FTTP vs FTTN vs FTTC: Which nbn connection type is yours?

Home & Business Internet Blog | MATE | 10 August 2022

If you’re in the market for a National Broadband Network (nbn) internet plan, then you’re going to want to be across FTTP, FTTN and FTTC. These terms may sound highly technical, but they’re actually just three different ways your home may be connected to the nbn.

It’s important to know which connection type your residence is able to accommodate since this can influence things like maximum internet connection speed. This can also play a part by informing which internet plan you should purchase from your internet service provider. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

What is FTTP?

FTTP means Fibre to the Premises. As the name suggests, this connection type involves nbn fibre optic cables running up and connecting directly to your place of residence or business.

However, for a Fibre to the Premise connection to work, an nbn utility box will have to be installed on the outside of the property, as well as a standard nbn connection box installed inside the residence.

Because of the direct broadband connection via fibre optic cable, FTTP is considered to provide the fastest internet connection speeds. In some instances, FTTP connections can see download speeds of up to 1000mbps.

Internet modem lights

What is FTTN?

FTTN means Fibre to the Node. This connection type operates by using fibre optic cables for the majority of the nbn journey and connecting them to a central location – a node – that is responsible for providing internet access to a wider area. Often these nodes are placed at the end of a street where local residences are then connected to it via existing copper lines.

As you might expect, by relying on the old-school cable network to deliver nbn over the last stretch of the journey to your digital subscriber line modem router, an FTTN connection won’t be quite as fast as FTTP.

For example, if your residence is between 400 and 700 metres away from a node, you may expect to achieve connection speeds of around 60mbps – although this will always vary.

Cable infrastructure on a pole

What is FTTC?

FTTC means Fibre to the Curb. You might think of this fibre connection as a happy medium between FTTP and FTTN. This is where fibre optic cables stop just short of connecting to your premises, instead running to the curb of your property at which point existing copper wires make up the last leg of the journey to your residence.

The result: faster internet than FTTN, but still not quite as fast as FTTP. With FTTC you may be looking at reaching speeds of up to 100mbps.

Get the right nbn plan for the right nbn type, with MATE!

Regardless of whether you have FTTP, FTTN or FTTC, or any of the other connection types like HFC or Fixed Wireless, at MATE we have a range of unlimited data nbn internet plans to suit your download speed needs.

Want to take full advantage of Fibre to the Premises connection speeds? Why not enquire about the Fair Dinkim nbn 250/25 plan that packs a whopping 202mbps during typical busy periods?

Looking for a more modest plan to fit your Fibre to the Node connection? Check out the Ripper nbn 50/20 plan, perfect for music and HD video streaming, plus online gaming for larger households.

Get in touch with MATE today and find out which nbn internet plan is best for you.