NBN Explained: Connections, Plans and Providers

The NBN (National Broadband Network), is Australia’s nationwide internet infrastructure. It uses different technologies to deliver internet to homes and businesses, depending on your location and building type.

You can check your NBN connection type by entering your address in our search tool.

 

Types of NBN Connections with amaysim

  • FTTP (Fibre to the Premises): A fibre-optic cable runs direct to your home. This is the fastest connection possible.
  • FTTC (Fibre to the Curb): Fibre to the street, then copper to your home.
  • FTTN (Fibre to the Node): Copper wiring between your home and the NBN Node.
  • FTTB (Fibre to the Building): For multi-dwelling buildings, fibre-optic cables run to the building then copper wiring takes the connection into each apartment.
  • HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial): Using pre-existing Pay TV coaxial cables.

For more detailed information on the NBN, please see our article titled ‘What is NBN: Guide to Australian NBN Internet’.

 

NBN Eligibility and Cost?

  • Most Australian homes and businesses are eligible for the NBN.
  • Connection is usually free for existing homes, but a fee may apply for brand new homes.
  • To access the NBN, you’ll need to sign up to a plan with an internet provider (like amaysim). You will also need a compatible modem.
  • Different plans offer different speeds. Your plan choices will depend on the type of NBN connection you have. For example, the NBN500 won’t be available for addresses with Fibre to the Node connection).
  • Choose a plan based on the speed you need, higher speeds generally cost more (for example, a high-level gamer or video-streamer will need faster speeds than someone mainly using the internet to check emails or do light web-browsing).
  • You may also need to supply your own compatible modem depending on your plan and provider.

 

NBN Speed Plans

As mentioned above, your speed options depend on your NBN technology. Faster plans (like NBN500) aren’t available on some connections, such as FTTN.

amaysim offers six NBN plans. The Typical Busy Period download/upload speeds (7pm-11pm) of each of our NBN plans are set out below:

  • NBN25 (25/8 Mbps): Great for 1-2 people, basic streaming, general browsing and shopping.
  • NBN50 (50/18 Mbps): Great for 2-3 people, HD video streaming and video calls from home.
  • NBN100 (100/18 Mbps) (FTTB/FTTC/FTTN only): Great for 3-5 people, HD streaming, gaming and faster downloads.
  • NBN500 (500/43 Mbps) (FTTP/HFC only)*: Great for 5+ people, 4K video streaming, faster downloads and serious gaming.
  • NBN750 (680/43 Mbps) (FTTP/HFC only)*: Great for 5+ people, video streaming, even faster downloads and serious gaming.
  • NBN1000 (800/80 Mbps) (FTTP/HFC only)*: Great for 5+ people, ultrafast downloads, faster upload and multiple high demand devices.

 

See our NBN plans page and Key Facts Sheet to help you determine which plan is right for you.

*The Typical Busy Period Speeds advertised for the new nbn speed tiers are our best estimate, based on the available speed data. This is not based on the speeds observed for a representative sample (with the exception of the Ultrafast download speed). Once more data is available, the new nbn speed tier speed information will be updated.

NBN 500, NBN 750 and NBN 1000 (FTTP/HFC) are only available to eligible customers and/or as part of eligible plans only. It is your responsibility to ensure your self-supplied modem can achieve your amaysim nbn plan speed and can be used with the amaysim internet service. Your choice of modem and in-home set up could limit you from utilising the maximum speed of your broadband plan.

 

Changing NBN Providers

Because the NBN is accessed through telecommunications providers, you can switch at any time, provided you’re not locked into a contract. amaysim makes it simple, offering:

  • Unlimited data (Fair Go Policy applies)
  • No lock-in contract
  • 30-day satisfaction guarantee
  • A range of great value plans to meet every need and budget

 

Learn More

Please visit our NBN Hub for details on our plans.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

NBN and WiFi are different but are both important. The National Broadband Network brings the internet into your home or business using wires and cables. You can then use a router /modem to create a WiFi network within your home to connect your devices to the NBN internet.

The National Broadband Network (NBN) uses a range of fibre optic, copper and other cable technologies to connect your home to the internet. This is determined according to the location and design of your house. You can look up which technology is used at your address at the NBN Rollout website.