Frequently Asked Questions

> What is the NBN

> How do I get NBN

> Different NBN types

> Do I need an NBN Router

> How does this guide work

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Types of NBN

> Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

> Fibre to the Building (FTTB)

> Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)

> Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

> Fixed Wireless and Satellite

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NBN:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NBN?

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is a new, high speed internet infrastructure in Australia.

NBN isn’t a single technology, it’s a range of different technologies that connect together. Depending on your location, existing infrastructure and rollout schedule, your location will be connected to the NBN via one of a number of different connection options.

The goal of the Australian Government is that a high percentage of Australia will be connected to the NBN with a minimum connection speed of 25MB per second. 

Do I need to buy an NBN router?

Your existing Internet Service Provider (ISP) will organise your NBN connection when it is available in your area. You can also select from a large number of ISP’s to pick the best package for you. You won’t be able to select the type of NBN connection to your location but if you plan on purchasing a new router, the connection type you have is extremely important

NBN:

Different types of NBN

> FTTN    |    > FTTB    |    > HFC    |    > FTTP    |    > Fixed Wireless

Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

Using this connection type, the fibre optic cable runs to your street node, before switching to the 
existing underground copper to cover the remaining distance to your premises. This wiring is the same kind of cabling used for landline and ADSL services prior to the NBN.

Although it uses the same cables and wall sockets as ADSL, FTTN uses VDSL technology which is much faster. The use of FTTN nodes means less copper than ADSL, which links a premise to an ISP exchange building.

While your internet speeds on NBN are based on what plan you decide to choose from your service provider, the maximum theoretical speed is actually determined by how close your premises is to the node, the closer you are, the closer to maximum speeds you will get from your NBN plan. It should be noted that the quality of the copper line in your area/street can also have an impact on performance.

Close to 50% of Australian households will be connected to the NBN via FTTN. If you connect to the internet through ADSL, then it is highly likely that you will have FTTN connection to the NBN when your property makes the move.

Fibre to the Building (FTTB)

Also commonly referred to as ‘Fibre to the Basement’, FTTB is almost identical to FTTN, however instead of installing a node on your street, it's built in the basement or communications cupboard of the property. Customers who will be accessing NBN through FTTB connection will be required to either purchase their own VDSL2 modem or will need to use one supplied by their service provider.

Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)

HFC is more commonly known as cable internet and uses fibre optic cable to fit most of the line to your house, with coaxial cabling finishing the remainder of the journey. Coaxial cabling is generally used to deliver paid TV services such as Foxtel.

This differs from other NBN connection types as the coaxial cabling is a shielded copper technology. Due to this type of technology, data can be transferred at a faster rate over a greater distance without signal degradation. HFC is also compatible with new technologies that have the potential to offer gigabit speeds.

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

FTTP is the fastest NBN connection technology as it takes fibre cabling all the way to your premises without the need for copper. Essentially considered the top standard of NBN connection, the fibre can come through via the overhead lines or being laid in the ground. FTTP connections have a much higher reliability of meeting your advertised speeds and is not affected by the distance between your home and the local fibre access node.

FTTP connections are also already capable of much faster internet speeds than what is currently offered by Australian ISP’s. Eventually, customers will be able to get speeds as fast as 1Gbps which is 10 times the speed of the fastest plan offered by most providers. Unfortunately, the only negative of this connection is that is will only be available to 17%-21% of properties that will be connected to NBN.

Fixed Wireless and Satellite

Rather than connecting to homes via wiring underground, this connection runs fibre optic cable to a transmission tower. The signal is then transmitted to a fixed antenna fitted on the customers roof. This connection is type is less common and is only planned to be used for 5% of properties, primarily for rural and regional residences.  

NBN Co's satellite service, Sky Muster, uses two satellites to deliver Internet service to homes and businesses located in remote or rural areas where premises are spread over many square kilometres geographically. This technology is also reserved for when sightlines for fixed wireless signals are blocked by obstructions such as trees or hills.

This technology is the slowest the NBN will offer, as the distance required to cover from the satellite is large, however as far as satellite broadband is concerned it is one of the best in the world.

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