VDSL2 modem required
Use a compliant VDSL2 modem router or a compatible VDSL2 modem plus a separate router.
Choose the right modem or router for your NBN connection type, Wi-Fi coverage and speed. Start with the technology at your address—FTTP, HFC, FTTC, FTTN, FTTB, Fixed Wireless or Sky Muster—then match the router to your provider and network needs.
The answer depends first on your NBN technology. FTTN and FTTB are different because they deliver the service to your modem over VDSL2. FTTC, HFC and FTTP use NBN connection equipment before the router, while Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster have their own NBN-supplied access equipment.
Use a compliant VDSL2 modem router or a compatible VDSL2 modem plus a separate router.
The FTTC NBN connection box connects to the router through an Ethernet WAN connection.
The NBN HFC connection box provides the Ethernet hand-off to your router.
Your router connects by Ethernet to the active UNI-D port on the NBN connection box.
Choose the router around your provider, Wi-Fi coverage and Ethernet speed requirements.
NBN supplies the satellite access equipment; confirm the router or gateway setup with your provider.
Provider configuration can vary. If you use VoIP or other provider-managed services, confirm that a BYO router supports the required setup before replacing supplied equipment.
A good NBN router should suit both the internet service and the network inside your home or business.
The existing DeviceDeal NBN diagrams have been retained and moved into a cleaner, responsive layout. FTTC has also been added because it was missing from the old guide.
Fibre runs to a node in the local area and the final connection to the premises uses existing copper. FTTN uses VDSL2, so modem compatibility matters.
FTTB brings fibre to a building communications area, then uses the building’s copper for the final run to individual premises. Like FTTN, it uses VDSL2.
Fibre extends close to the premises, typically to a distribution point in a street pit, with existing copper completing the short final section. An NBN connection box is installed inside the premises.
HFC uses fibre through the network and coaxial cable for the final connection to the premises. NBN installs or supplies an HFC connection box that requires power.
FTTP runs fibre directly to the premises and uses an NBN connection box inside. The router connects to the active UNI-D port through Ethernet.
Fixed Wireless uses radio signals between NBN infrastructure and equipment installed at the premises. Sky Muster serves eligible regional and remote locations using satellite and NBN-supplied satellite equipment.
Current NBN wholesale speed options differ by technology and eligibility. For router shopping, the key point is that some eligible FTTP and HFC services can now exceed 1 Gbps, which can make a 1 Gigabit WAN or LAN port the bottleneck.
| Wholesale tier / technology | Current headline profile | Router implication |
|---|---|---|
| FTTN / FTTB Home Fast I | 25–100 Mbps down, 5–20 Mbps up | VDSL2 compatibility is more important than multi-gigabit Ethernet. |
| FTTC Home Fast I | 50–100 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up | Gigabit Ethernet WAN is ample for the NBN hand-off. |
| FTTP / HFC Home Fast II | 500/50 Mbps | Use Gigabit or faster WAN/LAN; good Wi-Fi matters for wireless performance. |
| FTTP / HFC Home Superfast | 750/50 Mbps | Gigabit Ethernet can still carry the service but leaves less headroom. |
| FTTP / HFC Home Ultrafast | About 1000/100 Mbps | Consider faster-than-gigabit ports if you want to avoid interface bottlenecks. |
| Eligible Home Hyperfast | 2000 Mbps down; 200 Mbps up on FTTP / 100 Mbps up on HFC | A router with multi-gigabit WAN and LAN is needed to make practical use of speeds above 1 Gbps. |
These are wholesale network profiles, not guaranteed end-user speeds. Retail plan availability and real-world performance depend on address eligibility, technology, provider, network conditions and customer equipment.
Concise answers to the questions shoppers most often need resolved before choosing an NBN modem, router or mesh system.
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is Australia’s wholesale broadband access network. It uses several fixed-line, fixed wireless and satellite technologies, so the equipment you need can differ by address and connection type.
Choose an internet provider and an NBN-powered plan available at your address. Your provider organises the service and, where required, installation of NBN equipment. The connection technology available to the premises is determined by the network serving that address.
