Despite our lives revolving around the internet for work, education and leisure, millions of Australians still struggle with slow speeds and unreliable connections. Traditional technologies such as fibre to the node (FTTN) and fibre to the curb (FTTC) often fail to meet modern expectations for fast, reliable internet service.
By Chris Ikimis-Healey
Despite our lives revolving around the internet for work, education and leisure, millions of Australians still struggle with slow speeds and unreliable connections. Traditional technologies such as fibre to the node (FTTN) and fibre to the curb (FTTC) often fail to meet modern expectations for fast, reliable internet service.
These services are built on outdated copper lines; FTTN uses existing copper infrastructure to deliver internet from a central node, while FTTC extends fibre optic cables to a distribution point near the user’s premises but still depends on copper for the final connection.
Fibre to the premises (FTTP), on the other hand, represents a major leap forward by replacing copper lines entirely with state-of-the-art fibre optic cables running directly to homes and businesses, offering unparalleled speed and stability.
Introduced by NBN Co in 2021, the Fibre Connect initiative aims to upgrade over 10 million Australian homes and businesses to a superior FTTP connection by the end of 2025, covering more than 90 percent of the country. This upgrade brings significant improvements in speed and reliability, replacing old infrastructure with cutting-edge technology.
The result? Australians will enjoy faster, more reliable internet that meets the demands of today’s connected homes, supporting everything from streaming and gaming to videoconferencing and smart home devices.
If your household or business currently uses FTTN or FTTC technologies, you may qualify for a free NBN fibre upgrade to FTTP. These older systems rely on copper wires, which can weaken signal strength and reduce internet speeds, while FTTP provides a direct fibre optic connection to your premises for significantly faster and more reliable service.
To check if you're eligible for this free FTTP upgrade, SpinTel offers a simple online eligibility checker. Just enter your address here to see if your home or business is ready for the switch to FTTP. This free upgrade could be your ticket to a superior internet experience.
If your property is not currently eligible, it may be FTTP ready by the end of 2025 and you can register with NBN for email updates. You can also regularly check your address on SpinTel’s website to find out if your location becomes eligible.
When upgrading to NBN fibre to the premises (FTTP), an NBN technician will install a new NBN utility box outside your home and an NBN connection box inside. The upgrade itself is free of charge as part of the NBN’s commitment to enhancing Australia's digital infrastructure, however, it’s worth considering any potential costs related to modifying internal wiring or relocating the connection box.
For customers moving from fibre to the node (FTTN), the installation process typically takes around 5 business days after placing your order, and the actual installation lasts between 3 to 4 hours. However, more complex upgrades may take longer or require additional appointments.
For those upgrading from fibre to the curb (FTTC), the process is slightly longer, usually taking between 19 to 29 business days. It involves a pre-installation visit as well.
Initial Assessment (within a week of ordering): An NBN technician will perform an external evaluation of your property to identify any potential obstacles ahead of time. This step takes about one hour, and you don't need to be present for the assessment.
Main Installation Appointment (19 to 29 business days after order submission): A certified NBN technician will return to install the necessary NBN equipment. Ensure that someone aged 18 or older is home to provide access to both the inside and outside of the premises. This visit typically lasts 3 to 4 hours, although more complicated installations may take longer.
Once your FTTP upgrade is complete, you'll notice an immediate improvement in internet speed and stability. However, it's a good idea to test your connection to ensure everything is functioning as expected. SpinTel provides support to troubleshoot any issues and to help configure your modem to work with the new FTTP connection. Most existing modems are compatible, but some may need an update or configuration changes.
Choosing an NBN FTTP upgrade has several compelling advantages:
Upgrading to NBN's FTTP is about more than just increasing internet speeds; it’s about ensuring your internet infrastructure is robust enough to handle future demands. With SpinTel, transitioning to FTTP is straightforward, transparent and tailored to provide a superior online experience.
