What is fixed-line NBN?

By Alex Choros

Last updated 08 August 2023

"Fixed-line" is a term that is often thrown around when talking about NBN connections, and used as a bit of a catch-all to describe certain technology types.

In short, fixed-line NBN refers to when your NBN technology type uses some sort of physical wiring to reach your home or office. This is in contrast to Fixed Wireless NBN and Satellite NBN, where the final connection is achieved wirelessly.

Fixed-line NBN is the most common type of NBN, and the majority of Australians get online via some form of fixed-line NBN.

Before we get into some more detail about fixed-line NBN, here's a look at how fixed-line NBN plans compare across speed tiers:

#1	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet Silver Unlimited nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $59.90/mth for first 6 months and revert back to $78.90/mth thereafter. Offer ends 30.05.25 $59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom Value Plus NBN nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $23/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/month for first 6 months, then $82.90/month + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25 $59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
#3	MATE	MATE Ripper nbn 50/20 nbn® 49/19 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for the first 6 mths (code RIPPER20) + 1-month money back guarantee + Bundle & Save $60/mth Min. cost $60 Link not supplied	$60/mth Min. cost $60	Link not supplied
#4	Exetel	Exetel Extra-value nbn50 nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $19/mth off for first 6 months - $60.99/mth for first 6 months, then $79.99/mth. $60.99/mth Min. cost $60.99 Go to Site	$60.99/mth Min. cost $60.99	Go to Site
#5	Buddy Telco Editor's Pick	Buddy Telco Editor's Pick Value nbn - Unlimited nbn® 49/16 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $63/month for first 6 months, then $75/month. Use promo code BUDDY50. Offer ends 18.05.25 $63/mth Min. cost $63 Go to Site	$63/mth Min. cost $63	Go to Site
#6	Moose NBN	Moose NBN nbn 50/20 Premium nbn® 50/20 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $16/mth off for first 6 months, then $79.80/month. Ends 30.06.25 $63.80/mth Min. cost $63.80 Link not supplied	$63.80/mth Min. cost $63.80	Link not supplied
#7	Superloop	Superloop Extra-value nbn50/20 nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $14/mth off for 6 months! $67/mth for 6 mths, then $81/mth + Free Amazon eero 6+ if you stay connected for 24 mths $67/mth Min. cost $67 Go to Site	$67/mth Min. cost $67	Go to Site
#8	Dodo	Dodo nbn50 Unlimited Plan nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data 12mths Deal: Incl. $15/mth discount for 12 months based on the standard price $83.90/mth. Ends 29.04.25. T&Cs apply. $68.90/mth Min. cost $68.90 Go to Site*	$68.90/mth Min. cost $68.90	Go to Site
#9	Swoop	Swoop nbn® Home Everyday nbn® 50/20 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 months with code LOVE15, $69/mth for first 6 months then $84/mth. Offer ends 30.04.25 $69/mth Min. cost $69 Link not supplied	$69/mth Min. cost $69	Link not supplied
#10	iiNet	iiNet nbn50 Liimitless nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25 $69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Go to Site	$69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Go to Site

