I am still on the FTTN, 50/20 speed with Leaptel, paying $75-$80 per month.
My hubby reluctant to upgrade to FTTP, he heard horror stories about NBN contractors messy installations, and argued that so far we got enough speed. However, looking at the price we are paying, we can get much better speed. We don't use (or we don't know?) about CGNAT, IP6 stuff, or modem and/router additional cost if we upgrade to FTTP.
What are your opinions please?
if you have no need for faster speed then why upgrade?
To save money…
Swap to FTTP. FTTN is going bye bye over the next few years. My friend had no problems with the $0 FTTP installation and it's all nice and neat.
nbn setup the fibre NTD box. You can usually re-use your current router. What model is it?
You should be eligible for nbn FTTN/FTTC to FTTP Upgrade & Plan (Select Locations) 500/50 $79.95/Month for 12 Months ($92.95/Month Ongoing) @ Leaptel.
We are using Telstra smart modem 2.
That is correct, I saw that we are eligible in the last 2 years I reckon
Telstra SM G2 is suitable for FTTP. Plugin the ethernet cable from Telstra's WAN port to the nbn NTD box (usually the UNI-D1 port).
Thanks, I will contact Leaptel. I hope they have good customer service to guide me.
Why not go for a 100/xx on FTTN for an interim period before deciding on making the plunge to FTTP?
You should be able to get one for less than $70/month.
Our maximum speed is 50 advised by nbn provider, Our house is in the estate build in late 80s early 90s
Nothing ventured , nothing gained ! I sat on this decision for a year wondering wether or not to do fibre to the property . I really wish I'd done it sooner , slow speeds on fibre to the node and connection issues .
I am still on the FTTN, 50/20 speed with Leaptel, paying $75-$80 per month
You can get 500/50 for that…
Is this a serious post or a troll?
This is crazy.
You can.
NBN pricing is bizarre.
I asked WhistleOut to list the best 50/20 prices, and once the initial discounted period is over they all reverted to about $85.
So I asked it to list the best 250+ prices. And they were the same or better.
You can hand in your OzBargain membership now. If you have FTTP, no one stays with the same provider past the promo period.
About as serious as you are with your posts,💯
Why not just get 5G internet. If your needs are so low at 50/20 there's no reason that 5G won't be enough.
Why not just get 5G internet. I
Because it will probably cost more…
FTTP is superior and not everyone can get 5G.
Yes, you are correct.
What does it matter if everyone can get 5G. Its only important whether the OP can.
I can, at least on the Testra network. And my 250 Mb/s 5G costs me a lot less than the OP's $85/month. A lot less.
What would be important would be that NBN is unlimited data, and 5G isn't. Is the limited amount they'd get on a 5G enough for them. I get 150 GB/month. That's way more than I need.
(Google's AI says the average NBN user uses 250-500 GB/m.)
5G is suitable for some users however 5G is not a substitute for FTTP. 5G and FTTP complement each other. In AU the fixed line internet traffic is over 80%.
Telstra's 5G home internet costs $85/m for 1TB and it ranges anywhere from 30 - 570Mbps download and 5 - 70Mbps upload (300/30 typical evening speed) depending on the tower location. CG-NAT only and Static IP is not available.
nbn FTTP 500/50 (it's more like 550Mbps download) consistently for $80/m with unlimited data. FTTP is the most reliable and has lower latency. CG-NAT can be turned off for free with most providers or get a Static IP if necessary.
The average nbn user downloaded 443GB a month in 2024. I haven't seen the 2025 data. nbn predicts the average download is going to double by 2029 and upload to quadruple by 2032.
@Twix: Depending on what the distribution of users by download is, the average NBN usage may be a totally useless number. If there a small number of users with extremely high usage, like businesses and schools, they would drag the average up. What would be a more meaningful and useful number would be median usage. The fact that NBNCo, which wants people to believe the numbers are as high as it can without actually lying outright, quotes average rather than median suggests the typical user downloads rather less. Only NBNCo knows.
And, anyway, its not important how much data other people use, it's only important how much the OP uses when its a question of the best product for them. If she needs unlimited, she needs unlimited, and 5G is the wrong product. If she doesn't, it might be.
