Internet in Scarborough, QLD 4020
The future is looking brighter for Scarborough — NBN Co has announced an FTTP fibre upgrade for the area, with 167 premises (3.2%) eligible. Currently on HFC across 5,183 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 HFC in Scarborough range from 25-250 Mbps, based on national ACCC broadband performance benchmarks. HFC shares bandwidth within a neighbourhood, so evening speeds can vary when many households are online. 81.3% of Scarborough's 3,647 households had an internet connection as of the 2021 Census.
Scarborough has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program — 167 premises (3.2%) are eligible. Households currently on HFC can upgrade to full fibre at no extra infrastructure cost through their internet provider.
In the broader area, Newport leads with 79.9% FTTP coverage, while Scarborough sits in the middle of the pack. Kippa Ring has the lowest fibre coverage at 9.6%. Coverage can vary even within a single suburb, so checking your specific address is always worthwhile.
Data last updated March 2026 · Sources: NBN Co, ABS Census, ACCC
"Improving — Scarborough is getting an FTTP upgrade. Currently on HFC but fibre is coming to 5,183 premises soon."
Est. $89–$119/mo for a family (NBN 250)
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 Building (FTTB) | 3.2% |
| Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) | 0% |
| Fibre to the Node (FTTN) | 3.4% |
| Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) | 10.8% |
| Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) | 82.6% |
| Unassigned (NULL) | 0.1% |
Speed Expectations by Technology
| Technology | Typical Speed | Max Available |
|---|---|---|
| FTTB (3.2%) | 44 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| FTTC (0%) | 46 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| FTTN (3.4%) | 43 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| FTTP (10.8%) | 90 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
| HFC (82.6%) | 47 Mbps | 250 Mbps |
| NULL (0.1%) | Data not available | |
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?
HFC across Scarborough's 5,183 premises provides solid downloads, though upload speeds may limit large file transfers with 81.3% of households online
With 82.6% HFC coverage, Scarborough's 5,183 premises enjoy strong download capacity for 4K streaming
HFC in Scarborough (82.6% of 5,183 premises) offers decent gaming, though uploads can affect competitive play
As a mid-sized suburb, Scarborough's HFC network comfortably supports 4-6 devices for typical household use
Scarborough's 82.6% HFC coverage handles standard video calls reliably, with upload limits affecting HD quality
Recommended NBN Plans
Get NBN 50 at $55-70/mo now in Scarborough — upgrade to a faster plan once FTTP arrives
For a couple in Scarborough, NBN 100 at $69-89/mo handles streaming and working from home on HFC
NBN 250 at $89-119/mo keeps Scarborough families connected across 4+ devices on HFC
Power users in Scarborough can push HFC to its limits with NBN 250 at $89-119/mo (HFC caps at NBN 250)
Once FTTP arrives in Scarborough, 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
Scarborough has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program.
167 premises (3.2%) are eligible for an upgrade from HFC 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 | 81.3% |
| Households with Broadband | 81.3% |
| Households with No Internet | 16.8% |
| Total Households | 3,647 |
Household internet data from ABS Census 2016. Actual current connectivity rates may differ.
Compare Nearby Suburbs
| Suburb | Tech Type | FTTP % | Score | Speed Range | Upgrade? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport, QLD | FTTP | 79.9% | 10 A+ | 25-1000 Mbps | Yes |
| Redcliffe, QLD | HFC | 7.7% | 5.5 C+ | 25-250 Mbps | Yes |
| Kippa Ring, QLD | HFC | 9.6% | 4.5 C | 25-250 Mbps | No |
| Margate, QLD | HFC | 2.9% | 5.5 C+ | 25-250 Mbps | Yes |
| Woody Point, QLD | HFC | 9.3% | 5.5 C+ | 25-250 Mbps | Yes |
Best Providers for HFC in Scarborough
FTTP is coming to Scarborough — 5,183 premises can soon upgrade. Lock in a great deal before demand spikes.
Telstra's network management on HFC is excellent — ACCC data consistently shows they deliver closest to plan speeds on cable connections. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Telstra plans →Also Recommended
Strong HFC performance with transparent congestion management. Their real-time speed tracking lets you monitor your HFC connection quality. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Aussie Broadband plans →
Competitive HFC pricing with solid evening performance. Good budget alternative on cable without sacrificing too much peak-hour speed. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Superloop plans →Compare Plans
| ISP | Speed Tier | Monthly Price | Promo Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra | NBN 1000 | $170.00/mo | From $170.00/mo | Go to site → |
| Aussie Broadband | NBN 1000 | $129.00/mo | From $129.00/mo | Go to site → |
| Superloop | NBN 1000 | $109.00/mo | From | Go to site → |
See all 9 providers in Scarborough
Decent HFC plans with entertainment bundle options. Their network handles cable connections well in most metro areas. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Optus plans →
Solid HFC performance with Fetch TV streaming bundles included. A good pick for households wanting cable broadband and entertainment together. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View iiNet plans →
Well-priced HFC broadband from one of Australia's longest-running independent ISPs. Reliable cable performance without the premium pricing. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Exetel plans →
Budget HFC option backed by the Vocus wholesale network. Delivers reasonable cable speeds at one of the lowest monthly price points. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Dodo plans →
Bare-bones HFC plans at rock-bottom prices from the Kogan family. If you just need fast cable internet without extras, Flip delivers. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Flip plans →
Prepaid HFC plans offer some of the lowest per-month costs when paid upfront. Worth considering if you want to lock in cable savings. With the FTTP upgrade coming to Scarborough, this becomes an even stronger choice for 5,183 premises.
View Kogan Internet plans →Switching to Superloop could save you ~$215/year vs the average plan
Rankings based on technology compatibility and value for Scarborough. 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 Scarborough, QLD have?
The primary NBN technology in Scarborough is HFC, serving the majority of 5,183 connected premises. The full technology mix is: HFC (82.6%), FTTP (10.8%), FTTN (3.4%), FTTB (3.2%).
- What internet speeds can I get in Scarborough, QLD?
Homes in Scarborough on HFC can expect typical evening download speeds of 25-250 Mbps based on ACCC benchmarks. HFC supports plans up to 250 Mbps.
- Is Scarborough, QLD getting an FTTP upgrade?
Yes, Scarborough has been announced for the NBN FTTP upgrade program. Approximately 167 premises (3.2%) are eligible.
- How many households have internet in Scarborough, QLD?
According to the 2021 Census, 81.3% of 3,647 households in Scarborough had internet — roughly 2,965 households online.
- Should I wait for FTTP in Scarborough?
Good news — Scarborough 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 Scarborough better than Newport for internet?
No — Newport scores 10.0/10, ahead of Scarborough at 6.5/10. Check your specific address for the most accurate picture.
- Can I get NBN 1000 in Scarborough, QLD?
HFC in Scarborough currently supports plans up to NBN 250. NBN 1000 on HFC may become available as NBN Co upgrades the network.
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 Scarborough
Looking for the fastest internet in the area? These nearby suburbs score highest.