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In 2020, the Australian government announced that the lengthy process of installing NBN across the nation was complete.
In a media release dated December 24, 2020, Paul Fletcher–the then Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts–said the NBN should be ‘treated as built and fully operational’.
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This was due to a variety of factors, including the network being–at the time–ready to connect to more than 11 million properties. But it wasn’t yet connected everywhere, nor operational.
Two years on, and there are now 8.5 million homes and businesses connected to a plan over the NBN access network, as per NBN Co’s September 2022 Monthly Progress Report, with an additional 12.2 million ready to connect.
As the uptick grows, the government continues to look at ways it can expand and upgrade the network further to ensure every Australian has fast and reliable broadband access.
While these upgrades continue and more areas become serviceable, many Australians are considering what NBN providers are available to them, and the possibility of changing to a different provider as the years go on. Some areas are serviced with fibre to the premises (FTTP),which are the fastest on offer, while other homes are connected via the less speedy fibre to the node (FTTN).
For more information on NBN terminology, connection types and access, you can read our guide to finding the Best Internet Deals in Australia
The National Broadband Network Explained
We hear the term regularly now, but what actually is NBN? Is it just the internet?
The term ‘NBN’ actually first came into Australian vernacular back in 2006. The government had long been working towards an initiative that would allow the nation to be connected via super-fast network speeds.
While a number of plans failed and were readjusted as governments changed hands, by 2009, NBN Co was established–a government entity that owns, builds, operates and maintains the national broadband network.
NBN Co is also responsible for supplying services and infrastructure to phone and internet providers, who can then install and implement the network into individual homes and commercial properties. For you, the end user, the purchase of NBN occurs via investing in an internet plan from an NBN provider.
Do I Have to Connect to the NBN?
As more and more regions become accessible by the national broadband network, many homes and businesses are being informed that they are now able and ready to connect to NBN themselves. But do we all have to? Is NBN compulsory?
The short answer is no, the NBN is not compulsory, nor is it automatic. You cannot be forced to connect to the national broadband network if you would prefer to opt out–but you should be aware of the consequences.
As the Australian Media and Communications Authority explains, most people with a fixed-line phone or internet service will need to move to the NBN. If they don’t–and don’t choose to switch to another service–you may end up left without fixed-line internet access.
“NBN Co will switch off the existing network once NBN internet has been available in your area for some time,” ACMA explains.
“Once NBN Co notifies you that you are able to switch to the NBN, you may have up to 18 months, and sometimes as little as 90 days, to find an NBN telco and plan.”
List of NBN Providers in Australia
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There are more than 170 NBN providers available in Australia. However, some providers are only available to certain areas of the country–or choose to only service certain regions–and therefore it is essential that you check which options are available to you prior to choosing your NBN provider.
To search for the NBN providers available to your address, you can use the free search tool on the NBN Co website, found here.
The below is a list of the current NBN providers in Australia:
- 10Mates
- 1300EasyISP
- 2it Technology
- accord with Officeworks
- ace internet services
- Aconnect phone and internet
- activ8me
- AdamInternet
- agl telecommunications
- airlan
- Airtel
- Alpha
- AlphaCall
- amnet broadband
- ANT communications
- Aqua mobile
- ASB Communications
- Ascensa communications
- Astron
- AusBBS
- Aussie Broadband
- Aussie Web & IT Solutions
- Australia Broadband
- Australia Online
- Australia Post Broadband
- AZnet
- Barefoot Telecom
- Beagle Internet
- Belong
- Bendigo Telco
- BEST telecom group
- Blisstel communications
- BOOM Broadband
- Broadband Solutions
- Broadsignal
- buroserv
- Business Technology Centre
- Bvivid
- Candour Communications
- Carbon Comms
- Caretel
- Carrier1 Telecom
- Centel Communications
- Central Coast Internet
- Central Connect
- Clear Networks
- Click Access
- Connected Australia
- Connected Telecom
- Countrytell
- CrunchTel
- Cybertel Telecom
- Datalife
- DataWave
- Dodo
- easynet
- ECN Communications
- EHW Technology
- Escapenet
- EveryNet
- Exetel
- Fairtel
- Fantel
- Fastel
- Fibre2air
- FibreMax
- Flip
- Foxtel Broadband
- Frankston Internet
- Future Broadband
- FuzeNet
- GenNext
- Gippsland Broadband
- GoInternet
- Goodtel
- GreenTreeFrog
- harbour isp
- Hello Broadband
- i.net.au
- if telecom
- IIG
- iinet
- infiNET
- Infinity
- Inspired Broadband
- International Exchange
- Internode
- Interphone
- IOT
- iPrimus
- ipstar
- justISP
- Key Internet
- kinetex
- Kloud Phone
- Kogan Internet
- launtel
- Leaptel
- Lightning IP
- Linear G
- Lizzy Internet
- Manage My Group
- mate.
- Matilda
- McPherson Media
- Melbourne Phone
- Mid North Coast Internet
- Mint Telecom
- montimedia internet
- Moose mobile
- more
- movox
- MyTelcoMate
- MyBroadband
- MyNetPhone
- MyOwnTel
- MyRepublic
- Nelson Bay Online
- Networks Broadband & Mobile Connections
- NewSprout
- Nexon
- Next Business Telecom
- NODEONE
- Nornet
- North Queensland Telecom
- Occom
- Oncue Telecom
- OntheNet
- Optus
- Origin Broadband
- peakconnect
- Pentanet
- Planet Ozi
- Planet Tel
- Powercom Pacific
- Prime Telecom
- Queensland Computers
- Qured
- real world technology solutions
- Roctel
- Sorted Services
- Southern Phone
- Spintel
- start Broadband
- Steele Technology
- sumo
- SuperCheap Telco
- superloop
- Switched On Australia
- Swoop Broadband
- Tablelands Communications
- Tangerine Telecom
- TasmaNet
- Telair
- Telecom West
- Telstra
- The George Baini Group
- The Internet Provider
- Thorn Broadband
- TIG Telecom
- tomi
- TPG
- truetelco
- UniqAus
- Uniti
- URL Networks
- Utelecom Australia
- Veetel
- vocal
- vodaphone
- Voipex
- Vonex Telecom
- Waterfront Networks
- Westnet
- Wired & Wireless Networks Australia
- Xintegration
- Your Call Telecom
- yourhub
Related: Cyber Security Courses to Combat Data Breaches
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to install the NBN?
The cost of installing NBN will vary depending on the location and the provider in which an individual or business chooses to connect with.
According to the government policy, NBN Co may “deliver a one-time charge of $300 (incl. GST) to the phone and internet providers that place an order for an nbn™ broadband access network service to a new development”.
Providers may then choose to pass this $300 charge onto their end users (the consumer or business), or absorb it into their own costs.
Once installed, the end user will be required to pay the cost of their ongoing plan, which is usually billed monthly.
Can my area get NBN?
To see if your address can connect to the national broadband network, you can search on the NBN Co website address checker found here. You can also try the NBN rollout map to see when your area is anticipated for connectivity.
Once you find out whether your area can connect to NBN, you will need to make the switch before your services are switched off.
ACMA explains the steps you should follow when switching to NBN.
When will NBN be upgraded?
At current, there are six types of NBN connections, all of which can offer various speeds of internet connection to your home or business:
- Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
- Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
- Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
- Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
- Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC)
- Fixed Wireless (FW)
FTTP is the fastest connection, and NBN Co has announced that “selected homes and businesses on Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) can now upgrade to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) with an eligible plan”.
You can check whether your premises is available to upgrade to FTTP via your NBN provider.
