Internet in Desert Springs, NT 870
The future is looking brighter for Desert Springs — NBN Co has announced an FTTP fibre upgrade for the area, with 458 premises (65.3%) eligible. Currently on FTTN across 701 premises, residents will soon be able to upgrade to full fibre at no extra infrastructure cost, unlocking speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
Typical evening download speeds on FTTN in Desert Springs range from 25-68 Mbps (depends on distance from node), based on national ACCC broadband performance benchmarks. FTTN speeds depend on distance from the street node — homes within 400 metres get the best performance. 93.6% of Desert Springs's 512 households had an internet connection as of the 2021 Census.
Desert Springs has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program — 458 premises (65.3%) are eligible. Households currently on FTTN can upgrade to full fibre at no extra infrastructure cost through their internet provider.
Desert Springs outperforms all 5 nearby suburbs on internet quality. The closest competitor is Mount Johns at 16.6% FTTP. If you're comparing suburbs in this area for a move, Desert Springs offers the best internet infrastructure.
Data last updated March 2026 · Sources: NBN Co, ABS Census, ACCC
"Improving — Desert Springs is getting an FTTP upgrade. Currently on FTTN but fibre is coming to 701 premises soon."
Est. $69–$89/mo for a family (NBN 100)
Score based on technology type, fibre coverage, upgrade status, and connectivity data. Scale: 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent).
The data above shows suburb-wide averages. Your specific address may have different technology or speeds.
NBN Technology Mix
| Technology | Share |
|---|---|
| Fibre to the Node (FTTN) | 67.9% |
| Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) | 32.1% |
Speed Expectations by Technology
| Technology | Typical Speed | Max Available |
|---|---|---|
| FTTN (67.9%) | 43 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| FTTP (32.1%) | 90 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Speed estimates based on national ACCC broadband performance benchmarks, not suburb-specific measurements. Actual speeds depend on your plan, provider, and connection quality.
What Can I Do on This Connection?
FTTN across Desert Springs's 701 premises (67.9%) is usable for basic office tasks, but calls may drop if far from node with 93.6% of households online
With 67.9% FTTN in Desert Springs, HD streaming works but 4K may buffer depending on node distance
FTTN in Desert Springs (67.9% of 701 premises) is playable but speed fluctuations can affect competitive gaming
As a smaller suburb on FTTN, Desert Springs supports 2-3 devices but more can cause noticeable slowdowns
Desert Springs's 67.9% FTTN coverage across 701 premises is adequate for one-on-one calls, group calls may have issues
Recommended NBN Plans
Get NBN 50 at $55-70/mo now in Desert Springs — upgrade to a faster plan once FTTP arrives
For a couple in Desert Springs, NBN 100 at $69-89/mo handles streaming and working from home on FTTN
NBN 100 at $69-89/mo keeps Desert Springs families connected across 4+ devices on FTTN (FTTN caps at NBN 100)
Power users in Desert Springs can push FTTN to its limits with NBN 100 at $69-89/mo (FTTN caps at NBN 100)
Once FTTP arrives in Desert Springs, you'll be able to upgrade to faster plans without changing provider. Prices are estimates based on typical Australian NBN plans (AUD, March 2026). Actual costs vary by provider.
FTTP Upgrade Status
Desert Springs has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program.
458 premises (65.3%) are eligible for an upgrade from FTTN to full fibre (FTTP). Eligible residents can order an FTTP connection through their internet provider at no extra infrastructure cost.
What Can You Do?
Great news — you can upgrade to FTTP through your internet provider at no extra infrastructure cost. Contact your provider and ask about their FTTP plans. If you're on a contract, consider switching to a month-to-month plan so you can upgrade as soon as FTTP is available at your address.
Household Internet Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Households with Internet | 93.6% |
| Households with Broadband | 93.6% |
| Households with No Internet | 4.7% |
| Total Households | 512 |
Household internet data from ABS Census 2016. Actual current connectivity rates may differ.
