Fibre optic internet

What is fibre optic internet?

Fibre optic internet uses thin strands of glass or plastic fibres to carry data using light. On the nbn® network, fibre can form all or part of a Fixed Line connection. How far it runs towards your premises depends on the technology type available at your address.

What fibre technology types are used on the nbn®?

The nbn® technology type determines how far fibre reaches your premises:

• FTTP: fibre runs directly to the premises.
• FTTB: fibre runs to the building, with the building’s wiring completing the connection.
• FTTC: fibre runs to a pit near the property, with copper used for the final stretch.
• FTTN: fibre runs to a street node, with copper used for the final stretch.
• HFC: fibre is combined with coaxial cable for the final connection to the property.

See our FTTB, FTTN, FTTC, FTTP and HFC guides for more detail. Not sure which technology type you have? Check your address to see what is available at your place.

What are the advantages of fibre optic internet?

The benefits depend on the nbn® technology type available at your address and the plan you choose. In general, fibre allows more of the connection to be carried over fibre optic cabling rather than older copper-based infrastructure.

FTTP runs fibre directly to the premises and may give you access to higher-speed plans. Other Fixed Line technologies use copper, building wiring or coaxial cable for part of the connection, so available speeds and the overall experience can vary.

What this means in practice is that two homes in the same street can have different technology types, and a neighbour’s result is not a reliable guide to your own. Homes connected at different stages of the rollout, a redeveloped block and a newer estate can all be served differently. The address check is the only way to know.

For context on older copper-based services, see our ADSL guide. For current FTTP speed information, see our FTTP speed guide. If you’re considering what matters when choosing a provider, our fibre optic internet providers page covers factors such as plan terms, support and availability.

How is fibre connected to a house?

There is no single fibre installation method. The technology type at your address determines where fibre ends and what wiring completes the connection to the premises.

nbn® determines and allocates the technology type available at each address. Check your address to see what is available before choosing a plan.

For a full-fibre connection, see our fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) guide.

Is fibre optic widely available in Australia?

Fibre availability varies by address. Some premises use a Fixed Line technology such as FTTP, FTTB, FTTC, FTTN or HFC, while Fixed Wireless or Satellite Internet may be available at other addresses.

Start with the Skymesh address checker to see the nbn® technology type and plans available at your property. You can also explore internet bundles if you want to see available extras alongside your service.

If you are already on a Fixed Line connection and want to know what an upgrade would involve, our FTTP upgrade eligibility guide sets out how nbn® decides eligibility and what happens once an eligible plan is ordered. Eligibility is set by nbn®, address by address, and it is tied to ordering an eligible plan.

Check your address to see what is available at your place.

Why choose Skymesh for fibre optic internet

Skymesh is Australian-owned, with over 20 years helping Aussies stay connected wherever they call home, from the city to the bush. 

Skymesh plans have no lock-in contract and no demand surcharges, so you are not tied in while you work out what suits your household. 

Skymesh also offers free standard installation (nbn® charges may apply for non-standard installations). Every Skymesh plan comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Terms, conditions, and eligibility apply.

Check what’s available at your address

Check your address to see the nbn® technology type and Skymesh plans available at your property. If your address is not recognised, contact our team and we can help with an address query.

Skymesh plans run over whichever Fixed Line technology type nbn® has allocated at your address. To see what you can order and what it costs, start with an address check, then read the plan page and its Critical Information Summary. 

Call Skymesh on 1300 759 637. 

Get connected with Skymesh

Check your address to see what is available at your place, or call Skymesh on 1300 759 637. Give us a shout, we’re here to help. 

*Free standard installations exclude the new development and subsequent installation charges.