KEY POINTS
- The term ‘NBN’ refers to the National Broadband Network, not to be confused with NBN Co, the company responsible for its installation and upkeep.
- Internet service providers purchase bandwidth wholesale from NBN Co to sell to their customers.
- The NBN plans available to you will depend on the NBN connection type used at your address.
Although there’s multiple broadband options available in Australia, the majority of Aussies are now connected through the NBN. In January 2025, 8.6 million Australian homes and businesses were connected to an NBN plan.
If you’ve been wondering what exactly the NBN is and how it works, read our guide to answer the question, “what is the NBN?”.
On this page:
What is ‘NBN’?
NBN stands for ‘National Broadband Network’, and is a government-owned fast internet network available across Australia. The NBN is powered by a combination of technology, including copper wires, cable broadband and optical fibre, to deliver high internet speeds to Australian homes. The NBN rollout finished in 2020, however upgrades to the network are still ongoing.
The NBN delivers faster internet speeds than ADSL and 4G connections, with speeds of up to 1000Mbps possible. This makes activities like video streaming and online gaming quick and easy compared to slower connections. Rather than using only copper wiring like ADSL connections, the NBN uses fibre-optic lines to deliver faster internet and limit bandwidth tension, meaning an overall better experience.
In order to access the NBN, you’ll need to sign up to a plan with one of the many available NBN providers.
What does NBN do?
NBN Co, the company responsible for the rollout and operation of the NBN, acts as the wholesaler for NBN providers, who then deliver NBN services to homes and businessess. NBN providers, also known as internet service providers (ISPs), include telcos like Telstra, Optus and TPG, and are the companies you’ll buy your NBN plan from.
Think of the process like this:
- NBN Co is the company responsible for managing the NBN network.
- NBN providers pay NBN Co (the wholesaler) to deliver their plans to customers.
- You (the customer) get to choose your NBN provider to deliver your home internet service, and pay that provider for your plan each month.
NBN connection types
In order to deliver internet access to your home via the NBN, your home needs to be connected to the network. There are several different technology types that connect your home to the NBN. These NBN connection types are:
- Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
- Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
- Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
- Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
- Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
- Fixed wireless
- Satellite (SkyMuster)
Depending on the connection type you have, you might not have access to the fastest NBN speeds available. For example, an FTTP connection will allow you to take out a plan with higher download speeds than is possible on an FTTN connection. SkyMuster and fixed wireless plans are also sold and priced separately from fibre and HFC plans, as they’re only available in regional areas.
NBN offers you might like
The following table shows a selection of sponsored unlimited data Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50), and Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners..
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $65.00) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$65.00 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $68.90) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$68.90 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $79.99) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$79.99 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
Unlimited Home Standard (NBN 50) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost (excluding discounts), from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited Home Fast (NBN 100) Plans
The table below shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Who connects NBN to your house?
The NBN is installed in your home or local area by NBN Co, free of charge. The exception to this is if your home is in a new development area, in which case you may be required to pay a new development charge of $300. If this applies to you, you’ll be informed by your provider at sign-up.
Your internet provider may also require you to pay a setup or installation cost separate to the NBN Co installer. Before signing up to any NBN plan, make sure you read the Critical Information Summary and full details of the plan to see if there are any extra or hidden fees you will need to pay upfront. Many providers also offer a new NBN-ready modem, which may be included with your plan or as a paid optional extra.
Aside from setup costs, you will need to pay your internet bill — as you would any other internet service — to your NBN provider for supplying your service. This is an ongoing charge that is billed monthly.
What are the NBN speeds?
Understanding the different NBN speeds and which speed tier you need is a good starting point when choosing an NBN plan. As not all NBN providers offer plans across all speed tiers, your pool of providers may be limited. The speed tiers also determine how much you’ll pay for your NBN plan — the faster the speed, the more expensive the plan usually is.
Speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) – the higher the Mbps, the faster your plan sends or receives data.
- NBN 12 – 12/1: 12 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload. Also known as Home Basic I.
- NBN 25 – 25/5: 25 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload. Also known as Home Basic II.
- NBN 50 – 50/20: 50 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload. Also known as Home Standard.
