- Even with the NBN rollout completed last year, many areas are still using outdated internet connection technologies. To ensure more people have access to fast NBN speeds, the Australian government is rolling out an NBN fibre upgrade.
- The Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connection technology leverages old copper wiring, which is incapable of supporting high speeds much as a fibre cable does. With fibre optic wires, the cables are filled with glass filaments that send data through light signals.
- With an ultra-fast internet connection, you will have the capability to download an entire game in minutes or even complete an operating system upgrade in seconds.
NBN Rollout was completed in various areas in the country last year. However, many areas still use outdated internet connection technologies, leaving them with slower speeds and poor network service. To ensure that more and more people will have access to a fast and reliable internet connection, the Australian government is now in the process of rolling out an NBN fibre upgrade. If you are keen to find out if you can get this, better read on.
NBN Fibre Upgrade in Brief
The Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connection technology leverages old copper wiring, which is incapable of supporting high speeds much as a fibre cable does. With fibre optic wires, the cables are filled with glass filaments that send data through light signals. Because of this, these wires can support ultra-fast transmission speeds. When copper wires are replaced with fibre optic cables, the residents in the area will have the opportunity to subscribe to faster internet plans that can even achieve gigabit speeds.
With an ultra-fast internet connection, you will have the capability to download an entire game in minutes or even complete an operating system upgrade in seconds. Alongside FTTN, some Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) will also be upgraded to FTTP. The first upgrades are set to go live by this year’s end, but NBN Co is still yet to provide the specific timeline.
Areas Eligible for Upgrade
NBN Co has been gradually announcing the eligible areas for an upgrade since last year. The criteria used to determine eligible areas include demand and cost-effectiveness and workforce availability. By 2023, an estimated two million homes are expected to be upgraded with FTTP. To date, about 1.4 million are already listed. In this case, you can also register for upgrades.
Upgrade Process
To be able to register yourself for upgrades, you have to access the new NBN Technology Choice Quote tool. From there, you will be able to get a quote on how much the upgrade will cost. You will also be able to choose your application type before lodging it on the official website of NBN Co.
After this, you will have to pay the application fee, but you still have to either accept or deny the quote you have been given. Once you accept the quote, the construction process will start. This can take up to half a year. Nevertheless, as soon as it is finished, you will already be able to subscribe to a high-speed tier NBN plan.
- Application Types
Some of the application types that you can look into include an individual premises switch, a group switch, and an area switch. An individual premises switch entails the change of a single residence to FTTP, while a group switch encompasses a group of homes or businesses close to one another. The upgrade cost can be shared between the residences in terms of the latter. Meanwhile, in an area switch, one person must act as an authorised representative of the area with a defined border.
- Costs
The costs that you may need to spend for the upgrade depend because no two households are the same when it comes to this. Fortunately, you will have a good idea of how much you need to prepare by using the quote tool. On average, you may need to spend at least $330 for the upgrade.
Fastest NBN Internet Plans
| Internet Provider | Internet Plan | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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NBN Unlimited Belong Premium broadband plan on the NBN™ | $90/Month | See Belong NBN Plans |
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NBN Premium Speed (nbn100) Unlimited Dodo broadband plan | $85/Month | See Dodo NBN Plans |
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NBN The 100 (nbn100) Uniti Wireless NBN™ Broadband Plan | $99.95/Month | See Uniti Wireless NBN Plans |
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NBN Unlimited Family nbn™ Aussie Broadband Homefast plan - Premium Speed | $99/Month | See Aussie Broadband NBN Plans |
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NBN Optus Internet Everyday Fast NBN™ Bundle Plan | $89/Month | See Optus NBN Plans |
Final Word
If your area has FTTN connection available, then there is a great chance that it will be upgraded to a faster FTTP connection technology sooner rather than later. As soon as your is eligible for the upgrade, you can subscribe to NBN plans in the high-speed tiers. From there, you will be able to foster your intensive internet activities seamlessly through a reliable and fast internet connection.
Need help switching to a better NBN plan? Talk to us at Compare Broadband today!
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