Fibre internet plans provide an alternative fixed line connection to the NBN for eligible homes in Australia.
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There are plenty of options on the market when it comes to home internet today, with the NBN being the most popular among fixed line connections. However, you may have heard about fibre internet plans and are wondering what they are. You can learn all about how they work and how they’re different from the NBN right here in Savvy’s handy guide today!
A fibre internet plan is a type of broadband internet connection that uses fibre optic cables to transmit data at high speeds. It's known for its reliability, low latency and high maximum upload and download speeds, making it ideal for a wide range of online activities, from streaming and gaming to remote work and large file transfers.
Fibre internet plans are typically delivered through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology, where a dedicated optical fibre line is connected directly to your home. This direct connection helps you enjoy consistent and fast internet speeds without the performance fluctuations that can occur with wireless broadband connections.
There are several types of fibre internet which are available in Australia. OptiComm is perhaps the most well-known and popular alternative to the National Broadband Network (NBN), while some providers, such as Telstra and Aussie Broadband, operate their own network of fixed line connections (correct as of September 2023).
Fibre internet and the NBN share many similarities, in that they both deliver high-speed internet connections which effectively function in the same way. However, there are key differences between the two which are important to consider, including the following:
In summary, while fibre internet plans offer high-speed, reliable connections through dedicated fibre lines, their availability both geographically and via home connections limits their availability to Australians who wish to use them.
Fibre internet plans can offer speeds to rival NBN plans, with the potential to theoretically reach up to 1Gbps in the same way as an NBN 1000 plan.
Fibre connections typically have low latency, which is crucial for online gaming and real-time applications. This can help provide a responsive online experience.
Plans which only utilise fibre optic cables to connect to the internet are seen as the strongest and most reliable when it comes to delivering high internet speeds.
One of their primary drawbacks is limited availability. This often depends on your location and whether providers have invested in fibre infrastructure in your area.
Because fibre internet plans like OptiComm only utilise FTTP connections, they may be more expensive to install than other NBN connection types like FTTN.
Depending on your location, you may have fewer choices when it comes to fibre internet service providers compared to other connection types, such as the NBN.
Disclaimer:
Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of internet plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an internet plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.
Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an internet plan. For further information on the variety of internet plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.
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© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.
We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.
For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
