Internet in Hillcrest, SA 5086
Hillcrest is on the cusp of a fibre transition — while FTTC is still the dominant connection, 41.4% of its 1,741 premises already have FTTP. As more households upgrade, this suburb is moving toward full fibre coverage, which will unlock faster and more reliable internet for the whole area.
Typical evening download speeds on FTTC in Hillcrest range from 25-100 Mbps, based on national ACCC broadband performance benchmarks. FTTC performs well up to NBN 100 because the copper run from the kerb is very short, keeping signal quality high. 81.7% of Hillcrest's 1,290 households had an internet connection as of the 2021 Census.
Hillcrest has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program — 751 premises (43.1%) are eligible. Households currently on FTTC can upgrade to full fibre at no extra infrastructure cost through their internet provider.
Hillcrest is neck and neck with Northgate for the best internet in the area — both offer strong connectivity. Lightsview trails with 5.3% FTTP. Either of the top options would serve most households well.
Data last updated March 2026 · Sources: NBN Co, ABS Census, ACCC
"On the cusp — Hillcrest has 41.4% fibre but FTTC still dominates its 1,741 premises. The transition to full fibre is underway."
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 Curb (FTTC) | 52.6% |
| Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) | 41.4% |
| Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) | 6% |
Speed Expectations by Technology
| Technology | Typical Speed | Max Available |
|---|---|---|
| FTTC (52.6%) | 46 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| FTTP (41.4%) | 90 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
| HFC (6%) | 47 Mbps | 250 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?
FTTC across Hillcrest's 1,741 premises (52.6%) provides reliable speeds for video calls and cloud-based work with 81.7% of households online
With 52.6% FTTC in this mid-sized suburb, Hillcrest supports 4K streaming on one device, HD on multiple
FTTC in Hillcrest (52.6% of 1,741 premises) delivers a consistent connection with acceptable latency
Hillcrest's 52.6% FTTC coverage across 1,741 premises handles 4-5 devices comfortably
FTTC across Hillcrest's 1,741 premises is stable enough for regular video conferencing
Recommended NBN Plans
With Hillcrest's FTTC connection, a single user gets reliable speeds at $55-70/mo
For a couple in Hillcrest, NBN 100 at $69-89/mo handles streaming and working from home on FTTC
NBN 100 at $69-89/mo keeps Hillcrest families connected across 4+ devices on FTTC (FTTC caps at NBN 100)
Power users in Hillcrest can push FTTC to its limits with NBN 100 at $69-89/mo (FTTC caps at NBN 100)
In Hillcrest, FTTC supports plans up to NBN 100 across its 1,741 premises. Prices are estimates based on typical Australian NBN plans (AUD, March 2026). Actual costs vary by provider.
FTTP Upgrade Status
Hillcrest has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program.
751 premises (43.1%) are eligible for an upgrade from FTTC to full fibre (FTTP). Eligible residents can order an FTTP connection through their internet provider at no extra infrastructure cost.
What Can You Do?
Check your specific address — you may already be able to order an FTTP plan even though FTTC is the suburb's dominant technology. The NBN address checker will show what's available at your exact location.
Household Internet Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Households with Internet | 81.7% |
| Households with Broadband | 81.7% |
| Households with No Internet | 16.2% |
| Total Households | 1,290 |
Household internet data from ABS Census 2016. Actual current connectivity rates may differ.
Compare Nearby Suburbs
| Suburb | Tech Type | FTTP % | Score | Speed Range | Upgrade? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakden, SA | FTTC | 37.4% | 7.5 B+ | 25-100 Mbps | Yes |
| Windsor Gardens, SA | HFC | 13.9% | 6.5 B | 25-250 Mbps | Yes |
| Lightsview, SA | 5.3% | 3.5 D+ | Yes | ||
| Greenacres, SA | HFC | 0.6% | 5.5 C+ | 25-250 Mbps | Yes |
| Northgate, SA | FTTC | 48% | 8 A | 25-100 Mbps | Yes |
Best Providers for FTTC in Hillcrest
Fibre is expanding across Hillcrest's 1,741 premises — compare plans now before the best promos end.
Excellent FTTC performance with industry-leading CVC investment. Short copper runs on FTTC mean you'll get near-fibre speeds. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View Aussie Broadband plans →Also Recommended
Competitive FTTC pricing with strong throughput. Their network performs especially well on the shorter copper loops that FTTC uses. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View Superloop plans →
Premium FTTC experience with guaranteed speed tiers and Smart Modem included. Good for households wanting a plug-and-play setup. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View Telstra plans →Compare Plans
| ISP | Speed Tier | Monthly Price | Promo Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aussie Broadband | NBN 250 | $119.00/mo | From $119.00/mo | Go to site → |
| Superloop | NBN 250 | $104.00/mo | From | Go to site → |
| Telstra | NBN 250 | $140.00/mo | From $140.00/mo | Go to site → |
See all 8 providers in Hillcrest
Solid FTTC plans with bundled entertainment options. Their network handles FTTC well with consistent evening speed delivery. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View Optus plans →
Reliable FTTC provider with Fetch TV bundles. The short copper run means iiNet's network delivers close to full plan speeds consistently. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View iiNet plans →
Veteran ISP offering straightforward FTTC plans at sharp prices. Consistent performer that prioritises value over marketing gimmicks. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View Exetel plans →
Deeply discounted FTTC broadband from the Kogan ecosystem. Prepaid plan structure can save money for households happy to pay upfront. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View Kogan Internet plans →
Budget-conscious FTTC option with no lock-in contracts. Delivers good value for the price on FTTC's near-fibre infrastructure. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Hillcrest, this becomes an even stronger choice for 1,741 premises.
View SpinTel plans →Switching to Superloop could save you ~$240/year vs the average plan
Rankings based on technology compatibility and value for Hillcrest. 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 Hillcrest, SA have?
The primary NBN technology in Hillcrest is FTTC, serving the majority of 1,741 connected premises. The full technology mix is: FTTC (52.6%), FTTP (41.4%), HFC (6.0%).
- What internet speeds can I get in Hillcrest, SA?
Homes in Hillcrest on FTTC can expect typical evening download speeds of 25-100 Mbps based on ACCC benchmarks.
- Is Hillcrest, SA getting an FTTP upgrade?
Yes, Hillcrest has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program. Approximately 751 premises (43.1%) are eligible.
- How many households have internet in Hillcrest, SA?
According to the 2021 Census, 81.7% of 1,290 households in Hillcrest had internet — roughly 1,054 households online.
- Should I wait for FTTP in Hillcrest?
Good news — Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest better than Oakden for internet?
Hillcrest and Oakden are tied at 7.5/10. 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 Hillcrest
Looking for the fastest internet in the area? These nearby suburbs score highest.