With fast, reliable internet now an essential utility for Australian households and businesses, it’s more important than ever to understand the different fibre technologies available across the National Broadband Network (NBN). While all fibre-based services aim to deliver high-speed connectivity, not all are created equal.
In this article, we break down the four main fibre connection types available in Australia — FTTP, FTTB, FTTC, and FTTN — explaining how they work, and outlining the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision.
1. Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
What is FTTP?
FTTP is considered the gold standard of fibre internet in Australia. It involves running fibre optic cables directly from the NBN network all the way to your home or business premises. This offers the fastest and most stable internet connection available on the network.
Pros:
- Ultra-fast speeds (up to 1 Gbps and beyond)
- Extremely reliable and low latency
- Future-proof infrastructure with minimal signal degradation
Cons:
- Higher installation costs (especially for non-NBN upgrades)
- Limited availability in some suburbs unless requested via NBN’s Technology Choice Program
2. Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
What is FTTB?
FTTB is designed primarily for multi-dwelling units (like apartments). Fibre is run to the basement or main communications room of the building, then existing copper wiring is used to connect each individual unit.
Pros:
- Good speeds for most use cases (typically up to 100 Mbps)
- Cost-effective for multi-unit buildings
- Faster installation times for buildings already wired
Cons:
- Speed may vary depending on the quality and length of the copper inside the building
- Not as future-proof or consistent as FTTP
3. Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
What is FTTC?
FTTC brings fibre to a distribution point (often a pit) near the curb outside your property, typically within 10–40 metres. The final leg to your home is carried over the existing copper telephone line, but the short distance allows for higher speeds than FTTN.
Pros:
- Faster and more stable than FTTN
- Quick to deploy using existing copper infrastructure
- More consistent speeds in most areas
Cons:
- Still relies on copper for the final connection, limiting future scalability
- Can be impacted by poor in-home copper wiring
4. Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
What is FTTN?
FTTN is one of the most common fibre types rolled out during the early stages of the NBN. It uses fibre to connect to a local node or cabinet (usually within a few hundred metres of your home), and then uses existing copper telephone lines to complete the connection.
Pros:
- Widely available across Australia
- Lower rollout costs for NBN
Cons:
- Slower speeds (typically capped at around 100 Mbps, but often lower)
- Signal degradation over long copper runs
- More prone to congestion and performance issues
Which Fibre Type is Best for You?
| Fibre Type | Speed Potential | Reliability | Upgradeability | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTTP | Excellent | Excellent | High | Heavy users, businesses, 4K streamers |
| FTTB | Good | Good | Moderate | Apartment dwellers |
| FTTC | Good–Very Good | Good | Moderate | Family homes with high data needs |
| FTTN | Moderate | Fair | Low | Basic internet users in older suburbs |
Final Thoughts
While all NBN fibre types aim to deliver improved internet over legacy ADSL, understanding the differences between FTTP, FTTB, FTTC, and FTTN is key to setting the right expectations and future-proofing your digital experience. Where available, FTTP offers the best performance and scalability, while FTTC strikes a balance between speed and cost. FTTB works well in shared buildings, and FTTN, although the most limited, still supports essential online activities.
Before choosing an NBN plan, it’s worth checking which fibre technology your address is connected to — and considering an upgrade if performance is crucial to your work or lifestyle.