nbn® Fixed Line
This page provides information about the “Fixed Line fibre”, also called “fibre-optic”, connections provided by nbn Co.
While these connections are mainly found in Australia’s big cities, some large regional towns in Australia also have access to this network.
What is nbn Fixed Line fibre?
Picture with text. Text reads: nbn Fixed Line. Your internet and phone connection uses fibre-optic line or coaxial cable to connect to the indoor modem, which routes the internet to all your devices (laptop, desktop, phone, desktop, weather station, and so on).
nbn Fixed Line services use fibre-optic cables in the ground to deliver both internet and voice (ordinary phone) services. This is the big rollout being performed around Australia. You can see what nbn technology (nbn SkyMuster satellite, nbn Fixed Wireless or nbn Fixed Line) is available at your location by visiting the nbn rollout map and toggling on “Show service type”.
All types of nbn access network connections that utilise a physical line running to the premises (FTTP, FTTB, FTTC, FTTN, and HFC – see below) are considered Fixed Line connections.
The difference between them is how the connection gets from the main fibre-optic network to your premises.
If you have access to the Fixed Line network, you will have access to a very broad range of connection plans, speeds, and prices.
When nbn Fixed Line fibre is installed in a region, the existing copper-based phone network will be turned off within 18 months. This will impact any phone and internet services (such as ADSL) you currently have. You must sign up to an nbn plan to continue receiving voice and internet services; they will not be automatically switched across.
More information about the move to Fixed Line fibre services:
Can I get nbn Fixed Line fibre?
Use the nbn rollout map to find what nbn™ services are available in your location.
This will identify what nbn services are in your region.
The nbn fibre network must have been rolled out to your region for you to connect directly to it.
If your address doesn’t map or maps incorrectly you can contact a provider, or fill in our desk check form and we can assist in getting it fixed.
Full fibre upgrade rollout
NBN Co are currently rolling out offers of full fibre upgrades across Australia, allowing households and businesses access to nbn network’s highest residential speed tiers. These speed tiers allow activities such as:
- streaming 4K videos with ease
- playing online games with less lag;# and
- uploading and downloading files in a fraction of the time it takes on slower speed plans.
This will enable up to 10 million premises, or up to 90% homes and businesses within the fixed line footprint across Australia to access wholesale download speeds of 500Mbps to close to 1Gbps, by the end of 2025. ##
To trigger an upgrade, customers at eligible premises need to place an order with a retailer which is based on an eligible speed tier.
There are three simple steps to access a full fibre upgrade:
- Check your address on the nbn website www.nbn.com.au/fibreupgrade to see if you are in an eligible area.
- Contact a participating phone and internet provider and ask if you can order an eligible plan.
- Book an installation with your preferred phone and internet provider.
# Customer experience on nbn full fibre, including speed depends upon your internet provider, plan, equipment quality and if you use the internet at peak times.
## Regardless of the retail service you purchase, the actual wholesale speeds delivered by nbn’s highest residential wholesale speed tiers of 500 to close to 1000 Mbps will be less than 1Gbps due to equipment and network limitations and the peak information rate may fall anywhere in this range. In addition, the HFC Home Ultrafast bandwidth profile downstream service provided to retail providers is a ranged profile with a maximum sustained information rate of 750Mbps. Reference to speeds are not end user speeds; they are wholesale layer 2 peak information rate bandwidth provided to retail providers. An end customer’s experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn network, depends on the nbn access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to their premises, whether they are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of NBN Co’s control (like their equipment quality, software, chosen broadband plan, signal reception, or how their provider designs its network).
Connection types overview
FTTP
An nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection is used in circumstances where a fibre optic line will be run from the nearest available fibre node, directly to your premises.
FTTP connections require an nbn access network device to be installed inside your home. This device requires power to operate (some providers offer battery back-up devices) and can only be installed by an approved nbn installer.
Image credit: nbn™
A Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection uses fibre optic cables to connect your home or business directly to the nbn network. Voice only plans are available on FTTP, with certain providers.
For more information, visit the nbn FTTP web page.
FTTB
With a Fibre to the Building connection, an nbn fibre optic cable is laid directly to the bottom of your building, where it connects to the copper phone line that runs into your apartment or office.
An nbn Fibre to the Building (FTTB) connection is generally used when providing a connection to an apartment block or similar types of building. nbn runs a fibre-optic line to the fibre node in the building’s communications room, and then uses the existing technology in the building to connect the internet to each apartment.
Image credit: nbn
The fibre node is likely to be found in a secure cabinet in your building’s communications room.
For more information, visit the nbn FTTB web page.
FTTC
With a Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) connection, an nbn fibre optic cable is laid directly to your property’s kerb or driveway, where it connects to the copper phone line that runs into your home.
Image credit: nbn
An nbn FTTC connection is used in circumstances where fibre is extended close to your premises, connecting to a small Distribution Point Unit (DPU), generally located inside a pit on the street. From here, the existing copper network is connected to the fibre to form the final nbn connection. To power your FTTC service with electricity and provide your connection to the nbn broadband access network, an FTTC nbn connection box will be required inside your home or business. You may be able to install the connection box yourself.
For more information, visit the nbn FTTC web page.
FTTN
With a Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connection, an nbn fibre optic cable is laid to a central cabinet in your neighbourhood (the node). From there, it connects to your house or business using existing copper wiring. The speed you get will be determined by a range of factors such as how many people use your connection, and how you typically use the internet in your household.
An nbn Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connection is used where the existing copper phone and internet network from a nearby fibre node is used to make the final part of the connection to the nbn access network.
Image credit: nbn
The fibre node is likely to take the form of a street cabinet. Each street cabinet will allow the nbn access network signal to travel over a fibre optic line from the exchange to the cabinet and connect with the existing copper network to reach your premises.
For more information, visit the nbn FTTN web page.
HFC
HFC stands for “Hybrid Fibre Coaxial”. It’s used where an existing pay-TV (Foxtel) or cable network (Telstra or Optus) is available. There is no nbn HFC in regional areas.
For more information, visit the nbn HFC web page.
Understanding fixed line plans
Plans are supplied by individual internet service providers.
You can either check individual plans on the suppliers’ websites, or use a comparison site such as:
Note that while useful, comparison sites may be funded by providers advertising fees. They may not provide a comprehensive review of all available services in your area.
Speed
nbn fixed line speeds come in six speed tiers:
| Common name | nbn name | Download speed | Upload speed |
| NBN 12 | Home Basic I | 12Mbps | 1Mbps |
| NBN 25 | Home Basic II | 25Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| NBN 50 | Home Standard | 50Mbps | 20Mbps |
| NBN 100 | Home Fast | 100Mbps | 20Mbps |
| NBN 250 | Home Superfast | 250Mbps | 25Mbps |
| NBN 1000 | Home Ultrafast | 1000Mbps | 50Mbps |
The faster speed tiers may only be available in central metropolitan areas, on certain nbn Fixed Line technologies, or with a business-grade connection. For more information about business broadband, see Business.
To learn more about internet speeds and choosing an internet plan, see Discover Internet Options.
More information
- Find more information on getting connected to an nbn Fixed Line connection .