FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTC, Fixed Wireless — NBN connection types explained.

Why this happens

• The NBN was built using a multi-technology mix — fibre in some areas, upgraded cable in others, copper last-mile connections in many
• Technology type varies street by street and sometimes premise by premise within the same building
• Your connection type sets a hard ceiling on speeds available to you regardless of what plan you buy
• Equipment at your premises differs significantly between types — FTTP has a fibre NTD on the wall; FTTN has no NBN box at all

How to fix it — step by step

1. 1. FTTP — Fibre to the Premises (fastest, most future-proof)

   A fibre optic cable runs directly from the street to a white box (NTD — Network Termination Device) on your wall. FTTP delivers speeds up to 2000 Mbps download and 200 Mbps upload with low latency and no dependence on copper quality. If your address has FTTP, you have access to the full range of NBN speed tiers. FTTP is also the target technology for NBN Co's ongoing upgrade program — many addresses on other technologies are being progressively upgraded to fibre.

2. 2. HFC — Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (fast, uses existing cable infrastructure)

   HFC runs fibre from the street to a node, then uses existing coaxial cable (the same type used for pay-TV) to your premises. A small NTD box is installed inside your home. HFC supports speeds up to 2000 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, with good latency and reliability. It is common in areas that previously had pay-TV cable. Because the coaxial segment is short, HFC is the second-best NBN technology for most households.

3. 3. FTTC — Fibre to the Curb (good copper last-mile performance)

   Fibre runs to a small Distribution Connection Device in the street pit at your kerb, then existing copper phone wiring covers the final few metres to your home. A small white NCD (Network Connection Device) connects inside near your phone socket. Because the copper segment is very short — typically under 30 metres — FTTC can deliver close to 100 Mbps reliably and is far less affected by copper degradation than FTTN.

4. 4. FTTN and FTTB — Fibre to the Node or Building (copper limited)

   FTTN runs fibre to a street cabinet (node), then copper phone line to your premises — the copper segment can be hundreds of metres long. FTTB is the same model but the node is inside your apartment building. There is no NBN box at your premises; your router plugs into the phone socket. Maximum speed depends heavily on copper line length and condition — in theory up to 100 Mbps but many FTTN addresses achieve far less due to line length or copper quality. FTTN and FTTB are the primary targets for the FTTP upgrade program.

5. 5. Fixed Wireless — radio signal from a tower to your roof

   A small antenna is mounted on your roof pointing at an NBN transmission tower. This technology serves rural and semi-rural addresses not reached by fibre or cable. Speeds range from 75 to 400 Mbps depending on your NTD version and tower capacity. Fixed Wireless is a shared wireless medium — tower congestion during peak hours can reduce speeds. Upload is capped at 8–20 Mbps by the technology. V3 and V4 NTDs support higher speed tiers; older V1 and V2 units cap at lower speeds.

6. 6. How to find out which type you have

   Go to nbnco.com.au and enter your address — it shows your technology type and any upgrade options available. You can also identify your type by looking at your equipment: a white wall-mounted box with a fibre cable means FTTP; a coaxial cable and small NTD means HFC; a small white device near the kerb and short copper run means FTTC; no box at all with the router plugging into the phone socket means FTTN or FTTB; a rooftop antenna means Fixed Wireless. Enter your address at hitpacific.com.au to see your technology and available plans in one step.