And my 250 Mb/s 5G costs me a lot less than the OP's $85/month.
How much?
@jv: It costs me $54 up front. Then I do a big once-a-month shop at Woolworths, get 10% off that, and that's another $20-$25 off that.
@jv: I never said my 5G deal was unlimited. Its enough for me. I don't know how many times I have to repeat that if the OP needs unlimited data 5G isn't the right deal for them. If she doesn't, it might be.
in my opinion, we are just enough with 50/20, but our kids are getting bigger, would nice to have a better speed if we pay the similar price
If you switch to a 100/20 plan for 12 months, I believe you will be eligible for a free upgrade to FTTP.
Yes, you do hear some nightmare stories, but you never hear about the ones that went by without a hitch. I've heard from friends that their upgrades were fine. Of course, your own experiences will vary and there is always a risk.
With the upcoming bandwidth upgrades for 100 Mbps download plans and higher, it's definitely much better value. Also, you may not need any higher than 50/20 most of the time but in the odd circumstance where you do need more, it can literally take half the time to do if you're on a 100/20 plan.
Leaptel advised us, maximum speed for our house is 50 unfortunately
FTTN has a 50 maximum at your home.
FTTP is 1000 and soon to be 2000 maximum.
You generally just need to order a 100Mbps service to trigger the FTTP upgrade.
Keep your FTTN … eventually it’ll be like holding a vintage car, rare and valued by collectors. Give it up and you’ll never have one again 😆
Except FTTN nodes have no value. Straight to e-waste 😂
For sure we have had FTTP since 2014. Was installed in 2 hours and up and running never had an issue.
About the only thing I would thank Labor for.
About the only thing I would thank Labor for.
We didn't get ours until Scomo rolled it out in our area…
We didn't get ours until Scomo rolled it out in our area…
You live near Engadine Maccas?
When you're on FTTP, switching providers is almost automatic. The new provider takes over providing the service on the first port of the inside NBN unit and the old provider is turned off. I did a switch to save money and it just happened by itself on the day I had picked near the end of the month for the old provider.
You don't to be hanging around as the last couple of people in the area connected to the FTTN node once everyone else has changed over.
You might not even notice if you changed to a higher speed. The websites servicing Australia aren't yet set up as if everyone has 500Mbps or 1Gbps download speed, so they're going to be the next bottleneck. Downloading a page from ozbargin, facebook or reddit might take a slightlly different number of milliseconds to download on a 1Gbps connection to a 50Mbps connection, but unlikely for a person to notice or care.
But I'm still finally switching from FTTN to FTTP in a few weeks since our suburb has only just been opened up for Flip to Fibre. Looking forward to so much more reliability too - every time there is a power outage the FTTN node goes offline after 2 hours when its local battery runs out. Plus the copper wires have issues when it rains and so on.
The new provider uses the same port most times. Sometimes the new provider uses one of the other ports. The provider tells you which port to use.
FTTP automatically cancels most times. Multiple nbn services are possible on FTTP and sometimes you have to manually cancel the old provider after the new provider connects you.
FTTP only works during a power outage if you purchase a UPS. Plugin the UPS to the nbn NTD box and your router.
There's usually little to no change. Getting FTTP is simply more stable network as you don't have that copper degradation (provided your ISP isn't cheap on the backend). Ignore the horror stories because 999/1000 times, it's fine. They basically reuse your existing copper link as your path to the fibre pit and if you ask nicely, you can request them to put the box at a location that suits you best. They may grumble about it, but simply insist on the location.
Your hubby seems to be thinking of the rogue initial NBN installations that happened when it was first rolled out.
I’ve not heard of a poor installation in the last few years. Not saying it never happens but it’s not as common as during the original rollout.
FTTP is one of the items higher up the list now being listed by real estate agents as a selling point.
Something to keep in mind if/when you sell. A no cost improvement for your home.
I'd upgrade to FTTP, and did. It's faster, more reliable, future-proof, and allows you to move up to higher speeds later, if you choose to. With FTTN, you'd always be limited to 50/20 as the top speed.