- NBN 100/20 – 100/20: 100 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload. A new speed tier, this is sometimes known as Home Fast, or just NBN 100/20.
- NBN 100 – 100/40: 100 Mbps download, 40 Mbps upload. Also known as Home Fast, or just NBN/40.
- NBN 250 – 250/25: 250 Mbps download, 25Mbps upload. Also known as Home Superfast.
- NBN 1000 – 1000/50: 1000 Mbps download, 50 Mbps upload. Also known as Home Ultrafast.
Keep in mind that this will be affected by your connection type. The best way to check which speeds are available to you is to enter your address on the website of the internet provider you’re interested in to see what speeds are available at your address.
Compare NBN plans
If you’re looking for an NBN plan, comparing a range of different NBN providers can help you find the best plan to suit your needs and budget. You can compare plans in the below tables.
Unlimited NBN 100 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 50 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 25 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 25 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 12 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 12 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Is my house connected to the NBN?
If you were at your current home when NBN became available,, you may have received notice from your internet provider when you were able to make the switch. Otherwise, it’s easy to check if your house is connected to the NBN:
- For FTTP connections, you should have a box installed on the inside and outside of your property.
- For FTTC, FTTP and HFC connections, there’ll be a connection box somewhere near your property that’s allowing you to access the network.
- For wireless connections, you’ll either have a satellite dish or an antenna fixed to your property.
If you’re still not sure, you can contact your internet provider and ask. Otherwise, you can check your address on the NBN Co website to see if you have NBN in your area and if your home is connected. You’ll also be able to see which NBN connection type you have.
FAQs about NBN
Once the NBN has been installed in your area, you’ll have up to 18 months to switch over to the network before your old ADSL internet connection is turned off. You can opt out of the NBN, but it means that you’ll be left without a fixed-line internet connection to your home. If you choose not to sign up to a plan on the NBN, you might want to look for an appropriate wireless broadband service or other internet service such as Starlink.
There’s more than one alternative to the NBN available. If you want internet on the go, consider picking up a mobile broadband plan. If you’re after a home internet solution, consider home wireless broadband, which offers larger data allowances..
Other options include Starlink which is available through most of Australia, and private fibre networks such as OptiComm.
NBN plans start from around $50 per month, but for this you’ll typically only receive the slowest speed, NBN 12. Slower speeds are generally cheaper, with many cheap NBN plans under $70.
If you’re looking at plans on NBN 50 or above and need unlimited data, these plans can start anywhere from around $70 per month, and go up to around $90-$100. The fastest NBN speeds can easily cost over $100.
You might also find some of the more expensive plans are bundled plans with extra inclusions such as entertainment add-ons.
Yes. Unlike Australian phone networks, all NBN providers are powered by the same network, which is operated by NBN Co. However, the bandwidth these providers purchase – plus the speeds they offer to customers – will still have an impact on your user experience at home.
No, unlike ADSL, a home phone isn’t a requirement for the NBN. However, if you want to keep using your landline number, you can still access your home phone through the NBN with a VoIP service, which allows you to call people through the network.
If you’re dissatisfied with the speed of your NBN connection, you can get a quote from NBN Co to change your connection type to Fibre-to-the Premises, which allows for speeds up to 1000Mbps. NBN Co is currently rolling out its free fibre upgrade program to selected FTTN and FTTC addresses. Its Technology Choice Program also gives you the option of upgrading your connection at a cost.
5G offers faster maximum speeds than slower NBN plans, but it’s not yet an NBN killer. 5G coverage is comparatively limited across Australia, with its rollout still not finished. It could be an alternative to the NBN, but it’s unlikely to replace the NBN entirely.
If there’s a problem with your NBN connection, such as line damage causing constant dropouts, or if you’d like to make an enquiry about contractor conduct or technology locations, you can call NBN Co on 1800 687 626.
If you have issues with speed, network outages, connection dropouts or missing equipment like modems, you should contact your NBN provider.
NBN and broadband are typically used interchangeably as terms to describe an internet connection. Another way to describe broadband is as an internet connection equal to or greater than ADSL connection in terms of speed. Simply put, NBN is a type of broadband, as is home wireless broadband and mobile broadband.
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