It's widely acknowledged that the advantages of fiber internet have been extensively emphasised. As the ultimate choice for internet connectivity, fiber should be considered if business NBN is accessible for your company.

However, fiber internet is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it presents itself in various forms, each supported by a unique combination of technologies. Understanding the specific type of fiber available for your business's internet connection is crucial for setting realistic performance expectations.


You may already be familiar with these acronyms - Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC). Yet, most promotional content jumps straight to technical specifications without thoroughly explaining how these types of connections could affect your business. This aspect is particularly vital when you're preparing a justification for your company's internet service.


Below, you'll find a helpful table outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each fiber connection type offered in Australia. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues to clarify the concept of fiber and assist in making more informed choices regarding your business internet strategy.

FIBRE TO THE NODE (FTTN)

Fibre-optic cables connect to a central cabinet in your neighbourhood (node), and then copper cables deliver the internet the rest of the way to homes and businesses.

Pros

Cons

Speed

  • Offers speeds of around 12Mbps to 100Mbps

Speed

  • Risk of speed deterioration (similar to ADSL) - NBN Co says speed drops after 400 metres from node
  • Not possible to upgrade to higher speeds due to limitations of copper wiring
  • 100Mbps is the max you can get - NBN Co says providers should not allow connection to NBN 100 plans because of this restriction

Equipment

Limited equipment requirements:

  • Will need a VDSL modem on the premises
  • RJ11 cable, the same that connects landline line or ADSL modem to the wall socket
  • Ethernet cable
 

Deployment

  • part of infrastructure (existing phone line) already in place for more rapid deployment
  • Most business premises already have a phone line, so can be set up quickly and affordably
  • If available at your site, installation and set-up costs covered by NBN Co

Deployment

  • Can’t match the speed of other fibre options, especially FTTP
  • Shared resource – downloads and uploads split with others on the connection
  • Copper cabling susceptible to weather, accidents or other disruptions

Performance

A better internet delivery system than fully copper wire-based connections, but performance is generally not good enough for business use.

 

THE VERDICT

Good for the basics: emails, light internet browsing with a few users, but that’s about it.

FIBRE TO THE CURB (FTTC)

Similar technology to FTTN, but the fibre-optic cable runs closer to your curb or driveway (i.e. closer to the premises), with a shorter length of copper cable connecting to the home or business.

Pros

Cons

Speed

  • Offers speeds of around 12Mbps to 100Mbps, the same as FTTN
  • Less risk of speed deterioration compared to FTTN
  • Offers speeds of around 12Mbps to 100Mbps

Speed

Can't match the speeds of FTTP due to reliance on copper cabling.

Equipment

Modest equipment requirements:

  • NBN Connection Device with RJ11 cable, the same that connects landline line or ADSL modem to the wall socket
  • Wireless router
  • Ethernet cable
 

Deployment

  • Faster to rollout than FTTP
  • Most FTTC users should be able to upgrade to FTTP for free by 2025
  • Installation and set-up costs covered by NBN Co

Deployment

Can't hit performance levels of FTTP due to reliance on copper cabling

Performance

More reliable and faster than FTTN and non-fibre options.

 

THE VERDICT

Decent speeds, even if limited by the copper wiring. May seem affordable up front, but it can still end up costing you more than an equivalent fibre connection. Good for most light business use: basic video conferencing, filesharing, etc on a small scale.

FIBRE TO THE PREMISES (FTTP)

The purest form of fibre-optic technology that takes the fibre-optic cabling all the way from the source straight into homes and businesses. The gold standard!

Pros

Cons

Speed

The highest internet speeds available - up to 1,000Mbps (1Gbps) - with plans for even further capacity in the future

Speed

Maximum speeds are not always achievable in peak times due to congestion (check typical 'evening speeds' for a more accurate indication)

Equipment

Limited equipment requirements:

  • Utility box outside the premises
  • Wireless router
  • Ethernet cable

Equipment

Requires installation of a box on the outside of the premises - not required for FTTN and FTTC

Deployment

  • If not available at your site, may still be possible to request a connection from NBN Co for a (very costly) fee - see nbn® Technology Choice Program
  • If available at your site, Installation and set-up costs covered by NBN Co

Deployment

  • Slower to rollout than either FTTN or FTTC
  • Not readily available in all areas of Australia
  • Expect to pay in the tens of thousands if you request a special connection - see nbn® Technology Choice Program

Performance

  • More reliable and faster than all other options, including FTTN and FTTC
  • Fibre infrastructure less susceptible to weather, accidents or other disruptions
 

Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)

HFC connections use a multi-technology mix, relying on some combination of both fibre optic connections and coaxial electrical cables. Sadly, you can't choose which technology mix you get with HFC – it depends on the infrastructure available in your area.

Pros

Cons

Speed

  • HFC cables offer higher performance compared to the typical copper wires used for FTTN or FTTC connections
  • In theory, HFC can support up to 1000Mbps download and 50Mbps upload

Speed

HFC cables are also used to deliver television services in your neighbourhood, which means it can experience congestion and slowdown, especially in peak hours.

Equipment

  • PCD (Premises Connection Device)
  • HFC wall outlet
  • NTD (Network Termination Device)
  • Internal and external cabling for the premises (if your premises already has cable tv, like Foxtel for example, then you won’t need any additional cable work)

Equipment

If your premises doesn't have pre-existing HFC cabling, it can be expensive to have the cabling done.

Deployment

  • Available in most residential and suburban areas in capital cities
  • If the cabling is pre-installed at your site, installation and set-up costs are minimal (you might even be able to install the connection yourself)

Deployment

Not readily available in all areas of Australia.

Performance

  • Second only to FTTP in terms of speed and reliability
  • Fairly resilient to weather, congestion, or other unforeseen events
 

THE VERDICT

Common for residential connections, HFC can be a solid option for businesses where FTTP is not available. Does well for most lightweight business use.

WRAPPING IT ALL UP

In summary, choosing Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) for your business is a no-brainer if it's available, given its superior speed and reliability. However, the vast geographical landscape of Australia means availability largely depends on your location and the specific type of fibre infrastructure implemented there.


If FTTP is not an option for you yet, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives like Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) can still help you maximise your business NBN potential within the current limitations.

Direct Fibre is another option, representing a different chapter in the evolving story of fibre connectivity, offering its unique set of benefits and considerations.

For more detail, read about checking nbn FTTP upgrade eligibility. Explore home internet availability for your location.