What started off as a simple plan to get  to everyone in Australia just got complicated!

Why? Well the plan was to have the NBN run fibre cabling to the premises (FTTP) to deliver fast internet.

So why are we suddenly seeing acronyms such as FTTN and FTTB? Well, those in charge of implementing the NBN have found out the hard way that running fibre to everyone’s premises is just too expensive and time consuming. As a result, the NBN project is behind schedule. To make up for this, newer technology has been introduced to allow the NBN to use the existing copper infrastructure to deliver the service faster. This technology is fibre to the node (FTTN) and fibre to the building (FTTB) cabling.

FTTN is a way of providing very fast broadband by running fibre to a neighbourhood node/pillar and from there using the existing copper network to connect to the premises. It can be faster to deploy because there is no need to replace the entire connection that attaches the exchange to the home or business. Putting network equipment in the street reduces the distance data needs to travel over copper, allowing very-high speeds to be achieved.

FTTB is a variation of FTTN in which the fibre optic cable is run to NBN equipment installed in the basement or communication room of a commercial or residential building. Fast broadband services can then be delivered by phone and internet providers to homes or businesses within the building via the existing in-building wiring.

So now we have three different variations of the NBN: FTTP, FTTN and FTTB. So, just what is the difference for the end user? Here are a few:

  • Firstly, the FTTP is the ideal NBN setup. With fibre coming all the way to your premises, you can be assured that you have the physical infrastructure to support very high speeds. It’s also future proof.
  • FTTN and FTTB rely on copper technology and are essentially a DSL (VDSL2+) technology, meaning they have the same drawbacks as any ADSL service. For example, the quality of the copper itself has an impact on speed and stability, as does distance from the exchange.

Unfortunately, end users won’t have a say on what type of NBN service they can get. That will be determined by the NBN implementers.

Fortunately, the end user can choose which internet service provider they would like to use. That’s where we come in!

If you have received your NBN notification, call us now on 1300 555 330 or find out what the best broadband is for your location with Arrow’s Broadband Exchange