The Quick Version
FTTN (Fibre to the Node) is where fibre optic cable runs to a neighbourhood cabinet (the “node”), then your existing copper phone line carries the signal the rest of the way to your home. Your speed depends entirely on how far you are from that node.
How FTTN Works
- High-speed fibre connects to a node in your street (green cabinet)
- Your old copper phone line connects your home to that node
- A special modem (VDSL2) decodes the signal
- The further you are from the node, the slower your connection
The copper phone line was never designed for high-speed data. VDSL2 technology pushes it as far as it can go, but there are physical limits.
The Distance Problem
With FTTN, distance from the node directly affects your maximum speed:
| Distance from Node | Typical Maximum Speed |
|---|---|
| Within 200m | 90-100 Mbps |
| 200-400m | 60-80 Mbps |
| 400-600m | 40-60 Mbps |
| 600-800m | 25-40 Mbps |
| Beyond 800m | 25 Mbps or less |
These are rough guides - actual speeds depend on your specific line quality too.
What You Can Control (and What You Can’t)
You CAN’T change:
- Your distance from the node
- The quality of the copper in the street
- The underlying technology
You CAN optimise:
- Your internal wiring (use the first phone socket)
- Your modem (quality matters)
- Your router and WiFi setup
- Removing unnecessary phone extensions
The Equipment
With FTTN, you need:
- VDSL2 modem-router - Plugs into your phone socket
- Phone line filter - If you use a landline phone
- Central filter - Sometimes installed at the connection point
The modem syncs with the node and establishes your line speed. This “sync speed” is your maximum - you can’t exceed it regardless of your plan.
Checking Your Sync Speed
Your modem should show your line’s sync speed:
- Log into your modem (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
- Look for “DSL Status” or “Line Stats”
- Find “Downstream Sync Rate” and “Upstream Sync Rate”
If your sync speed is 50 Mbps, buying an NBN 100 plan won’t help - your line physically can’t go faster.
FTTN Frustrations
Common issues with FTTN:
- Speed varies by distance - Neighbours can have very different speeds
- Weather can affect performance - Copper is sensitive to moisture
- Peak time slowdowns - If your ISP is overselling capacity
- Line faults - Older copper degrades over time
FTTN Upgrade Options
If you’re stuck with slow FTTN, you have some options:
- Wait for free upgrade: NBN Co is upgrading some FTTN areas to FTTP
- Pay for upgrade: “Fibre Connect” program (costs vary)
- Alternative services: 5G home internet, if available
- Move house: Only half joking - some people factor this in
Check nbnco.com.au for upgrade availability at your address.
Is Your Slow Speed FTTN or WiFi?
Before blaming FTTN:
- Connect a laptop directly to your modem via ethernet
- Run a speed test
- Compare to your sync speed
If the wired test matches your sync speed but WiFi is slower, the problem is your WiFi setup, not NBN. This is actually good news - WiFi problems are fixable.
Official Resources
- NBN Address Checker - Check what NBN technology and speeds are available at your address
- NBN FTTN Information - Official NBN FTTN explainer
- Fibre Connect Upgrade Program - Check if you can upgrade from FTTN to FTTP
- ACCC Broadband Performance - Independent speed monitoring data