Cable Internet

What was cable internet? 

Before the NBN, we talked about broadband. Cable internet was cable broadband. It offered faster speeds than DSL broadband options, like ADSL, which used old-school telephone lines to connect you to the internet. 

How did cable internet work? 

Cable broadband was quicker than DSL broadband because it used different tech: the same coaxial cable that your pay TV connection did. The cable connected to a box on your house, which you could then link up to your internet modem. 

These cable networks were owned and operated by Telstra and Optus, but they didn’t always share the same territory. This meant that you may have been stuck with the one provider due to your location. These networks, too, were really only available in big cities, so not everyone could leave DSL broadband behind them (no matter how long it took them to load the latest cat meme). 

Along with limited choice, the speed you got on cable depended in part on how many other people in your area were on the network. Congestion could mean you weren’t faring much better than the folks on DSL broadband. 

How is NBN HFC different from cable internet? 

The NBN’s HFC (hybrid fibre coaxial) connection option is just the next generation of cable internet. It even uses a mix of the old coaxial cables with new fibre-optic cables to deliver your internet connection. This improved technology means that HFC can deliver much faster speeds than cable internet. While speeds can still be affected by how many people are on the network, it won’t be anything as slow as cable internet could be. 

You also are more likely to have a choice of providers with HFC too, since the NBN has taken over the Telstra and Optus networks. The NBN upgraded some parts for HFC while phasings others out (or preparing to do so). 

How do cable internet and the NBN’s HFC internet compare? 

How do I make the switch to NBN? 

The NBN has been rolling out across Australia for some time. As standard, you have 18 months to switch your internet services to the NBN once it gets to your place. After that, the old ways of connecting to the internet, like with cable broadband or ADSL, won’t work. 

To swap from cable broadband to HFC, there’s only a few steps to follow: 

1. Get in touch with your internet provider and let them know you’re ready to get on the NBN.
2. Your provider will either give you the all-clear to go onto Step 3, or let you know an NBN-approved installer needs to add an NBN box to your place (your provider will organise this). 
3. Connect your NBN-compatible modem to your NBN connection box using an ethernet cable (your internet provider might send you a new modem for this step, or you can ask them if your current one is fine). 
4. Connect to the internet via your modem using Wi-Fi or ethernet. 

In case you’re wondering, although an HFC connection makes use of pay TV service cable, you don’t need to be currently paying for Foxtel or similar. You just need that connection to already be at your place.

Helpful tip

Switching to the NBN can be a perfect time to switch providers. Taking a moment to think about what you want from an internet connection, like speed and price, could mean you’re better able to compare your options and pick an NBN plan that offers you great value.

Where can I find and compare NBN plans? 

If you’re ready to leave the 2010s behind and jump onto the NBN, iSelect with the help of CIMET can make it happen. We make it easy to compare a range of NBN plans from different providers online,* so you can get back to posting, browsing and streaming sooner.