The Different Types of NBN Technology

Compared to how the NBN started all those many years ago, the current NBN has adopted a multi-technology mix. Due to this, it is always best to check which technology type is available at your location, as the technology type will impact what speeds will be available to order and your overall experience on the NBN Network. Below is a brief outline of each of the NBN technologies that are in use.

What is FTTP?

FTTP or Fibre to the Premise is a technology type that connects the NBN fibre optic network directly to your premise via overhead lines or underground utilities. FTTP connections can consistently deliver up to the advertised speeds and is not affected by the distance of your premise to the broader network. This technology type will require an NTD (Network Termination Device) to be installed by NBN Co, which you will then connect an NBN compatible router with an ethernet WAN port to one of the UNI-D ports on the NTD.

What is FTTN?

FTTN or Fibre to the Node is a technology type that connects the NBN fibre optic network to a node which is located out on the street and then uses the existing copper telephone network to connect the node to your premise. The speed available at your premise will become dependent on how close you are to the node, the closer you are the more likely you will be able to achieve the higher tier speeds that are available. However, if you are further away some speed tiers may not be achievable due to the distance limitation of the underlying VDSL transport technology that is utilised in FTTN. FTTN can also be affected by internal copper telephone wiring of your premise on top of this. Since FTTN is delivered by the copper telephone network it does not require any additional equipment to be installed by NBN Co, all you need is an NBN compatible VDSL modem or router and connect it to the required telephone outlet or tagged pair at the MDF (Main Distribution Frame).

What is FTTB?

FTTB or Fibre to the Building is a technology type that is very similar to FTTN, the difference is rather than having the nodes out on the street the node is installed in the basement of a building complex to service all the tenants of that building. With this type of technology, the tenants of the building will most likely be able to access the higher tier speeds as the NBN fibre optic network and the node it is connected to is within the building. Though the biggest factor that could cause an NBN service not to achieve one of the higher tier speeds will mostly come down to the condition of the internal copper telephone wiring in the building complex. Since FTTB is delivered by the internet copper telephone wiring and uses the same underlying VDSL transport technology, it does not require any additional equipment to be installed by NBN Co and all you need is an NBN compatible VDSL modem or router and connect it to the required telephone outlet. In some cases, you may need to get an electrician to connect your premise to a tagged pair at the MDF (Main Distribution Frame).

What is HFC?

HFC or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial is a technology type that also shares similarities with FTTN. The difference is rather than connecting your premise back to the node with the existing copper telephone network, it will utilise the existing HFC network that was used to deliver cable TV and cable internet. Also, this technology type will require additional equipment to be installed by NBN Co in the form of an NTD (Network Termination Device). The advantage of using the HFC network is it has a better distance to signal lost ratio and can utilise HFC signal boosters, so it can deliver service further then FTTN and still be able to achieve the higher tier speeds. However, this technology can also have its own draw backs in the form of either not enough or too much signal being received by the NTD. If not enough signal is received then your service can not achieve the higher tier speeds and if too much signal is received it can damage and destroy the NTD. In order to connect up an HFC service, you will need an NBN compatible router with an ethernet WAN port and connect it to the back of the NTD.

What is FTTC?

FTTC or Fibre to the Curb is a technology type that shares similarities not just with FTTN but also FTTP/HFC. This technology connects the NBN fibre optic network to a DPU (Distribution Point Unit) located in a pit at the curb of the street near to your premise. The DPU then will connect to your premise using the existing copper telephone network and will utilise the same underlying VDSL transport technology in FTTN however, it can only feed a maximum of four connections or premises. The distance from the DPU to your premise would normally be very close due to the limited capacity of the DPU and this will help to mitigate the distance issue that occurs with the FTTN technology. The similarities with FTTP/HFC is that NBN Co will provide a piece of additional equipment known as an NCD (NBN Connection Device) which you connect the copper telephone cable that is connected back to the DPU, you will then require an NBN compatible router with an ethernet WAN port and connect it to the back of the NCD.

What is Fixed Wireless?

Fixed Wireless is a technology type that connects regional areas back to the NBN fibre optic network using a network of NBN fixed wireless radio towers. This technology can connect premises up to 14km away from the radio tower, due to Fixed Wireless being fundamental a different technology than those that are a Fixed Line technology (FTTP/N/B/C and HFC) it has a different speed tier structure. This technology type will require an NTD (Network Termination Device) and Fixed Wireless antenna to be installed by NBN Co, which you will then connect an NBN compatible router with an ethernet WAN port to one of the UNI-D ports on the NTD.

What is Sky Muster?

Sky Muster is a technology type that connects remote communities and islands of Australia that are outside the Fixed Wireless and Fixed Line networks. Sky Muster uses two geostationary communication satellites known as Sky Muster I (NBN-Co 1A) and Sky Muster II (NBN-Co 1B) that currently have a combined bandwidth capacity of 135Gbps and will eventually be increased to a maximum of 185Gbps, like Fixed Wireless this is a different technology than all the other NBN technologies. Due to this Sky Muster also has its own speed tiers structure and Sky Muster also has a data usage fair use policy enforced by NBN Co themselves. This technology type will require an NTD (Network Termination Device) and Sky Muster Satellite Dish to be installed by NBN Co, which you will then connect an NBN compatible router with an ethernet WAN port to one of the UNI-D ports on the NTD.