What Is HFC?
Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) is an NBN connection type that uses the existing coaxial cable network originally built for pay TV services (Foxtel/Optus TV). Fibre optic cable runs from the exchange to a neighbourhood node, and coaxial cable carries the signal the final distance to your home.
HFC is one of the most widely deployed NBN technologies in metropolitan areas, particularly in suburbs that had Foxtel or Optus cable TV infrastructure. It serves over 748 suburbs across Australia with 500+ premises.
How HFC Works
The HFC network consists of fibre optic cable running to a neighbourhood fibre node, then coaxial cable (the same thick cable used for pay TV) running to an NBN Connection Box on the outside wall of your home. Inside, a coaxial cable connects from the wall plate to your NBN-compatible modem.
NBN Co upgraded the existing HFC network using DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which allows the coaxial cable to carry much faster broadband data than the original pay TV signals. This technology is capable of high download speeds, though shared bandwidth in the neighbourhood can sometimes cause congestion during peak hours.
Typical Speed Range
25–250 Mbps download
HFC can reliably deliver speeds up to NBN 250. NBN 1000 is technically available on some HFC connections with DOCSIS 3.1, though the upload speeds are more limited than FTTP. Most users on HFC will comfortably achieve their plan’s stated download speed.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Supports NBN 250 speed tier — much faster than FTTN or FTTC
- Widely available in metro areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide)
- Good real-world performance for most households
- Already installed in many homes from pay TV era
- Can be upgraded to FTTP under NBN Co’s fibre program
Cons:
- Shared bandwidth — speeds can drop during peak evening hours if many neighbours are online
- Upload speeds are more limited than FTTP
- Coaxial cabling can degrade over time, especially at connection points
- NBN 1000 availability is inconsistent on HFC
- Professional technician visit may be needed for initial setup
Top 20 Suburbs with HFC
These are the suburbs with the most HFC-connected premises in Australia, sorted by total premises count.
| # | Suburb | State | Premises | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Castle Hill | NSW | 19,270 | 7.0 | B+ |
| 2 | Bankstown | NSW | 17,268 | 5.5 | C+ |
| 3 | Mosman | NSW | 17,092 | 6.0 | B |
| 4 | Ryde | NSW | 16,411 | 7.5 | B+ |
| 5 | Hoppers Crossing | VIC | 16,296 | 5.5 | C+ |
| 6 | Hurstville | NSW | 15,946 | 6.5 | B |
| 7 | Marrickville | NSW | 15,654 | 5.5 | C+ |
| 8 | Doncaster East | VIC | 14,652 | 6.5 | B |
| 9 | Bentleigh East | VIC | 14,185 | 5.5 | C+ |
| 10 | Baulkham Hills | NSW | 14,080 | 7.0 | B+ |
| 11 | Epping | NSW | 13,843 | 7.0 | B+ |
| 12 | Randwick | NSW | 13,293 | 6.5 | B |
| 13 | Campsie | NSW | 13,169 | 7.5 | B+ |
| 14 | Merrylands | NSW | 12,682 | 6.5 | B |
| 15 | Southport | QLD | 12,480 | 6.5 | B |
| 16 | Mascot | NSW | 12,147 | 7.5 | B+ |
| 17 | Noble Park | VIC | 11,703 | 7.5 | B+ |
| 18 | Springvale | VIC | 11,558 | 5.5 | C+ |
| 19 | St Kilda | VIC | 11,190 | 6.5 | B |
| 20 | Ashfield | NSW | 10,845 | 6.5 | B |
HFC suburbs are concentrated in Sydney (NSW) and Melbourne (VIC) metro areas, reflecting the historical footprint of Foxtel and Optus cable TV networks. Scores range from C+ to B+ (5.5–7.5), with higher-performing suburbs often having newer or better-maintained cable infrastructure.