We get a lot of questions about the NBN, broadband, and internet plans in Australia — so we’ve pulled together the most common ones here. If your question isn’t answered below, get in touch and we’ll add it.
The basics
What is the NBN?
The NBN (National Broadband Network) is Australia’s national broadband infrastructure, built and operated by NBN Co — a government-owned company. The NBN replaced the old ADSL and cable networks that most Australians used for home internet. It’s not an internet provider itself — instead, it’s the wholesale network that your internet provider (Telstra, Aussie Broadband, iiNet, etc.) connects to and resells to you as an NBN plan.
Who owns the NBN?
NBN Co, which is owned by the Australian federal government. The company was set up specifically to build and operate the national broadband network.
What is the difference between NBN and broadband?
“Broadband” is a general term for any high-speed internet connection — NBN, ADSL, cable, 5G home internet, and fibre are all forms of broadband. NBN specifically refers to the national fixed-line network built by NBN Co. So all NBN connections are broadband, but not all broadband is NBN.
Is NBN available at my address?
Check at the NBN Co website by entering your address. The majority of Australian premises now have NBN available, though some remote areas are served by Fixed Wireless or Satellite instead of fixed-line NBN.
Connection types
What are the different types of NBN connections?
There are six: FTTP (fibre all the way to your home), FTTC (fibre close to your home, short copper run), FTTN (fibre to a street cabinet, longer copper run), HFC (old cable TV network), Fixed Wireless (radio tower to a roof antenna), and Satellite (Sky Muster). The type you get depends on your address. We explain each in detail in our guide to NBN connection types.
What is FTTP and why is it better?
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) means a fibre optic cable runs directly from the street into your home. It’s the fastest and most reliable NBN connection type — supporting speeds up to 2000Mbps — because there’s no copper cable in the link. If you have FTTP, you can access the fastest NBN speed tiers.
Can I upgrade from FTTN to FTTP?
Often yes. NBN Co has a Fibre Upgrade program that allows many FTTN and FTTC premises to request an upgrade to FTTP, in many cases at no upfront cost. Check your address eligibility at the NBN Co website.
Plans and speeds
What NBN speed do I need?
For one or two people doing everyday things (streaming, video calls, browsing): NBN 50 is plenty. For a family with multiple simultaneous users: NBN 100 is the safe choice. Heavy users, large households, or anyone on FTTP who wants the fastest possible speeds: NBN 250 or NBN 1000. Our full guide covers which NBN speed you actually need.
What is “typical evening speed”?
The typical evening speed is the download speed your provider is expected to deliver during the busiest period — usually 7pm to 11pm. Australian Consumer Law requires providers to advertise this honestly. It’s more useful than the plan’s maximum speed, which you’ll only see under ideal conditions.
Are there data caps on NBN plans?
Most NBN plans now offer unlimited data. A small number of entry-level plans still have monthly data caps — these are generally worth avoiding, as the price difference from an unlimited plan is usually minimal and running out of data is very frustrating.
Can I get NBN without a phone line?
Yes. NBN connections don’t require a traditional copper phone line — the NBN replaces the old phone network. If you want a landline phone with NBN, you use a VoIP service, which works over your internet connection. Many providers bundle a home phone line with their NBN plans.
Costs and contracts
How much does NBN cost?
NBN plans in 2026 start from around $45–$55/month for a basic NBN 25 plan and go up to $120–$145/month for NBN 1000 ultrafast plans. The most popular NBN 100 plans range from $65–$99/month depending on the provider. Most plans include unlimited data and are month-to-month.
Is there an upfront cost to connect to NBN?
Usually a one-off connection fee of $99–$199 when you first connect. If a technician needs to visit, that’s typically included. If you’re changing providers on an existing NBN connection, there’s generally no additional connection fee.
Do NBN plans have lock-in contracts?
Most providers now offer month-to-month no lock-in contracts. Some providers offer a discount if you sign up for 12 or 24 months. Read the terms carefully — early exit fees can apply if you’re on a contract.
Setup and equipment
Do I need a modem for NBN?
Yes — you need a modem/router to connect your devices to the NBN. Some providers include a modem in the plan; others sell them separately or let you use your own. For NBN connections, you’ll need a modem that supports VDSL2 (for FTTN/FTTC) or just a standard NBN-compatible router (for FTTP/HFC). Check our BYO modem setup guide if you’re using your own equipment.
Who installs the NBN connection?
An NBN Co technician or approved installer handles the connection to your property. If you’re connecting for the first time, a technician visit is usually needed to install the NTD (NBN connection box) inside your home and run the cable if required. Switching providers on an existing active NBN connection doesn’t usually need a technician.
What is the NBN connection box?
The NTD (Network Termination Device) is the white box mounted on your interior wall that connects your home to the NBN network. It’s owned by NBN Co. Your modem/router plugs into it. We explain it in detail in our NBN connection box guide.
Troubleshooting
What should I do if my NBN keeps dropping out?
First check if there’s a known outage in your area via your provider’s app or website. If not, try rebooting your modem (unplug, wait 30 seconds, replug). Check the lights on your NBN connection box. If the problem persists, contact your provider. Our step-by-step NBN troubleshooting guide covers the full process.
My speeds are slower than my plan. What can I do?
First, test with an Ethernet cable — Wi-Fi is often the bottleneck, not the NBN connection. Run a speed test at speedtest.net during off-peak and peak hours. If wired speeds are consistently well below your plan’s typical evening speed, contact your provider — they’re obligated to investigate. Read more about what slows down internet speeds.
How do I check for NBN outages?
Check your provider’s outage page or app, or visit the NBN Co outage map. We have a guide on all the ways to check NBN outages in Australia.
Switching providers
How do I switch NBN providers?
Sign up with your new provider — they’ll handle most of the switching process. In most cases, you don’t need to contact your old provider first (though checking if you’re in a contract is wise). Switching usually takes 1–3 business days and you typically have no downtime, or just a brief interruption when the switch happens. We’ve written a full guide to switching NBN providers.
Will I lose my internet during a provider switch?
Most provider switches are seamless — you’re connected to one provider one day and the new one the next, with at most an hour of downtime during the actual cutover. Your NBN connection box doesn’t change, and in most cases no technician visit is required.
Compare NBN Plans
Ready to find a better deal? Our best NBN plans page is updated monthly with the most competitive offers from Australian providers. You can also use our plan finder to get a personalised recommendation based on your household size and usage, or compare providers head-to-head to see how they stack up on price and customer ratings.
