Consideration 1: How You Use the Internet

The single biggest factor in whether you’ll notice the upgrade is what you’re actually doing online each day.

Households with remote workers on video calls, multiple people streaming at once, gamers who need low latency, or anyone uploading large files to the cloud will see a real difference on FTTP. These are the use cases where copper-based connections struggle most, and where the gap between connection types is widest during peak evening hours.

For lighter users who mainly browse the web, check emails, or stream on one device, the day-to-day difference may be smaller. If your current connection is already performing well, you might not notice a dramatic change. That’s an honest assessment, and it’s worth factoring into your decision.

But household internet demand doesn’t stay the same. More devices come online every year. Streaming quality keeps increasing. More services move to the cloud. The gap between what copper can handle and what fibre delivers tends to widen over time, not shrink. Even if the upgrade wouldn’t transform your experience today, it positions your household for what’s ahead.

Consideration 2: Your Current Connection Type

How much of a difference FTTP makes depends on what you’re upgrading from. Not all nbn connection types perform equally, and not all are eligible for the upgrade.
Here’s how upgrading to FTTP typically compares depending on your current connection type.

Connection type	What upgrading to FTTP means for you
FTTN	Removes the copper bottleneck between the node and your premises. Most users notice a meaningful improvement in speed and reliability, especially during peak hours.
FTTC	Fibre already runs close to your premises, so the improvement is real but less dramatic. You gain access to higher speed tiers and a more consistent connection.
HFC	Not eligible for the FTTP upgrade program. If you’re on HFC and want to compare, see our FTTP vs HFC page.
Fixed Wireless	Most of the Fixed Wireless footprint is not eligible for the FTTP upgrade. See our Fixed Wireless options for available plans and speeds in your area.

If you’re on FTTN and experiencing slow speeds or dropouts, the case for upgrading is strong. FTTN relies on copper cabling between a street node and your premises. The further your home is from that node, the worse your speeds tend to be. ACCC testing has consistently found FTTN to be the lowest-performing fixed-line nbn technology. The regulator’s data shows that FTTN services account for the vast majority of what it classifies as “underperforming” nbn connections, with many unable to deliver the speeds customers are paying for.

If you’re on FTTC, fibre already extends close to your premises, so you may already be getting solid performance. The upgrade to FTTP still removes the last stretch of copper and opens up access to speed tiers like nbn 1000 and above, but the improvement will be less dramatic than it is for someone coming from FTTN.

Consideration 3: Your Living Situation

Your living arrangement affects the process of upgrading, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier.

Owner-occupiers

If you own your home, the process is straightforward. Check your eligibility, choose a plan with a participating provider like Skymesh, and book a technician visit. No additional approval is required.

Renters

Renters are eligible for the FTTP upgrade, but you’ll need written approval from your landlord before the installation can be booked. The upgrade involves minor external work on the property, like mounting a utility box or running a fibre lead-in cable, and that’s why landlord consent is required. Start that conversation early, because waiting for approval can add weeks to the process. Most landlords are receptive once they understand the upgrade adds value to the property and the standard installation is free.

Strata and apartments

If you’re in a strata-managed building, body corporate rules may apply. In some buildings, nbn Co works directly with the owners’ corporation to upgrade the entire building through its Full Fibre Upgrade for Complex Multi-Dwelling Properties program. In others, individual residents need body corporate approval before proceeding. Check with your building manager or strata committee to understand what’s needed. It’s more often a step to manage than a genuine obstacle.

Consideration 4: The Cost of an FTTP Upgrade

Cost is one of the most common concerns people raise about the FTTP upgrade, but for most eligible premises, the upfront cost is lower than expected.

Standard FTTP installations are free for eligible addresses. The physical fibre connection to your premises, the nbn utility box, and the network connection device are all covered. You’ll need to order an eligible plan through a participating provider, usually one based on the nbn 100/40 speed tier or above for FTTC premises, or nbn 500 or above for those upgrading through the Fibre Connect program.

In a small number of cases, the installation may be classified as complex. If the fibre pathway (also known as nbn conduit) to your premises requires non-standard construction work, nbn Co will advise you of any additional costs before work proceeds. You won’t be charged without prior notice.

Your monthly plan cost may also change. If you’re on a lower-speed plan and the upgrade requires moving to a faster tier, your monthly bill will go up. Comparing plans across providers is worth the time if you want to balance speed against value.

One more thing to check: your router. Most nbn-compatible routers work with an FTTP connection, but to get the most out of higher speed tiers, you’ll want a Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 router. If yours only supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), it’s worth replacing. Otherwise your router becomes the bottleneck instead of the connection.

Consideration 5: When to Upgrade to FTTP

If you’re eligible for a free FTTP upgrade and you’re thinking about doing it eventually, there’s a practical case for doing it now.

The Australian Government has committed $3.8 billion to retire the remaining FTTN copper network. The target is to make 95% of current FTTN-only premises eligible for fibre by 2030. nbn Co is also expanding the triggers that prompt a fibre upgrade, covering situations where copper infrastructure is damaged, where most neighbours have already switched, or where a new occupant moves into a premises that’s already been overbuilt with fibre.

If you’re on FTTN, you’ll likely be moved to fibre at some point whether you initiate it or not. Upgrading proactively gives you more control over when the technician visits, where the connection equipment sits in your home, and which plan you move to. Waiting until you’re pushed across means less choice and a timeline you don’t control.

For FTTC users, the timeline is different. From July 2026, nbn Co plans to drop the requirement to order a high-speed tier plan to qualify for a free FTTP upgrade, opening the program to an estimated 600,000 additional households. If you’re on FTTC and don’t currently qualify because you don’t want a high-speed plan, that change may be worth waiting for.

Frequently Asked Questions