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What is FTTN?

How does FTTN work?

Who can access FTTN?

How fast is FTTN?

Is FTTN the standard connection for the NBN?

How are fixed-line connections different from other connection options?

What equipment do I need for FTTN?

How do I get FTTN?

How can I tell which NBN connection I have?

Can I upgrade my NBN connection?

Ready to compare NBN plans?

Long story short

FTTN connects homes using a mix of fibre and copper

This setup makes it cheaper to roll out, but can impact speed and reliability.

FTTN’s reliability depends on how close you are to the node

If your speeds are suffering, check whether you’re eligible to upgrade to fibre to the premises (FTTP) – or try ethernet or 5G.

FTTP is the fastest NBN option currently available

It skips the copper network entirely for better performance – but switching to it may involve added costs and conditions.

What is FTTN?

FTTN is an NBN fixed-line connection that uses fibre-optic cables and our existing copper phone lines to connect a central NBN hub or node to your home. Fibre-optic cables run to your nearest NBN node, and then existing copper phone lines cover the final stretch to your home.

How does FTTN work?

FTTN networks operate through a mix of high-speed fibre-optic cables used for the NBN, copper phone lines and nodes or street NBN hubs. Your fibre-optic cables connect to the node and your existing phone line connects the node to your home.

The NBN network is made up of fibre-optic cables that stretch out across the country, some of which run into centralised hubs within your community, which are called fibre nodes. ‘Node’ may sound a bit out of this world, but they’re kind of like street cabinets or connection boxes, and you’ve probably seen them around without even realising. These cabinets get the NBN much closer to your home, but don’t quite allow the signal to reach you. Once fibre-optic cables are connected to the nearest node, existing phone copper lines or internet service lines come in to connect the node to your home. Unlike older internet technology, FTTN only uses copper line for around 450 meters to achieve higher speeds. And voila … your home is connected to the NBN!

Who can access FTTN?

Most homes and businesses in Australia should have access to FTTN, but the exact details depend on the infrastructure around your premises. If you have access to existing copper lines and a nearby node, you should get access to the NBN through an FTTN connection. If you’re not sure, you can search your address on the NBN website to see your home’s connection status, NBN options and what to do next.

If you’re keen to switch to an alternative NBN fibre technology, you can apply for an individual premises switch, but keep in mind that this could be expensive.

Helpful tip

FTTN uses the existing copper phone line network, which makes it quicker and cheaper to roll out – but that comes with trade-offs. The further you are from your local node, the more your speed and reliability can drop. There’s no real way around it, it’s just the limitation of technology.

To improve your connection speeds, check whether you’re eligible for an FTTP upgrade. This usually involves signing up for a higher speed plan for a while, but the benefits of a more reliable fibre connection are hard to beat. If upgrading isn’t an option, try using a more direct ethernet connection for better stability than wi-fi. It could also be worth looking into alternative non-NBN connections like fixed 5G or 4G wireless plans.

Julia Paszka

General Manager – Utilities & Credit Cards

How fast is FTTN?

FTTN connection speeds range from around 47 megabits per second (Mbps) to nearly 88 Mbps. The actual speed performance depends on how close you are to the fibre node (which affects signal quality) and the quality of cabling in your home.

The speed of your FTTN can also be impacted by the internet plan you choose and your chosen service provider. Each provider will have their own configuration and management processes for it’s NBN services, which could also mean a difference in speed to other providers.

Is FTTN the standard connection for the NBN?

No, FTTN isn’t considered the standard. It was more common at the start of the NBN rollout, but its numbers are slowly declining as more advanced connection options become available to more households. The NBN is currently performing an upgrade that will see all fibre to the curb (FTTC) and most FTTN connections switched to FTTP by 2030. FTTP is a connection where all cables are high-speed fibre optic, not copper lines.

How does FTTN differ from other fixed-line connections?

Compared to fibre to the building (FTTB), FTTC and FTTP connections, FTTN uses the most copper wiring in its infrastructure. Other than FTTP, all these connections use a combination of copper and fibre cables – and the more copper, the slower internet speeds tend to be.

FTTC

FTTC uses fibre-optic cables leading up to the curb, a pole or a telecommunication pit outside your home. From there, you’ll be connected through an existing copper line. This means faster speeds than FTTN options. This is your option in between FTTN and FTTP in terms of speed.

FTTP

FTTP goes that little bit further, with a fibre-optic cable running all the way to your actual house. It’s pretty similar to FTTN, except that, because it doesn’t use any copper, it can reach faster and more reliable internet speeds.

FTTB

FTTB is similar to FTTN, except that the node for FTTB connections isn’t out on the street outside your home but in a room within the building, called a main distribution frame. It’s more common in apartment and commercial buildings.

How are fixed-line connections different from other connection options?

Fixed-line connections run on fixed cable lines, like fibre-optic cable lines, while other NBN connections use different types of technology, like radio waves or satellite signals. Fixed-line connections can offer faster speeds and more reliability than other connection types and are also less prone to signal issues when being sent along further distances.

What equipment do I need for FTTN?

An FTTN connection needs a VDSL2-compatible modem, which should be supplied by your internet provider. You can use a modem you already have, as long as it’s VDSL2 compatible. You can connect your modem to your device using an ethernet cable if you’d like to, but other than that, no other equipment is needed.

How do I get FTTN?

To get an FTTN connection, you’ll need to confirm NBN availability at your address through the NBN website and sign up to an NBN plan. If your home can be hooked up by NBN, then all you need to do is get in touch with your preferred internet service provider to arrange for your home or business to be connected. Once your provider (or an authorised NBN technician) has completed your connection installation, simply plug in your modem and away you go.

How can I tell which NBN connection I have?

To tell what NBN connection you have, you can use the NBN’s service availability checker to see if your home or business has been NBN-enabled. Once you enter your address, you should see the NBN available at your premises; this can be one or more. You can also check the details of your internet plan or modem to see what type of NBN you connection you have.

Can I upgrade my NBN connection?

Yes, you can update your NBN connection type, but what you can upgrade to will depend on what’s available at your home. For homes with an Fibre to the node (FTTN) or fibre to the curb (FTTC) connection, you could be eligible for an upgrade for a full fibre connection through an fibre to the premises (FTTP) setup. Certain connections could come with a change to your NBN infrastructure; in these cases, it’s best to enquire with the NBN Technology Choice Program.

Ready to compare NBN plans?

While you may not always have much choice when it comes to exactly how your home is connected to the NBN, you can, however, choose your own internet provider. With iSelect you can compare online from a range of brands and providers. To start comparing to find the right broadband plan for your home, just hop online.