If you’ve been stuck on an NBN connection that tops out at 50 or 100 Mbps, there’s good news: NBN Co is rolling out fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) upgrades to thousands of Australian suburbs. This is the single biggest improvement to the NBN since its original rollout, and it could transform your internet experience.
What is the FTTP upgrade?
When the NBN was first built, the government made a cost-saving decision to use a mix of technologies rather than running fibre to every home. The result was a patchwork of connection types:
- FTTP (Fibre to the Premises): Fibre all the way to your home. Speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
- FTTN (Fibre to the Node): Fibre to a neighbourhood cabinet, then existing copper to your home. Speeds typically cap at 50–100 Mbps.
- FTTC (Fibre to the Curb): Fibre to a small pit near your home, then short copper run. Speeds up to 250 Mbps.
- HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial): The old Foxtel/Optus cable network, upgraded for NBN. Speeds up to 250 Mbps.
- Fixed Wireless: Radio towers serving nearby homes. Speeds vary from 25–100 Mbps.
- Satellite: For remote areas. Speeds up to 25 Mbps.
The FTTP upgrade program replaces the copper portion of FTTN and FTTC connections with fibre, giving those suburbs the same gigabit-capable infrastructure as new estates.
How many suburbs are getting upgraded?
According to our data, 4,977 suburbs across Australia have had an FTTP upgrade announced. That’s roughly one-third of all suburbs in the NBN footprint. The upgrades are concentrated in metropolitan and regional centres where FTTN was the original technology.
Here’s the breakdown by state:
| State | Suburbs with FTTP Announced | Total Suburbs | % Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | 100 | 134 | 74.6% |
| QLD | 1,239 | 3,120 | 39.7% |
| NSW | 1,556 | 4,369 | 35.6% |
| WA | 537 | 1,574 | 34.1% |
| SA | 614 | 1,809 | 33.9% |
| VIC | 758 | 2,880 | 26.3% |
| TAS | 151 | 752 | 20.1% |
| NT | 22 | 252 | 8.7% |
The ACT leads with nearly three-quarters of suburbs having an FTTP upgrade announced — fitting for a territory that’s already the best-connected in Australia. Victoria, despite having the second-most premises nationally, has only 26.3% of suburbs on the upgrade list, suggesting much of its footprint is already served by HFC or FTTP.
What speeds can you expect after the upgrade?
Once your suburb is upgraded to FTTP, you’ll have access to NBN’s full range of speed tiers:
| Speed Tier | Download | Upload | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 25 | 25 Mbps | 5 Mbps | Basic browsing, email |
| NBN 50 | 50 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Streaming, working from home |
| NBN 100 | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Multiple streamers, gaming |
| NBN 250 | 250 Mbps | 25 Mbps | Heavy household, 4K streaming |
| NBN 500 | 500 Mbps | 200 Mbps | Power users, home offices |
| NBN 1000 | 1000 Mbps | 400 Mbps | Everything, simultaneously |
The key upgrade for most households is access to the 250, 500, and 1000 Mbps tiers which were previously unavailable on FTTN connections. Even if you stay on your current speed tier, FTTP delivers more consistent and reliable speeds because it eliminates the copper line that degrades with distance and weather.
Real suburbs, real upgrades
Here are examples of suburbs at different stages of the upgrade journey:
Already high-scoring with FTTP announced: Wellard, WA scores a perfect 10.0 with 81.1% FTTP coverage. Suburbs like this are already reaping the benefits of fibre infrastructure.
Mid-range suburbs set to improve: Huntleys Point, NSW currently scores 6.0 with FTTN as its dominant technology and 30.6% FTTP coverage. Once the upgrade completes, this quiet suburb on the Lane Cove River could jump to a score of 8 or above.
Low-scoring suburbs with upgrades announced: Even some satellite-dependent areas like Carinda, NSW (score: 2.5) have FTTP upgrades announced, though these may take longer to reach than metro suburbs.
What the upgrade process looks like
When NBN Co announces an FTTP upgrade for your area, here’s what typically happens:
Announcement phase (6–12 months before): NBN Co publishes the suburb on their upgrade list. You can order an FTTP connection from your internet provider, but the physical work hasn’t started yet.
Construction phase (3–6 months): NBN Co contractors install fibre distribution hubs and run fibre cables through the street. You’ll see workers accessing pits and running cables along footpaths.
Connection phase: A technician installs an NTD (network termination device) inside your home, connecting the fibre from the street to your premises. This usually takes 2–4 hours.
Service activation: Your internet provider switches your service from the old technology to FTTP. You may need a new router, and you’ll want to check that your plan takes advantage of the new speed tiers available.
Do you need to do anything?
Yes — the upgrade is not automatic. Even after NBN Co has run fibre past your home, you need to:
- Contact your internet provider (or a new one) and request an FTTP connection
- Choose a speed tier — consider upgrading since FTTP supports much higher speeds
- Schedule a technician visit to install the NTD in your home
- Upgrade your router if your current one can’t handle the faster speeds
There’s no additional cost for the physical upgrade — NBN Co covers the fibre installation as part of the national program. However, you’ll pay whatever monthly plan price your internet provider charges for your chosen speed tier.
How to check your suburb
Every suburb on PickNBN shows whether an FTTP upgrade has been announced. Look for the “FTTP Upgrade” indicator on your suburb’s profile page. You can also check internet in Islington, NSW or internet in Jewells, NSW as examples of FTTN suburbs with upgrades announced.
The FTTP upgrade is the most significant improvement to Australia’s internet infrastructure since the NBN was first conceived. If your suburb is on the list, it’s worth planning your upgrade now — faster, more reliable internet is coming to your doorstep.