Why is My NBN Slow?

This article will discuss the different reasons for a slow NBN connection and how you can troubleshoot them.

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Last updated 20/02/2024
Optus broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited Data
245 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$99/Month
for first 6 months, then $119 ongoing
Min total cost $99
View breakdown
More Telecom broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited
100 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$100/Month
Min total cost $100
View breakdown
Telstra broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited
100 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$100/Month
Min total cost $100
View breakdown
More Telecom broadband provider logo
Broadband + Home Phone
Unlimited
50 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$102/Month
Min total cost $102
View breakdown
Tangerine Telecom broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited
650 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$104.90/Month
for first 6 months, then $124.90 ongoing
Min total cost $104.90
View breakdown
TPG broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited Data
800 Mbps Estimated Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$104.99/Month
Min total cost $104.99
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Aussie Broadband broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited Data
98 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$105/Month
Min total cost $105
View breakdown
More Telecom broadband provider logo
Broadband + Home Phone
Unlimited
95 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$106/Month
Min total cost $106
View breakdown
Optus broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited Data
780 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$109/Month
for first 6 months, then $129 onging
Min total cost $109
View breakdown
Optus broadband provider logo
Broadband Only
Unlimited Data
100 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$109/Month
for first 6 months, then $119 ongoing
Min total cost $109
View breakdown
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Why is My NBN Speed so Slow?

The arrival of the NBN has meant that homes no longer need to suffer with slow Internet speeds. But sometimes, you may find the NBN doesn’t deliver the speeds you expect.

While slow internet is always frustrating, don’t panic. In most cases, slow NBN performance is an easy fix. 

We’ve rounded up some of the biggest reasons you might find your Internet speed on the NBN to be slower than expected, as well as some suggestions for how to fix them.

Reason #1: Network congestion

Network congestion is the number one reason for a slow NBN connection, especially during peak hours when most individuals attempt to connect to the internet. 

This happens most frequently in the evening when everyone is already at home after work and using their home internet for entertainment purposes like streaming Netflix, downloading files, or playing online games.

Unlike ADSL, congestion is mostly caused by how much bandwidth your provider purchases from NBN Co. This is why ISPs now have to disclose typical evening speeds, which are the speeds you can realistically expect during peak times.

What you can do

Network congestion depends entirely on your internet service provider. If your Internet speeds are slowing down too much during peak hours, you could consider switching providers. The ACCC releases a quarterly report on how major ISPs perform during peak hours which could help you decide.

You can also look into upgrading your NBN plan to a faster speed tier so that you can still enjoy your online activities even during peak hours.

Reason #2: Your NBN plan's speed

In some cases, the reason your NBN speed is slow is because you are on a speed tier slower than your household’s needs.

The NBN allows you to select from a range of speed tiers, with faster speeds costing more. This is inherently different to ADSL technology, where speed wasn’t something you could pay for.

If you are trying to stream 4K Netflix on an NBN 12 plan, for example, you’re going to have a bad time. 

Choosing the right speed for your home starts with understanding how you and other household members use the internet. A basic speed plan will be enough if you're only browsing or logging into your social media profile and live alone. An NBN plan in the higher speed tier is required in a larger home with several users streaming at once.

 

NBN Speed Tier Poor NBN Speeds Great NBN Speeds  
NBN Standard (NBN 50) 0 – 30 Mbps 40 – 50 Mbps See NBN50 plans
NBN Fast (NBN 100) 0 – 60 Mbps 85 – 100 Mbps See NBN100 plans
NBN Superfast (NBN 250) 0 – 110 Mbps 150 – 250 Mbps See NBN250 plans
NBN Ultrafast (NBN 1000) 0 – 250 Mbps 500 – 1000 Mbps See NBN1000 plans

 

What you can do

If you purchased a plan in a fast speed tier and are not receiving the expected speeds, you should notify your NBN provider immediately. You may choose to upgrade to a higher speed tier. 

However, if you're still on an older NBN technology like FTTN, there is a possibility that your home cannot support the highest speeds.

You may be able to get a free upgrade to a full-fibre connection. You can call Compare Broadband, or speak to your ISP directly, to find out if your home is eligible.

