The NBN uses five different technologies depending on where you live. The type at your address determines what speeds are available and how you connect your modem.
FTTP — fibre to the premises
Fibre optic cable runs all the way to your home. This is the gold standard.
- Speeds available: all tiers up to nbn 1000
- Equipment: an NTD (network termination device) is installed inside your home
- Modem connection: ethernet cable from the NTD’s UNI-D1 port to your router’s WAN port
- nbn 1000 available: yes (requires a router with a 2.5GbE WAN port)
FTTP is the most reliable technology type and delivers the most consistent speeds.
FTTC — fibre to the curb
Fibre runs to a pit in the street near your home, then a short copper run into your premises (typically under 50 metres).
- Speeds available: up to nbn 100 typically, sometimes nbn 250
- Equipment: a DPU (distribution point unit) connects to your phone line socket; your router connects to this via ethernet
- Modem connection: ethernet from DPU to router WAN port
- nbn 1000 available: no
FTTC is generally reliable and speeds are close to FTTP for most users.
FTTN — fibre to the node
Fibre runs to a street cabinet (the “node”), then copper phone line from the cabinet to your home. The longer the copper run, the lower your maximum speed.
- Speeds available: up to nbn 100, but depends heavily on your distance from the node
- Equipment: your existing phone wall socket
- Modem connection: VDSL2-capable modem/router plugged into the phone socket
- nbn 1000 available: no
If you’re on FTTN and experiencing slower-than-expected speeds, it may be due to a long copper run — not something sprfst can control. You can check your sync speed via your modem’s admin interface.
HFC — hybrid fibre-coaxial
Fibre runs to a node in your street, then coaxial cable (the same cable used for pay TV) into your home. Common in areas that previously had Telstra or Optus cable.
- Speeds available: up to nbn 250 typically
- Equipment: an NTD is installed and connects to the coax outlet in your wall
- Modem connection: ethernet from the NTD’s UNI-D1 port to your router’s WAN port
- nbn 1000 available: no
Fixed Wireless
A radio signal from a nearby NBN tower connects to an antenna on your roof. Used in regional and outer suburban areas where laying cable isn’t cost-effective.
- Speeds available: nbn 25 and nbn 50 only
- Equipment: a roof-mounted antenna and an NTD inside your home
- Modem connection: ethernet from the NTD to your router’s WAN port
- nbn 1000 available: no
Fixed Wireless speeds can vary more than cable-based technologies, particularly in bad weather or during peak usage times.
how to find out which type you have
Enter your address on our coverage checker. Once you know your technology type, see understanding your speed for how it affects your plan performance. We’ll tell you which technology serves your address and which plans are available.