NBN Co to lift plan-speed rule for FTTN fibre upgrades from 31 March 2027

NBN Co announced on 30 September 2026 that eligible Fibre to the Node (FTTN) homes will be able to get a full fibre upgrade from 31 March 2027 without first signing up to a faster plan. Onya Magazine reported that many households currently need a plan on a wholesale tier of 100/40 Mbps or above to qualify. After the change, a household's current plan will not determine eligibility, so someone on a 50 Mbps plan could move to fibre without paying for a quicker tier, provided the address qualifies.

FTTN carries fibre to a node in the street and then uses copper to reach the home, whereas Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is fibre all the way to the property. CHOICE reported that FTTN and Fibre to the Curb connections top out at 100Mbps download, while FTTP and HFC now reach 2000Mbps. CHOICE said customers on those copper technologies may be able to switch to fibre at no extra cost, and that the NBN address checker shows whether an upgrade is offered at a given address. It added that installation charges may apply, although retail providers regularly run free FTTP upgrade offers.

NBN Co said the fault rate on full fibre was 12 per cent lower than on FTTN between July 2025 and June 2026, and noted that this is a network-wide measure. It also said more than 1.5 million homes and businesses have already moved to fibre, and that full fibre makes up around 39 per cent of connections.

A second initiative will move some copper customers regardless of choice. NBN Co announced the Targeted Upgrade program in April 2026 to shift selected homes and businesses from older copper connections to full fibre. NBN Co said about 130,000 properties will be covered in the first year, with the first notices going out from July 2027. Selected customers are to receive several notices, can extend or defer, and get additional support, and can usually keep their existing speed plan. NBN Co said suspending a copper service would be a last resort, with the first suspensions not expected until January 2028.

On upgrade day a technician runs fibre to the property and fits an NBN connection box indoors, and sometimes a utility box outside. A standard job typically takes a few hours. Customers still need a compatible modem or router, and renters need the landlord's approval because the work can involve drilling into a wall. Households already on a qualifying plan at an eligible address can upgrade now rather than wait until March.