It costs $0 for the upgrade too, whereas a decade ago it might've cost you $10-$20k out of your own pocket. The only catch is some ISPs will make you upgrade your plan to 100/20 as part of the free upgrade.
Did this last year in rural Vic. Rejected the first two upgrade scoping teams proposals. First team proposed conduit attached to a very old timber fence. Spoke to Exetel provisioning team who advised I make a complaint about the second cable routing proposal (ugly conduit across the front of all the units in the complex. Did so, to Exetel, which they followed through with. Was then contacted by the contractor whose main concern was to get his complaint ticket resolved asap. Cable went in undeground conduit installed via an underground boring machine.
So, two things that made it work - not accepting an ugly installation, and being able to talk to the Australian based provisioning team directly rather than a call centre. Now it’s Superloop I think it’s still the same as I did talk to provisioning last week about a different install. YMMV - but make sure you are clear what the installer intends to do, and if it sounds bad you don’t have to accept it.
Thanks, this is what my hubby worry about, but now we are at a point where FTTN price is same or close to the same with FTTP. I am hoping Leaptel is good…. or should I jump to ABB first then upgrade to from ABB
Before you choose a provider, what worked for me was being able to talk directly to the provisioning team and the tech team rather than a call centre who intercepts this communication. In my example, provisioning and tech support are options on the phone menu, and i was able to get straight through to the person who is usually able to resolve the issue. With my in-laws provider however, a generic off shore call centre simply uses a script, and makes notes for someone else to look at. If they even understand the issue.
Leaptel's 12 month FTTP deal is better and tech support in Camberwell, VIC.
Aussie BB is too expensive at full price.
Thank you, about the ideal location in the house for modem installation, what is ideal spot? I can only think something in the middle of the house, so the wifi can reach the whole house easily?
We are double story house. Thank you
@Edsanwong: Look at the nbn NTD box fact sheet floor plan. Is there anywhere for the nbn NTD box under the 12 metre distance? Is the middle of your home longer than 12 metres?
The nbn NTD box and your router don't have to be next to each other. My nbn NTD box is in the garage and there is a Ethernet wall port that goes to my router in the study. A data cabler or electrician can install Ethernet cabling if you like.
Wi-Fi from one router in the middle can cover some two level homes. Sometimes one router may not provide enough Wi-Fi range across two levels.
2-pack or 3-pack mesh Wi-Fi system is worth a look. Plugin one router to the nbn NTD box and another one or two on each level.
@Twix: Thank you for your post. Its installed yesterday. Location of indoor box is not ideal, unfortunately. I am using Telstra smart modem 2. I checked about wifi extender and mesh. It seems Mesh is the way to go. I checked Mesh in ozbargain, we cant afford $300+ at the moment.
My solution is just using long ethernet cable from NBN indoor box to my router.
@Edsanwong: A long ethernet cable is best. Maybe purchase a mesh Wi-Fi system in the Black Friday sales late November. Don't get a Wi-Fi extender.
Did you stay with Leaptel?
FTTP is great.
However, you need to be there to ‘supervise’ the installer as many are butchers.
Fortunately, my sparkie came over a few days later and was gobsmacked by the (lack of) workmanship. He then cleaned up the install and made it weatherproof.
As far as messy installs go it really can depend on the NBN install contractor you get or just the condition of you current conduits and pits etc. But The other factor is the location of the NTD that they install on the inside of your house. The installers have rules on where they can put it and most of those are based around convenience for them. If you want the NTD in different location than what the installer will use, which is typically near where the exiting FTTN connection comes in to the house, then you need to get work by a registered cabler done beforehand to get a conduit installed with a drawstring. When my street was activated for FTTP I got a cabler to come in and run a conduit with drawstring to where I wanted the NTD and the NBN contractor was all too happy to use it. Getting the fibre into the house from the pit was the real hard part for him becasue at some point of the years the conduit from the pit the house separated into two so he had to dig and join the two section together again.
if you have no need for faster speed then why upgrade? or just do it - so many have done it cant be too bad otherwise we will see on the news and dont worry about those story you just need to be at home and watching them…
and without knowing what is your current modem/router we cant tell you if you will need to upgrade them or not….