roll-out map indicates my address ‘connected’ in purple while tracker says ‘there is still work to be done’. No idea why the discrepancies but would like to hear any opinion from an expert on the status or ETA of NBN deployment in my area.

    Thanks.

      Default Gravatar
      JonathanJuly 26, 2017

      Hello SW,

      Thank you for your inquiry today.

      I have checked our NBN Roll-Out Map and confirmed these results:

      nbnTM is expected to commence construction in some parts of this suburb within 3 years.

      Ready for Service: Not Available
      Disconnection Date: 08 Feb 2019
      Rollout Type: Fixed Line

      You may send an inquiry to NBN Co website to confirm the results.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

    Default Gravatar
    BarryDecember 23, 2015

    I own a unit in a Strata Title building and the NBN is getting close. I assume we will be supplied with FTTB, but I would like to have FTTP speeds.

    It is unclear whether FTTB will supply these speeds. Can you tell me if this is possible?

    Barry

      AvatarFinder
      KennethJanuary 13, 2016Finder

      Hi Barry,

      Thanks for your question.

      NBN will guarantee speeds of at least 25/5 Mbps to all Fibre to the Basement (FTTB) premises and will also offer speeds of up to 100 Mbps / 40 Mbps on FTTB — subject to a service qualification check. The availability of these higher speeds depends on factors like the condition of the copper cable to your home and the distance to your assigned node.

      Once the NBN is available and you still find that the speeds achieved are inadequate for your needs, NBN also provides an option to upgrade the technology offering to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) at your own cost. This is known as the Technology Choice Program.

      I hope this has helped.

      Cheers,
      Ken

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