NBN Technology Types Explained
Understanding your NBN technology type helps you know what speeds are available and what performance to expect from your connection.
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)
Pure fibre optic cable runs directly to your home. This is the best NBN technology available.
Max Speed
Up to NBN 1000
Quality: Excellent
Advantages
- ✓Fastest speeds available (up to 1000 Mbps)
- ✓Most reliable connection
- ✓Future-proof technology
- ✓Consistent performance
- ✓Low latency
Limitations
- !Not available everywhere
- !Premium pricing for highest speeds
HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial)
Uses existing pay TV cable infrastructure. Fibre runs to your area, coaxial cable connects to your home.
Max Speed
Up to NBN 1000
Quality: Very Good
Advantages
- ✓Very fast speeds (up to 1000 Mbps)
- ✓Good reliability
- ✓Wide availability in metro areas
- ✓Established technology
Limitations
- !Shared connection can affect peak speeds
- !Quality varies by area
FTTC (Fibre to the Curb)
Fibre runs to a distribution point in your street. Copper phone line covers the final connection.
Max Speed
Up to NBN 100
Quality: Good
Advantages
- ✓Good speeds (up to 100 Mbps)
- ✓Reliable for most users
- ✓Better than FTTN
- ✓Shorter copper distance
Limitations
- !Limited to NBN 100
- !Performance depends on copper quality
- !Not suitable for highest speeds
FTTN (Fibre to the Node)
Fibre runs to a node up to 1km away. Copper phone lines connect your home to the node.
Max Speed
Up to NBN 100
Quality: Fair to Good
Advantages
- ✓Wide availability
- ✓Works with existing infrastructure
- ✓Adequate for basic needs
Limitations
- !Speed varies by distance from node
- !Copper line quality affects performance
- !May not achieve advertised speeds
- !Usually limited to NBN 50-100
FTTB (Fibre to the Building)
Designed for apartments. Fibre runs to the building, existing copper used within.
Max Speed
Up to NBN 100
Quality: Good
Advantages
- ✓Good for apartments
- ✓Decent speeds
- ✓Shared building infrastructure
Limitations
- !Limited to NBN 100
- !Building wiring quality matters
- !Shared bandwidth
Fixed Wireless
Radio signals from transmission towers. No physical cable to your property.
Max Speed
NBN 25-50
Quality: Fair
Advantages
- ✓Available in regional areas
- ✓No cable installation needed
- ✓Good alternative where fixed-line unavailable
Limitations
- !Weather can affect connection
- !Distance from tower matters
- !Limited speeds (usually 25-50 Mbps)
- !Higher latency than fixed-line
Satellite (Sky Muster)
Satellite connection for remote areas. Uses dish antenna on your property.
Max Speed
NBN 25
Quality: Basic
Advantages
- ✓Available in very remote areas
- ✓Only option for isolated locations
- ✓Better than no internet
Limitations
- !High latency
- !Limited speeds
- !Weather sensitive
- !Data usage limits may apply
- !Not suitable for gaming
How to Check Your NBN Technology Type
- 1Visit the nbn website and use their address checker tool
- 2Enter your full address including unit number if applicable
- 3The tool will show your connection type and available speeds
- 4Use this information to choose appropriate NBN plans for your connection