FTTP vs FTTN

If you are confused about FTTP vs FTTN, then you are not alone. There are many nbn® connection types, and each one of them has its own benefits and disadvantages. Both FTTP and FTTN are wired connection technologies that make use of physical cables to deliver broadband to users. But what’s the difference?

Let Skymesh help you understand the difference between FTTP vs FTTN. As the leading specialised regional internet provider for the nbn® network, we want to help you understand the terminology related to internet services so you can make an informed decision.

While urban areas have usually been able to enjoy the perks of developing infrastructure, regional areas have not been able to benefit as quickly and have had to settle for older, less reliable technology. We aim to bridge this digital divide by providing services to previously underserved homes and businesses across regional and remote Australia.

How do FTTP and FTTN differ from each other?

There are several types of nbn® connections available in the country, including Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC), and Fixed Wireless (FW). So how do FTTP vs FTTN stack up? Let’s break them down.

FTTN uses the existing copper networks in your area to deliver internet to your home. This copper network is usually located in a nearby street cabinet in your neighbourhood or in your building’s communications room. The data travels from the internet exchange through fibre optic cables to the street cabinet and then through copper cables to your home.

On the other hand, a FTTP connection delivers internet through an optical-fibre cable directly to your premises from a nearby fibre node. Fibre optic cables are composed of thin strands of glass that enable the delivery of high-speed broadband services directly to your home.

Each individual glass fibre within the cable has a diameter that is about as thin as a human hair, and together they facilitate the rapid transmission of data across the cable, which is faster than copper depending on the distance from the node. This is why, when it comes to FTTP vs FTTN, FTTP plans are usually preferred whenever they are available.

How do I choose the best type of nbn® connection for my home?

Now that you understand the FTTP vs FTTN differences, keep in mind that the network allocates certain technologies to each area depending on their location, proximity to available infrastructure, and the spread of population. You can research and compare internet options like nbn® 25 plans or nbn® 50 plans and pricing to determine which one fits your budget and meets your internet usage requirements.

Consider how you use the internet, how many people will be using it, and what speed you require. If you use the internet for basic browsing and streaming, a lower-speed connection might suffice. However, if you are a heavy internet user, such as for online gaming or streaming HD videos, you may require a higher speed connection.

We have a range of options to meet the needs of households of different sizes and levels of internet use.

Our nbn® 25 plans are great for households of up to two people and provide optimal speeds for everyday tasks like streaming videos, browsing the web, and sending emails. This tier has typical evening speeds of up to 25 Mbps download and up to 4 Mbps upload between 7.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. and supports up to two people.

Our nbn® 50 plans have typical evening speeds of up to 49 Mbps download and up to 16 Mbps upload between 7.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. and are ideal for three to four people. They deliver faster speeds, making them great for browsing the internet, social media, online gaming, and more.

Finally, our nbn® 100 plans are designed for larger households with over four users and offer very fast speeds, up to 96 Mbps download and up to 16 Mbps upload between 7.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m., which can easily handle more demanding activities like streaming ultra high definition videos, playing games online, video conferencing online, and downloading large files.

In order to keep things operating smoothly and minimise slowdowns caused by congestion or data shaping, you may want to upgrade your plan if more people start using the internet at your home or workplace. If you exceed your data cap, your service may be shaped to ensure that other users have access to the appropriate bandwidth.

What is the easiest way to check nbn® speed in my location?

We have speed test tools for different connection types, each powered by Netflix, Ookla, and the nbn®. Whether you are connected to Sky Muster®, Sky Muster® Plus, Fibre, or Fixed Wireless, simply follow the prompts on the speed test to conveniently check the performance of your internet connection.

To accurately measure your internet speed, it is best to run a speed test directly connected to your Network Termination Device (NTD) or modem. This ensures that the test results reflect the actual internet speed at your location.

Your testing will need to be done in isolation over a network cable for the sake of a speed fault investigation.

Make sure you’re connected to the right network before attempting to run the speed test, as the Sky Muster® Plus speed test link is only accessible when you’re connected to a Sky Muster® Plus connection. If you try to access the speed test link using a 5G or other WiFi setup, the page won’t load.

It’s worth noting that aside from differing connection types like FTTP vs FTTN, various factors can affect the speed of your internet connection, such as network congestion, the quality of the copper or fibre optic cables in your area, line-of-sight issues (for wireless connections), and the number of devices connected to your network.

If you need help with any further questions on FTTP vs FTTN, HFC vs FTTP, or BYO modem nbn® plans, our Brisbane-based team will be more than happy to guide you.

At Skymesh, we have over twenty years of experience with regional internet under our belt, and we even have award-winning nbn® plans to show for it. Check your address today to see what options are available to you.