NBN Co's Fibre Connect programme is converting copper-based FTTN and FTTC connections to full fibre-to-the-premises at a rate of roughly 8,000 homes a week, with no installation charge for eligible addresses. If your NBN connection was built on copper, there is a fair chance your address is already eligible or soon will be.
How it works
The upgrade is free, but it is not automatic. You trigger it by ordering an eligible higher-speed plan (typically NBN 100 or above) through a participating provider. A technician then installs the fibre lead-in and new equipment, and the copper is retired. If you later drop back to a cheaper plan, you keep the fibre.
Our take
The "catch" is simply that you must commit to a faster plan to get the free install, usually for a short minimum period that varies by provider. For most households on FTTN, that trade is worth it: FTTN speeds degrade with copper distance and cap out well below what you are paying for, while FTTP delivers the full tier and opens up NBN 500 and gigabit plans. If you are on FTTN and your evening speeds disappoint, this is the fix, not another provider on the same copper.
What to do
Check your technology type and upgrade eligibility with the address checker on the NBN Co website. Then see our NBN speed tiers guide for which plan actually suits your household before ordering the upgrade.
Source: NBN Co Fibre Connect programme.
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