If you’ve bought or rented in one of Geelong’s newer estates south of the city — Warralily, Armstrong Estate, Yaringa, Flinders Walk near Lara, or any of the OptiComm-coverage suburbs — there’s a real chance your address is on OptiComm fibre, NBN FTTP, or both. OptiComm is a private fibre network running alongside NBN. The performance on either is excellent; the difference is the provider list and the in-home wiring.
The quick version
OptiComm (now part of Uniti Group) is a private fibre network — an alternative to NBN. Several newer Geelong estates were originally rolled out on OptiComm — Warralily in Armstrong Creek being the biggest example. It’s still FTTP-grade fibre, just on a different network with a different provider list. NBN FTTP has also been deployed in many of these areas since, so the right answer is often “check both” rather than “OptiComm only” or “NBN only”.
What is OptiComm?
The price Uniti Group paid for OptiComm in November 2020. Many estate addresses still carry the OptiComm branding even though Uniti owns the network.
OptiComm is a private fibre network operator that builds FTTP infrastructure in new housing developments. Unlike NBN (which is government-owned), OptiComm is privately owned and operates its own network.
Same speed, different rules
OptiComm is private (owned by Uniti Group). NBN is government-owned.
OptiComm only at specific estates. NBN almost everywhere.
Around 50+ ISPs sell OptiComm plans now. NBN has 100+. Notable gap: Optus doesn't service OptiComm.
Up to 1 Gbps on both — same FTTP-grade fibre, different last-mile network owner.
OptiComm box looks different to an NBN NTD; routers plug in similarly.
Note: Other private fibre networks exist in Australia. LBNCo was merged into OptiComm in 2021. Some Bellarine estates use Internode Fibre Estates instead. See our guide to private fibre networks for the full picture.
OptiComm Estates in Geelong
Several Geelong-area estates were rolled out with OptiComm fibre. In some, OptiComm is the only fibre network that reaches the home; in others (especially the larger and older estates), NBN FTTP has been deployed alongside it. Always check both networks at your specific address before signing up.
Warralily Estate (Armstrong Creek)
Warralily is a large master-planned community in Armstrong Creek, south of Geelong. Developed by Newland Developers, it’s one of the biggest OptiComm deployments in the region with approximately 5,500 lots when complete.
What this means for Warralily residents:
- OptiComm FTTP is available across the estate as the original network
- NBN FTTP is also available at many addresses — always check the NBN address checker as well
- Speeds up to 1 Gbps on either network
- Wi-Fi connectivity in public amenities
- No satellite dishes or antennas required
- Future-proofed with additional fibre infrastructure pre-installed
- Important: the ISP shortlist is different on each network — choose the network first, then the plan
Armstrong Estate (Mount Duneed)
Developed by Villawood Properties, Armstrong Estate in Mount Duneed (postcode 3217) also features OptiComm Fibre to the Premises internet. Properties in this estate are marketed with OptiComm connectivity as a key selling point.
Note: Despite being called “Armstrong Creek” as a suburb, Armstrong Estate is technically located in Mount Duneed. The postcode 3217 covers Armstrong Creek, Charlemont, Freshwater Creek, and Mount Duneed.
Flinders Walk Estate (near Lara)
Developed by Bisinella Developments, Flinders Walk Estate near Lara features OptiComm Fibre to the Premises internet. Located approximately 15km north of Geelong CBD, this estate offers the same high-speed fibre connectivity as other OptiComm-enabled developments in the region.
Yaringa Estate (Mount Duneed)
Located in the Mount Duneed area (often referred to as Armstrong Creek), Yaringa Estate is a newer development. Check your specific address to confirm whether you have OptiComm or NBN, as infrastructure can vary by development phase.
Other Potential OptiComm Areas
New estates are constantly being developed across Greater Geelong’s growth corridors. If you’re buying in a new Geelong-area development, always check whether they use OptiComm or NBN - never assume it’s NBN.
The confusing bit
The biggest mistake we see is people assuming “I’m in Armstrong Creek so I’m on OptiComm” or “I’m in Armstrong Creek so I’m on NBN”. Both can be wrong, even on the same street.
Here’s where it gets tricky for Geelong residents: different technologies can exist on the same street.
Four reasons OptiComm and NBN coexist block-to-block
Different developers chose different networks at different times during the rollout.
NBN's own rollout timing varied across the Armstrong Creek growth corridor.
Some properties were built before fibre was available at all.
Estate boundaries don't always follow street boundaries — your street might be in two estates.
Real example: In parts of Armstrong Creek and surrounding areas, you might find OptiComm on one side of the street and NBN on the other. Or a newer house with OptiComm next to an older house on Fixed Wireless.
