NBN speed tiers explained — which one do you actually need?

Why this happens

• Speed figures are maximums, not guarantees — actual speeds depend on your NBN technology, time of day, and how your ISP manages its network
• The number of connected devices matters far less than what those devices are doing at the same moment
• Upload speed is rarely highlighted but makes a real difference for video calls and working from home
• Your NBN technology limits which tiers are available — copper-based connections cap at 100 Mbps; the faster tiers require FTTP or HFC

How to fix it — step by step

1. 1. Think about your busiest moment, not your average use

   A household of five people who browse social media and watch one TV at a time uses far less bandwidth than two people doing simultaneous 4K streaming and Teams calls. Picture 7 pm on a weeknight — that is the moment your plan needs to handle. How many screens are running? Is anyone on a video call? Are there game downloads or cloud backups happening in the background?

2. 2. 25 Mbps — a practical, honest choice for 1 to 2 people

   Everyday browsing, email, HD streaming on one screen, and video calls all run comfortably on 25 Mbps. A single 4K stream requires about 20–25 Mbps, leaving little room for anything else at the same time. For a smaller household where that is normal use, 25 Mbps is not a compromise — it is the right size. If it also fits your budget, HIT Pacific offers fortnightly billing on this tier through the Fair Go plan. Just mention it when you sign up.

3. 3. 50 to 100 Mbps — the right range for most Australian households

   50 Mbps handles 2 to 3 people simultaneously without anyone noticing: HD streaming on two screens, a video call, and background downloads running at the same time. 100 Mbps adds headroom for 4K on one screen while others are online, and comfortable working from home with video calls. If your address has a copper connection (FTTN, FTTB, or FTTC), 100 Mbps is the practical ceiling — and for most households on copper, it is plenty.

4. 4. 500 Mbps — the right call for busy family nights

   Picture a typical weeknight: two screens streaming 4K, a video call in the study, a teenager gaming online, and something downloading in the background. At 250 Mbps that gets tight; at 500 Mbps, everyone gets what they need without anyone noticing anyone else. On FTTP and HFC, the 500 Mbps plan is HIT Pacific's Family Friendly pick. One important note: if your address has a copper connection (FTTN, FTTB, or FTTC), this tier is not available — copper tops out at 100 Mbps regardless of plan. Check your address at hitpacific.com.au to confirm what is available at your place.

5. 5. 1000 Mbps — the upload speed is usually the reason, not the download

   For most households, 1000 Mbps download is faster than any single device can use. The case for it is upload: HFC 1000 Mbps plans include 100 Mbps upload, double what most lower tiers offer. If two or more people work from home simultaneously, upload is the bottleneck, not download. If that does not describe your household, 500 Mbps delivers everything you need. Honest answer to whether 1000 Mbps is overkill: for most people, yes — but for the right household, the upload difference is worth it.

6. 6. Check Typical Evening Speed, not just the plan number

   ISPs are required to publish a Typical Evening Speed — the realistic download speed between 7 pm and 11 pm on a weeknight. This figure is more useful than the plan maximum. A 100 Mbps plan with a Typical Evening Speed of 95 Mbps is better value than a 250 Mbps plan with 80 Mbps typical. Ask before you sign up, or check the CIS (Critical Information Summary) for the plan you are considering.

7. 7. Check what your address actually supports

   Your NBN technology determines which tiers are physically available. FTTN, FTTB, and FTTC (copper connections) cap at 100 Mbps regardless of what you pay for. FTTP and HFC can access 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Mbps. Enter your address at hitpacific.com.au — the address checker shows which technologies and plans are available at your place before you sign up.