#1	MATE	MATE No Worries nbn 100/20 nbn® 97/19 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $30/mth off for the first 6 mths (code MATE30) + 1-month money back guarantee + Bundle & Save $60/mth Min. cost $60 Link not supplied	$60/mth Min. cost $60	Link not supplied
#2	Southern Phone	Southern Phone nbn Fast nbn® 100/19 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $24/mth off for 12 months! $65/mth for 12 months, then $89/mth. Offer ends 05.08.25 $65/mth Min. cost $65 Link not supplied	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Link not supplied
#3	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick NBN Unlimited Premium 100 nbn® 100/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $16.95 off your plan for first 6 months! $65/mth for first 6 months, then $81.95/mth $65/mth Min. cost $65 Go to Site	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Go to Site
#4	Moose NBN	Moose NBN nbn 100/20 Elite nbn® 100/20 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $19/mth off for first 6 months, then $84.80/month. Ends 30.06.25 $65.80/mth Min. cost $65.80 Link not supplied	$65.80/mth Min. cost $65.80	Link not supplied
#5	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet Gold Unlimited nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $65.90/mth for first 6 months and revert back to $83.90/mth thereafter. Offer ends 30.05.25 $65.90/mth Min. cost $65.90 Go to Site	$65.90/mth Min. cost $65.90	Go to Site
#6	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom Speedy NBN nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for the first 6 mths, $65.90/mth for first 6 months, then $85.90/mth + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25 $65.90/mth Min. cost $65.90 Go to Site	$65.90/mth Min. cost $65.90	Go to Site
#7	Exetel	Exetel Family nbn100/20 nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $19/mth off for first 6 months - $65.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth $65.99/mth Min. cost $65.99 Go to Site	$65.99/mth Min. cost $65.99	Go to Site
#8	amaysim	amaysim Unlimited nbn Fast As nbn® 100/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for first 6 months (Incl. Standard Intro Offer), $70/mth for first 6 months, then $90/mth. Ends 30.04.25 $70/mth Min. cost $70 Link not supplied	$70/mth Min. cost $70	Link not supplied
#9	Swoop	Swoop nbn® Home Fast nbn® 100/20 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $22/mth off for 6 months with code LOVE22, $72/mth for first 6 mths then $94/mth. Ends 30.04.25 $72/mth Min. cost $72 Link not supplied	$72/mth Min. cost $72	Link not supplied
#10	Buddy Telco	Buddy Telco Speedy nbn - Unlimited nbn® 99/16 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $73/month for first 6 months, then $85/month. Use promo code BUDDY100. Offer ends 18.05.25 $73/mth Min. cost $73 Go to Site	$73/mth Min. cost $73	Go to Site

#1	Southern Phone	Southern Phone nbn Superfast nbn® 250/23 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 12 months! $75/mth for 12 months, then $95/mth. Offer ends 05.08.25 $75/mth Min. cost $75 Link not supplied	$75/mth Min. cost $75	Link not supplied
#2	SpinTel	SpinTel NBN Unlimited 250 nbn® 240/22 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $9.95/mth off for the life of the plan while you stay connected to this plan. T&Cs apply $80/mth Min. cost $80 Go to Site	$80/mth Min. cost $80	Go to Site
#3	Exetel	Exetel Superfast nbn250 nbn® 220/21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $18/mth off for first 6 months - $80.99/mth for first 6 months, then $98.99/mth. $80.99/mth Min. cost $80.99 Go to Site	$80.99/mth Min. cost $80.99	Go to Site
#4	Swoop	Swoop nbn® Home Superfast nbn® 241/25 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $37/mth off for 6 months with code LOVE37, $82/mth for first 6 mths then $119/mth. Ends 30.04.25 $82/mth Min. cost $82 Link not supplied	$82/mth Min. cost $82	Link not supplied
#5	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick nbn Home Superfast Plan nbn® 250/21 Mbps Unlimited Data 12mths Deal: Incl. $15/mth discount for 12 months based on the standard price $98.90/mth. Ends 29.04.25. T&Cs apply $83.90/mth Min. cost $83.90 Go to Site*	$83.90/mth Min. cost $83.90	Go to Site
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone Home Superfast nbn® nbn® 250/21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth for 6 mths + Speed upgrade at no extra cost if you have a mobile phone plan with Vodafone $84/mth Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84/mth Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#7	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet nbn250 Platinum Unlimited nbn® 250/21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $84.90/mth for first 6 months and revert back to $94.90/mth thereafter. Offer ends 30.05.25 $84.90/mth Min. cost $84.90 Go to Site	$84.90/mth Min. cost $84.90	Go to Site
#8	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom SuperSpeedy NBN nbn® 250/21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for the first 6 mths, $84.90/month for first 6 months, then $104.90/month + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25 $84.90/mth Min. cost $84.90 Go to Site	$84.90/mth Min. cost $84.90	Go to Site
#9	iiNet	iiNet nbn Home Superfast Liimitless nbn® 250/21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths - $84.99/mth for first 6 months, then $99.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25 $84.99/mth Min. cost $84.99 Go to Site	$84.99/mth Min. cost $84.99	Go to Site
#10	TPG	TPG nbn Home Superfast Unlimited Plan nbn® 250/21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $84.99/mth for first 6 months, then $99.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $84.99/mth Min. cost $84.99 Go to Site	$84.99/mth Min. cost $84.99	Go to Site

