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How to check your address for nbn®
The NBN Co completed the initial build/rollout of the national broadband network (nbn) in the second half of 2020. Work on the network continues, with the focus now shifting to improving connectivity in regional and remote areas of the country and improving the speed of the nbn to users in major centres. So, chances are your address is nbn-ready and all you need to do now is sign up with a nbn service provider to arrange for the final installation and connection.
Our nbn rollout map is a handy way to check your address for nbn®. Pay attention to the Technology used section shown for your address, it will prove useful for all the next steps.
Customers currently connecting to the internet using ADSL technology, and customers with a home phone using the copper line network have up to 18 months from when their address becomes nbn, ready to switch to the nbn or an alternative. The nbn replaces ADSL and the ageing copper network, with the old network being shut down once the nbn is available. Your current telephony and internet services provider will warn you ahead of time of the planned shutdown of the old network.
What are the different types of nbn technology used?
NBN Co chose to use a mix of old and new technologies to speed up the rollout of the nbn. While they all connect to the nbn, they do also influence your installation and the types of speeds you might enjoy. The different types of technology used are:
| nbn Technology | What It Is | Top Speed Supported |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) | Fibre optic cable connects your home directly to the nearest fibre node. A nbn connection box and power supply unit might be installed inside your home, separate to the modem or router. | All speed tiers up to a theoretical maximum speed of 1Gbps 1. |
| Fibre to the Node (FTTN) | Existing phone line connects your home to the nearest fibre node, and a fibre optic cable connects the node to the exchange. No nbn connection box is used; your modem connects directly to your existing phone socket. | Theoretical maximum download speed of up to 100Mbps. |
| Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) | Multiple homes connect to a Distribution Point Unit (DPU) using existing phone lines. The DPU is installed in the street and connects to the nearest node using fibre optic cables. Your modem will connect to a nbn connection box that will be installed inside your home. | All speed tiers up to a theoretical maximum speed of 500Mbps 1. |
| Fibre to the Building (FTTB) | Used in apartment buildings and multi-unit residential buildings. Existing technology connects each apartment or unit to a fibre node in the building's basement or communications room. Fibre optic cables connect the node to the exchange. | All speed tiers up to a theoretical maximum speed of 100Mbps. |
| Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC) | This uses your existing ‘pay TV’ or cable network connection to connect to the nearest fibre node, which connects to the exchange via fibre optic cables. An nbn connection box will also be installed in your home. | All speed tiers up to a theoretical maximum speed of 1Gbps1. |
| Fixed Wireless | In regional and some rural locations, distance makes traditional nbn installations impossible. A nbn connection box and antenna will be installed on your property, and this connects wirelessly to nbn transmission towers located up to 14 kilometres away. | All speed tiers up to a theoretical maximum speed of 75Mbps. |
| Sky Muster Satellite Service | Used to connect people living in remote areas. Your modem connects to a rooftop satellite dish that communicates with two orbiting satellites. Customers whose only option is satellite can keep their existing phone service for making and receiving phone calls. | A Fair Use Policy (FUP) applies to the satellite service, which can affect supported theoretical maximum speeds of up to 25Mbps. |
1 This maximum theoretical speed is not currently available on the nbn.
Once you know the technology used or available at your address, you can also prepare for what to expect during the nbn installation if it is your first time getting connected to the nbn.
What nbn plans are available for my address?
The nbn started out with only three speed tiers available to customers, usually represented as three plans offered by nbn retail service providers. In early 2020, two new wholesale speed tiers were introduced by NBN Co, nbn250 and nbn1000, which retail service providers are now starting to offer in addition to the original three plans.
All Fixed Line connections support the original three plans or speed tiers, with theoretical maximum speeds of up to 100Mbps. One of the two newer speed tiers, however, is only available to customers with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), and Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC) connection types, with the other only available with FTTP and HFC technology.
Fixed Wireless connections can only access two entry-level to basic plans with theoretical maximum download speeds of up to 25 and 50Mbps, with Fixed Wireless Plus offering access to theoretical maximum speeds of up to 75Mpbs. Actual speeds will be affected by cell congestion. Satellite nbn service, which is reserved for customers in remote areas, can only choose between two entry-level plans.
Can I change my nbn technology to FTTP?
NBN Co has said that all premises have the potential to support FTTP technology. However, the cost of installing this technology at all addresses is high, which is why NBN Co chose to use a mix of old and new technology instead.
Their Technology Choice Program allows customers to apply to have their nbn connection technology upgraded to FTTP, but with the customer being responsible for any costs involved. You need to submit your application to change nbn technology directly to NBN Co.