Check your address with your internet provider or an NBN address checker. The important technology names for router selection are FTTP, HFC, FTTC, FTTN, FTTB, Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster satellite.
Not always. It depends on your NBN technology, your provider’s configuration requirements and the capabilities of your existing equipment. FTTN and FTTB require a compatible VDSL2 modem, while several other NBN technologies use NBN-supplied connection equipment and an Ethernet WAN router.
FTTN and FTTB use VDSL2. You need a VDSL2 modem router, or a compatible VDSL2 modem connected to a separate router. The modem must meet NBN network requirements, so confirm compatibility with your provider, retailer or equipment manufacturer before buying.
FTTC uses an NBN connection box inside the premises. The connection box links to your router by Ethernet, so you normally need a router with a suitable Ethernet WAN port rather than a DSL modem for the NBN hand-off.
HFC uses an NBN connection box connected to the coaxial wall outlet. Your router connects to that NBN box by Ethernet, so choose a router with an Ethernet WAN port and confirm any provider-specific setup requirements.
FTTP uses NBN fibre equipment and an NBN connection box inside the premises. A router connects to the active UNI-D port by Ethernet. For faster FTTP plans, choose router WAN and LAN ports that can handle the speed you intend to purchase.
NBN Fixed Wireless uses NBN-installed equipment at the premises and your router connects to the service over Ethernet. Router choice should focus on provider compatibility, Wi-Fi coverage, Ethernet performance and the speed tier available at the address.
Sky Muster uses NBN-supplied satellite equipment, including equipment inside the premises. Your provider supplies or specifies the gateway or router needed to connect your local network. Confirm the required setup with the provider before replacing that equipment.
Often yes, but the router must suit your NBN connection type and your provider’s network settings. Some providers may require particular authentication, VLAN, voice or support settings, so check BYO-router requirements before purchasing.
A standard ADSL-only modem will not work as the modem for FTTN or FTTB. Those technologies use VDSL2. Some combination modem routers support both ADSL and VDSL2, but compatibility with NBN requirements still needs to be confirmed.
No. On technologies such as FTTP, HFC and FTTC, the NBN connection box provides the network hand-off. A separate router creates your home or business network, provides Wi-Fi, manages local devices and usually supplies Ethernet LAN ports.
NBN wholesale speed availability depends on technology, address and provider. Current higher fixed-line tiers on eligible FTTP and HFC services include Home Fast II at 500/50 Mbps, Home Superfast at 750/50 Mbps, Home Ultrafast at about 1000/100 Mbps and Home Hyperfast at 2000 Mbps download, with different upload profiles for FTTP and HFC.
Yes. Wi-Fi standard, signal strength, router processing power, WAN and LAN port speeds, cabling and the capabilities of the connected device can all become bottlenecks. A fast NBN service does not guarantee the same speed over Wi-Fi in every room.
No. Wi-Fi 7 is not required to connect to the NBN. It can be useful for newer devices, busy networks and very fast services, but Wi-Fi 6 or 6E can still be an excellent choice. Match the router to your devices, coverage needs, budget and NBN speed.
Mesh Wi-Fi can be useful in larger, multi-storey or difficult homes where one router does not provide reliable coverage. It does not change the speed of your NBN service, but it can improve how consistently that connection reaches devices around the property.
Wi-Fi performance varies with distance, walls, interference, radio band, router placement, the client device and how many devices are active. Test with a suitable Ethernet connection when troubleshooting so you can separate NBN or provider performance from in-home Wi-Fi performance.
NBN connection equipment and Wi-Fi routers generally require mains power. Whether any service continues during an outage depends on the NBN technology, equipment and any backup power arrangement. Ask your provider about power-failure behaviour, especially for phone, medical or alarm services.
Confirm your NBN technology, provider BYO-router requirements, whether you need VDSL2 or Ethernet WAN, the speed of the WAN and LAN ports, Wi-Fi generation, coverage or mesh needs, Ethernet port count, security features and any VoIP requirements. For services above 1 Gbps, multi-gigabit Ethernet capability becomes particularly important.