How to check what you actually have
- Look for OptiComm: white box in the meter cupboard, or check your estate welcome pack. Address checker: opticomm.net.au.
- Check for NBN: the address checker at nbnco.com.au/check-your-address.
- Still unsure? Contact your estate’s body corporate or developer — they’ll know exactly which network was installed.
Choosing an ISP on OptiComm
OptiComm has fewer ISPs than NBN, but you still have options:
Major ISPs that support OptiComm (as of January 2026):
- Telstra (covers approximately half of OptiComm footprint)
- Aussie Broadband
- Superloop
- iiNet
- Origin
- Launtel
- Exetel
- And many more - over 50 providers total
ISPs that DON’T support OptiComm:
- Optus (uses own network instead)
The provider situation has improved significantly since OptiComm’s early days. Check the OptiComm service providers list for the full, current list - you’ll likely find more options than you expect.
OptiComm Speeds
OptiComm offers similar speeds to NBN FTTP:
| Plan | Download | Upload |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 25 Mbps | 5-10 Mbps |
| Standard | 50 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Fast | 100 Mbps | 40 Mbps |
| Superfast | 250 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| Ultrafast | 1000 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
Actual plan names and speeds vary by ISP. Because it’s genuine FTTP, you get consistent speeds without the distance-related issues of FTTN.
OptiComm vs NBN FTTP
| Feature | OptiComm | NBN FTTP |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Fibre to premises | Fibre to premises |
| Max speed | 1000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps (new) |
| ISP choice | Limited | Extensive |
| Equipment | OptiComm NTD | NBN NTD |
| Reliability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Availability | Specific estates only | Nationwide |
Which is better? They’re both excellent technologies. NBN has more ISP choice and now offers faster top speeds (2 Gbps). OptiComm works just as well for most households but with fewer provider options.
Moving to an OptiComm Area
If you’re buying or renting in a new Geelong estate:
- Check the address before signing - know what network you’ll be on
- Research ISPs that service OptiComm if applicable
- Don’t assume your current provider will work - verify first
- Factor it in - limited ISP choice might affect your decision
The bottom line
OptiComm in Geelong — including Warralily, Armstrong Estate, Yaringa (all in the Armstrong Creek area) and Flinders Walk near Lara — is excellent technology. You’ll get fast, reliable fibre internet with speeds up to 1 Gbps. The trade-off is fewer ISP choices than NBN, but with over 50 providers now supporting OptiComm, you’ll find a plan that works for you.
Before moving to any new Geelong-area estate, always check what network is installed so you can plan your internet service accordingly.
Related reading
- Private fibre networks — the broader picture beyond OptiComm
- Geelong’s internet history — how the city ended up with so many networks
- Service areas across Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine — suburb-by-suburb context
Official resources
- OptiComm Address Checker — Check if your address has OptiComm
- OptiComm Service Providers — Full list of ISPs available on OptiComm
- NBN Address Checker — Check if your address has NBN instead
- Aussie Broadband OptiComm Plans — Example provider with OptiComm plans
Common questions
Is OptiComm worse than NBN?+
No — the underlying technology is equally good. Both are fibre to the premises and capable of gigabit speeds. The difference is purely on the retail side: NBN has more ISP choice. OptiComm now has 50+ providers, which is plenty for most households.
Can I switch from OptiComm to NBN at the same address?+
Generally no. Your property is connected to one fibre network or the other — and OptiComm and NBN are physically separate networks. You can't change the underlying infrastructure unless your developer or estate body corporate negotiates it.
Why did my estate choose OptiComm instead of NBN?+
Developers make that decision before homes are built. OptiComm typically offers developers commercial incentives and a faster deployment timeline than waiting on NBN's queue, so growth-corridor builders often go with them.
Will my Optus internet plan work at an OptiComm address?+
No. Optus runs its own NBN-resale and 5G home services, but doesn't currently service OptiComm. If you're moving to a Warralily, Armstrong, Yaringa or Flinders Walk address, you'll need to switch ISP. Telstra, Aussie Broadband, Superloop, iiNet, Origin, Launtel and others all support OptiComm.
How do I tell whether my address is OptiComm or NBN?+
Look for an OptiComm-branded box on the wall (usually white) versus an NBN-branded NTD. Or check both address checkers — opticomm.com.au and nbnco.com.au — and you'll see which one comes up. Estate welcome packs usually mention the network too.
Can I get Fixed Wireless if I don't like my OptiComm ISP options?+
Technically you might be able to use Telstra/Optus 5G home internet, but it'd be slower and more expensive than the OptiComm fibre you've already got. Fibre is always the better answer when it's already running into your house.