Compare Nearby Suburbs
| Suburb | Tech Type | FTTP % | Score | Speed Range | Upgrade? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Johns, NT | FTTN | 16.6% | 5 C+ | 25-68 Mbps (depends on distance from node) | Yes |
| The Gap, NT | FTTN | 19.8% | 5 C+ | 25-68 Mbps (depends on distance from node) | Yes |
| Alice Springs, NT | FTTN | 18.7% | 5 C+ | 25-68 Mbps (depends on distance from node) | Yes |
| Sadadeen, NT | FTTN | 26.9% | 5 C+ | 25-68 Mbps (depends on distance from node) | Yes |
| Gillen, NT | FTTN | 27.3% | 5 C+ | 25-68 Mbps (depends on distance from node) | Yes |
Best Providers for FTTN in Desert Springs
FTTP is coming to Desert Springs — 701 premises can soon upgrade. Lock in a great deal before demand spikes.
Best CVC provisioning for FTTN — consistently delivers closer to theoretical max speeds even during peak hours. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View Aussie Broadband plans →Also Recommended
Strong evening speeds on FTTN connections with competitive pricing. ACCC data shows above-average performance on congested nodes. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View Superloop plans →
Affordable FTTN plans with decent peak-hour speeds. Good value if your line length supports NBN 50 or above. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View TPG plans →Compare Plans
| ISP | Speed Tier | Monthly Price | Promo Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aussie Broadband | NBN 100 | $99.00/mo | From $99.00/mo | Go to site → |
| Superloop | NBN 100 | $95.00/mo | From | Go to site → |
| TPG | NBN 100 | $94.99/mo | From $94.99/mo | Go to site → |
See all 9 providers in Desert Springs
Speed Boost technology helps maximise FTTN performance. Premium pricing but includes backup 4G failover if your copper line drops. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View Telstra plans →
Uses the Telstra wholesale network so FTTN performance is solid, but at a noticeably lower monthly cost. Ideal for lighter usage households. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View Belong plans →
One of the cheapest FTTN providers in Australia. Backed by the Vocus network, suitable for basic browsing and streaming on copper. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View Dodo plans →
No-frills FTTN plans with straightforward pricing. Owned by Kogan, so expect minimal extras but genuine savings on your monthly bill. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View Flip plans →
Australian-owned provider offering fair-priced FTTN with a focus on honest customer service. Bundles available with mobile plans. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View MATE plans →
Attractive introductory pricing on FTTN plans helps offset the limitations of copper last-mile. No contract lock-in period. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Desert Springs, this becomes an even stronger choice for 701 premises.
View Tangerine plans →Switching to Superloop could save you ~$168/year vs the average plan
Rankings based on technology compatibility and value for Desert Springs. PickNBN may earn a commission if you sign up through our links.
Prices as of March 2026. Check provider websites for current pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What NBN technology type does Desert Springs, NT have?
The primary NBN technology in Desert Springs is FTTN, serving the majority of 701 connected premises. The full technology mix is: FTTN (67.9%), FTTP (32.1%).
- What internet speeds can I get in Desert Springs, NT?
Homes in Desert Springs on FTTN can expect typical evening download speeds of 25-68 Mbps (depends on distance from node) based on ACCC benchmarks. FTTN speeds vary with distance from the node.
- Is Desert Springs, NT getting an FTTP upgrade?
Yes, Desert Springs has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program. Approximately 458 premises (65.3%) are eligible.
- How many households have internet in Desert Springs, NT?
According to the 2021 Census, 93.6% of 512 households in Desert Springs had internet — roughly 479 households online.
- Should I wait for FTTP in Desert Springs?
Good news — Desert Springs has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade. If you're on a contract, consider a shorter-term plan so you can switch to an FTTP plan once the upgrade is available at your address.
- Is Desert Springs better than Mount Johns for internet?
Yes — Desert Springs scores 6.5/10, ahead of Mount Johns at 5.0/10. Check your specific address for the most accurate picture.
About this data
PickNBN compiles data from official Australian government sources to give you an independent picture of internet quality in every suburb. We are not affiliated with any internet provider or NBN Co.
- NBN technology data — per-premises technology type from NBN Co records (via nbn-upgrade-map, MIT licence)
- Speed estimates — national benchmarks from the ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia program. Not suburb-specific measurements.
- Household internet stats — ABS Census 2016 at the suburb level (SSC geography)
- FTTP upgrades — NBN Co's announced fibre upgrade suburbs
Best Internet Near Desert Springs
Looking for the fastest internet in the area? These nearby suburbs score highest.