Know your HFCs and FTTPs: Making sense of nbn technology
Australia’s national broadband network is in its final stages of rollout, with most Australian homes now connected to the nbn.
Due to the immense cost and complexity of installing the new network, NBN Co utilised a mix of new and existing technologies to reach each of the millions of homes connected.
This means that different locations around the country have different nbn technology types. If you’re thinking of signing up to an nbn plan, or want to understand the factors that influence the speeds you receive at home, it’s helpful to understand your technology type.
It's also helpful to understand that you don't get to choose the nbn connection type you have. The way your home or business connects to the nbn network is dictated by the technology that NBN Co has connected to your premises based on your area.
Types of nbn connections
There are six main methods used to connect homes to the nbn network.
1. Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
With an optical fibre leading directly to the premises, FTTP is generally said to be the highest performing nbn connection type.
Due to the complexity and cost of laying new fibre to each individual installation, it is also the least common.
Compatible Telstra nbn plans: Standard, Standard Plus, Premium, Superfast Add-On and Ultrafast Add-On.
2. Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
The most common nbn connection types are Fibre to the Node and Fibre to the Building.
FTTN brings optical fibre to a central point on your street (or nearby street), known as a "node”. From here, it utilises existing copper wire infrastructure to connect to a wall socket inside your premises.
Utilising a mix of new optical fibre and existing copper line networks allowed a faster rollout of the nbn, however, an FTTN connection isn't capable of reaching the potential speeds of having fibre installed directly to the premises (FTTP).
Compatible Telstra nbn plans: Standard, Standard Plus, Premium (select FTTN connections only).
3. Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
FTTB is the most common connection type for units, apartment buildings and many commercial buildings.
As with FTTN, an optical fibre leads to a central point in the building’s communications room, which then connects to your premises via the internal wiring already present (usually copper in older buildings, or ethernet cables in newer buildings).
Compatible Telstra nbn plans: Standard, Standard Plus, Premium (selected FTTB connections only).
4. Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
With an optical fibre leading to a small telecommunications pit or pole outside your home, FTTC lies somewhere between the more complex FTTP connection and the simpler yet potentially lower-performing FTTN connection.
It typically delivers faster potential speeds than Fibre to the Node connections, as the optical fibre network leads much closer to your connection point.
Compatible Telstra nbn plans: Standard, Standard Plus, Premium
5. Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
HCF connections utilise existing cable TV technology. Optical fibre leads to a node in your street, with a final stretch of coaxial cable to your premises. It has the potential to deliver fast download speeds, and is often compatible with our Superfast and Ultrafast nbn Add-Ons.
Compatible Telstra nbn plans: Standard, Standard Plus, Premium, Superfast Add-On (most HFC connections) and Ultrafast Add-On (some HFC connections).
6. Fixed Wireless
This technology is used in regional areas where it is not practical to lay physical fibre to connect to the network.
A fixed antenna is installed on the roof, which receives a signal from your local nbn wireless tower. Internal wiring then leads to the nbn connection box inside your premises.
Compatible Telstra nbn plans: Fixed Wireless Basic, Fixed Wireless Standard, Fixed Wireless Standard Plus.
What type of nbn connection do I have?
Find out what technology type is connecting you to the nbn network.
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You can connect to the nbn® network via Hybrid Fibre Coaxial technology.
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You can connect to the nbn® network via Fibre to the Premises technology.
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You can connect to the nbn® network via Fibre to the Building technology.
Actual FTTB speeds will be confirmed once you’re connected.
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You can connect to the nbn® network via Fibre to the Node technology.
Actual FTTN speeds will be confirmed once you’re connected.
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You can connect to the nbn® network via Fibre to the Curb technology.
Actual FTTC speeds will be confirmed once you’re connected.
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You can connect to the nbn® network via Fixed Wireless technology.
Great! You can get connected via Cable now
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Our cable plans are nbn-ready so you can switch easily when the nbn arrives. For updates check the nbn rollout map.
To connect to CABLE, contact our messaging team.
Great! You can get connected via ADSL now
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Our ADSL plans are nbn-ready so you can switch easily when the nbn arrives. For updates check the nbn rollout map.
To connect to ADSL, contact our messaging team.
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You can connect to the Opticomm access network. Please call us on 13 22 00 to find out more and connect.
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You can connect to Telstra Velocity. Please call us on 1800 008 994 to find out more and connect.
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You can connect to Telstra 5G Wireless Internet.
Woo-hoo! Your address is nbn-ready.
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Make the switch now to secure, fast nbn with Telstra. Your fixed phone line is included at no extra cost and you can keep your existing number.
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Let's talk about speeds
When you're streaming a show on BINGE or Netflix, browsing the web, or scrolling through social media, you're downloading data from the internet. So download speeds can be pretty important since they dictate how quickly you're able to send and receive data.
These days, most home internet connections and plans can handle emails and web browsing with ease. However, if you're wanting to stream in high definition or play the latest games on Xbox, or have multiple people in the house doing both at the same time, then you'll need to think more about your potential nbn speeds.
Whichever nbn plan you choose, the speeds you experience may be lower due to various factors, including your in-home setup and wiring. If you have an FTTN/B/C connection, your maximum attainable speeds will be confirmed post-connection.
How to choose an nbn plan
The number of internet users in your home and what they are using the internet for is your best guide to help you choose the perfect nbn plan.
For small households of 1-3 people browsing, video streaming in SD, emails & social media, our Standard plan is suitable. It offers 25Mbps typical download speeds between 7pm-11pm.
For families of 4-7 people browsing, streaming one HD video and concurrent file downloading, our Standard Plus plan is ideal. It offers 50Mbps typical download speeds between 7pm-11pm. (Not available to most FTTN customers).
For larger families, our Premium plan can support 6 or more people browsing, multiple streaming in HD, serious gaming, concurrent downloading. It offers 100Mbps typical download speeds between 7pm-11pm. (Not available to most FTTN customers).
Note, the speeds you experience may be lower due to various factors including your in-home setup and wiring. For FTTN/B/C customers, your maximum attainable speeds will be confirmed after connection.
High speed options for super connected homes
For customers with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or some Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections, our Premium internet plan has add-on options capable of delivering our fastest speeds ever.
With our Superfast and Ultrafast speed add-ons you can stream big, game hard, work, study and play all under one roof.
Superfast
Amazing capability for larger households with lots of users connected with high-demand devices, with 215Mbps typical evening download speeds 7pm-11pm.
Ultrafast
The fastest nbn connection we offer, with 700Mpbs typical download speeds 7pm-11pm. Ready for the most demanding households with multiple high-demand devices.
To see if your home is eligible, check your address using the tool above. If you have an FTTP or HFC connection and you're eligible, you'll see Superfast and Ultrafast options when you select your plan.
Note, speeds experienced may be lower due to factors including in-home set up and wiring.
Reliable home Wi-Fi with Telstra Smart Modem
Exclusive to Telstra, our Smart Modem is included at no cost for new customers who stay connected for 24 months.
Delivering enhanced speed, range and reliability, it targets your devices with a concentrated signal to deliver fast Wi-Fi where you need it, and switches to our 4G network if the nbn network has an outage — ensuring a more reliable and consistent coverage around the home.
For larger homes with hard to reach areas, our Smart Modem can also be paired with Telstra Smart Wi-Fi Boosters.
4G coverage required. 4G speeds capped at 25/2 Mbps. Actual speeds may be lower.
