The Quick Version
Geelong’s internet story is different from most Australian cities. A cable TV network built in the 1990s evolved into an internet provider that still operates today alongside NBN. This gives some Geelong residents options that don’t exist elsewhere.
The Late 1990s/Early 2000s: Cable Comes to Geelong
While Neighbourhood Cable started in Mildura in 1996, the Geelong network came later. Neighbourhood Cable - a Ballarat-based telecommunications company (NOT Austar, as is sometimes incorrectly stated) - rolled out hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cables through inner Geelong suburbs.
These cables were run down streets and into homes, originally for cable television and broadband internet.
Areas covered included:
- Geelong CBD and surrounds
- Newtown and Geelong West
- East Geelong and South Geelong
- Belmont and Highton
- Parts of Grovedale and Corio
The 2000s-2010s: Ownership Changes
The network changed hands several times but kept running:
Timeline:
- 2007: TransACT acquired Neighbourhood Cable (effective January 2008)
- 2011: Neighbourhood Cable brand retired, merged into TransACT
- November 2011: iiNet acquired TransACT
- 2015: TPG acquired iiNet
- 2022: Network moved to Vision Network (TPG’s wholesale division)
Throughout this period, Geelong cable subscribers often had faster internet than friends on ADSL. While dial-up was still common in some areas, cable subscribers were downloading at speeds that wouldn’t become standard until NBN.
The NBN Era (2010s-Now)
When NBN arrived in Geelong, something interesting happened: the cable network didn’t shut down.
Why it survived:
- NBN focused on replacing copper phone lines
- The cable network was separate infrastructure
- iiNet continued offering service to existing areas
The result: Some Geelong homes can now choose between NBN (usually FTTN) and iiNet Cable. This is rare in Australia - most addresses have NBN as their only fixed-line option.
What This Means Today
If you’re in a Geelong suburb that had Neighbourhood Cable:
- Check your address with both NBN and iiNet
- You may have a choice that most Australians don’t
- Compare the options - neither is always better
- Consider your needs - upload vs download, provider flexibility, etc.
Geelong’s Current Internet Landscape
| Technology | Where | Provider(s) |
|---|---|---|
| NBN FTTP | New estates, some upgrades | Multiple |
| NBN FTTN | Most established suburbs | Multiple |
| NBN HFC | Some areas | Multiple |
| iiNet Cable | Inner Geelong legacy areas | iiNet only |
| 5G Home | Where coverage exists | Telstra, Optus |
| Starlink | Rural/regional | Starlink |
The Outer Suburbs
Areas developed after the cable rollout (Armstrong Creek, Mount Duneed, Charlemont) went straight to NBN. These newer areas typically have FTTP - the best NBN technology.
Meanwhile, some older suburbs ended up with FTTN, which can be slower than the 1990s cable network in neighbouring streets. The irony isn’t lost on long-time residents.
Regional Variations
Beyond Geelong:
- Surf Coast (Torquay, Anglesea): NBN, some Fixed Wireless
- Bellarine (Ocean Grove, Queenscliff): Mix of FTTN and FTTP
- Golden Plains: Mostly Fixed Wireless and Satellite
- Colac-Otway: Mix of technologies, some Starlink uptake
Why This Matters
Understanding Geelong’s internet history explains:
- Why some streets have choices others don’t
- Why your neighbour might have different speeds
- Why “just get NBN” isn’t always the obvious answer
- Why local knowledge matters when fixing internet problems
Official Resources
- NBN Address Checker - Check what NBN technology is available at your address
- iiNet Cable Plans - Check if cable internet is available at your Geelong address
- OptiComm Service Providers - List of providers for OptiComm estates