Popular NBN Plans

Tangerine Telecom broadband provider logo
Tangerine Telecom Value Plus Broadband Plan
  • Unlimited
  • 50/17 Mbps
  • Deal: $62.90 for first 6 months, then $82.90 ongoing
Dodo broadband provider logo
Standard Plus (nbn50) Unlimited Dodo broadband plan
  • Unlimited Data
  • 50/17 Mbps
  • Deal: $64.90 for first 6 months, then $83.90 ongoing
$64 .90/ mth
Min total cost $64.90
Tangerine Telecom broadband provider logo
Tangerine Telecom Speedy Broadband Plan
  • Unlimited
  • 100/17 Mbps
  • Deal: $65.90 for first 6 months, then $85.90 ongoing
Superloop broadband provider logo
Superloop nbn™ Extra-Value Broadband Plan
  • Unlimited
  • 50/17 Mbps
  • Deal: $67 for first 6 months, then $81 ongoing
Superloop broadband provider logo
Superloop nbn™ Extra-Value Broadband + PAYG Home Phone Bundle Plan
  • Unlimited
  • 50/17 Mbps
  • Deal: $67 for first 6 months, then $81 ongoing
To find out more about how we recommend plans, take a look at how we work.

Compare all NBN plans

 

Reason #3: Distance from the Node

For homes connected to the NBN using a Fibre-to-the-Node connection (FTTN), distance could be a factor.

FTTN is the most common NBN connection type in Australia, where an optical fibre line runs from the exchange to a node in your neighbourhood and then uses existing copper phone lines to connect to your home.

The maximum distance for an FTTN connection is around 1.5km but can be as low as 400m. The farther that the signal has to travel through the wire, the greater the chance for the speed to degrade accordingly. It can also be impacted by the quality of the copper wires being used.

What you can do

Your first option is to check whether your home is eligible for a full fibre upgrade. This free program sees an NBN technician come to your home and upgrade your connection to fibre, which will deliver speeds up to 1Gbps.

You will need to opt for a faster plan in order to have the upgrade performed, however. 

If your address is not eligible for the fibre upgrade program, you can consider a mobile broadband or home wireless broadband connection instead. 

Reason #4: Outdated Modem or Router

Not all modems and routers are created equal. In fact, some are already outdated and incapable of handling your current NBN speed.

So what type of router supports NBN? Well, it depends on the NBN technology you're using. If you're on FTTP, any type of router will work as it uses an Ethernet connection. Meanwhile, those on HFC need a DOCSIS 3.0 compatible modem while those on FTTN/B require a VDSL2 modem that's also compatible with ADSL2+.

What you can do

To check if your modem or router is the root cause of the problem, connect your computer directly to the NBN connection box using an Ethernet cable. If you're able to connect to the internet without any issues, then that's a sign you need to upgrade your modem or router.

If you still can't seem to figure out what's causing your NBN connection problems, you can always contact your service provider for help. They might be able to pinpoint the exact source of the issue and provide you with a solution accordingly.

Also consider upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi system or adding a Wi-Fi extender in order to give your home the best possible wireless coverage. 

Reason #5: Wireless interference

If you connect to the NBN wirelessly using your home’s Wi-Fi, there’s a chance your connection is being interrupted by other wireless devices and technologies.

This can include electrical appliances, microwaves, cordless phones, and even baby monitors.

What you can do

If you believe that interference is the reason your NBN speeds are less than stellar, there are a few quick fixes you can do.

First, try and move your router to a different location in your home. If that doesn't work, consider getting a WiFi booster as it can help amplify the signal and reduce interference. Finally, you can invest in a quality router designed to minimise interference.

Reason #6: Your Device is the Problem

In some cases, the problem might not be with your NBN connection at all. Instead, it could be with the device you're using to connect to the internet. This is most common with older devices that cannot take full advantage of your current speeds.

What you can do

If you think your device might be the issue, the best thing you can do is to upgrade to a newer model. This way, you'll be able to take full advantage of your NBN connection and get the speeds you're paying for.

 

Compare NBN Plans and Providers with Compare Broadband

There are various reasons why your NBN connection is running slow. Apart from network congestion, it can also be due to the speed tier of your plan and your distance from the node. Various other connection issues may affect the speed of your NBN as well. Rest assured that for each of these, there will always be a fix or a remedy that you can try.

If you need help in upgrading your plan or switching NBN providers, you can call us at Compare Broadband. Our NBN connection experts are more than happy to assist you in finding the best possible deal for your needs.

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Are you eligible for a FREE fibre upgrade?

The government is making 1.5 million Australian homes and businesses eligible for a speed upgrade to FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), which offers greater speed and reliability. Selected towns and suburbs with FTTC and FTTN are eligible for the upgrade with an eligible high speed nbn plan.

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