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel NBN Unlimited 1000 nbn® 750/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $10.95/mth off for the life of the plan while you stay connected to this plan. T&Cs apply $90/mth Min. cost $90 Go to Site	$90/mth Min. cost $90	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet nbn Home Ultrafast Liimitless nbn® 800/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths - $94.99/mth for first 6 months, then $109.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25 $94.99/mth Min. cost $94.99 Go to Site	$94.99/mth Min. cost $94.99	Go to Site
#3	TPG	TPG nbn Home Ultrafast Unlimited Plan nbn® 800/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $94.99/mth for first 6 months, then $109.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $94.99/mth Min. cost $94.99 Go to Site	$94.99/mth Min. cost $94.99	Go to Site
#4	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet nbn1000 Diamond Unlimited nbn® 800/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $98.90/mth for first 6 months and revert back to $108.90/mth thereafter. Offer ends 30.05.25 $98.90/mth Min. cost $98.90 Go to Site	$98.90/mth Min. cost $98.90	Go to Site
#5	Buddy Telco	Buddy Telco Zoomy nbn - Unlimited nbn® 875/42 Mbps Unlimited Data $99/mth Min. cost $99 Go to Site	$99/mth Min. cost $99	Go to Site
#6	Superloop	Superloop Lightspeed nbn1000/50 nbn® 860/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $10/mth off for 6 mths! $99/mth for 6 mths, then $109/mth + Free Amazon eero 6+ if you stay connected for 24 mths $99/mth Min. cost $99 Go to Site	$99/mth Min. cost $99	Go to Site
#7	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom UltraSpeedy NBN nbn® 700/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $99.90/month for first 6 months, then $124.90/month + 3 months BINGE. Ends 30.06.25 $99.90/mth Min. cost $99.90 Go to Site	$99.90/mth Min. cost $99.90	Go to Site
#8	Flip	Flip Unlimited Ultra Speed nbn1000 nbn® 900/50 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Promotional pricing - $94/mth for first 4 months then $104.90/mth. Offer ends 30.04.25 $104.90/mth Min. cost $94 Go to Site	$104.90/mth Min. cost $94	Go to Site
#9	iPrimus	iPrimus Home Ultrafast nbn1000 Plan nbn® 700/42 Mbps Unlimited Data $124/mth Min. cost $124 Go to Site	$124/mth Min. cost $124	Go to Site
#10	More	More Ultrafast NBN nbn® 700/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $108/mth for first 12 months for CommBank customers, $121.50/mth ongoing $135/mth Min. cost $135 Go to Site	$135/mth Min. cost $135	Go to Site

What technology types are fixed-line NBN?

Any NBN technology type where the final connection is made with physical wiring counts as fixed-line. These include:

The only two NBN technology types that don't count as fixed-line are Fixed Wireless and Satellite.

Your NBN technology type determines exactly what plans you can order. You can find out how to check your NBN technology type here.

How fast is fixed-line NBN?

The speed of a fixed-line NBN connection depends on your exact technology type. There are six main speed tiers on the NBN, but not everyone can access all of them.

This table looks at each speed tier and what fixed-line technology types can get it.

NBN speed tier	Maximum speeds	Connection types
NBN 12 (Basic I)	12Mbps	FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
NBN 25 (Basic II)	25Mbps	FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
NBN 50 (Standard)	50Mbps	FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
NBN 100 (Fast)	100Mbps	FTTP, HFC, FTTN*, FTTB, FTTC
NBN 250 (Superfast)	250Mbps	FTTP, HFC
NBN 1000 (Ultrafast)	1000Mbps	FTTP, HFC

* While some FTTN connections are able to get NBN 100 plans, many aren't. For a large number of Australians on FTTN, NBN 50 will be the fastest available speed tier. There is however work underway that will allow FTTN and FTTC users to upgrade to FTTP.

What equipment do you need for fixed-line NBN?

The equipment you need for each fixed-line NBN technology type can differ. Here's a breakdown:

Fibre to the Premises NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug directly into your NBN connection box mounted to your wall.
HFC NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug into the NBN connection box
Fibre to the Node NBN: You'll need a modem router. This will plug into the telephone socket used to facilitate your NBN connection.
Fibre to the Building NBN: You'll need a modem router. This will plug into the telephone socket used to facilitate your NBN connection.
Fibre to the Curb NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug into the NBN Connection Box supplied by NBN Co for free.