FTTP vs FTTN modems and routers

By Anula Wiwatowska

Last updated 04 April 2022

The NBN is Australia’s universal pet peeve. How the network is perceived by each individual is dependent on a range of different factors, one of the big ones being technology type. Not only does the technology type used in your NBN connection contribute to the maximum speeds you can achieve, but the hardware that you need can vary as well.

In this article, we’re looking at Fibre to the Node and Fibre to the Premises modems.

What’s the difference between FTTN and FTTP?
Modems for Fibre to the Node
Modems for Fibre to the Premises
Plans with a modem included

What’s the difference between FTTN and FTTP?

Technology types are defined in part by how much copper is still used in order to connect to the NBN. Fibre to the Node uses the largest amount of copper, running from a central node out to houses in the neighbourhood. This means that the dwellings connected to this kind of technology will still be connected via the original copper phone lines and in turn, have the slowest fixed line speeds available. It is possible to achieve 100Mbps downloads on a FTTN connection but you’ll need to be fortunately positioned close to the node.

Here are some NBN 50 plans, which should be available to all FTTN connection types.

#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

Fibre to the Premises uses no copper and can achieve speeds up to 1Gbps. FTTP connections are usually reserved for new developments (and those who were lucky enough to get NBN under the Labor government) and will have fibre cabling running all the way to the connection point within the dwelling. This means that FTTP connections don't use old technology and as such are faster and more reliable.

These are some high-speed NBN plans only available on FTTP connections.

#1	Skymesh	Skymesh NBN Wireless Superfast nbn® Wireless Ultrafast Speed Unlimited Data $104.95/mth Min. cost $104.95 Go to Site	$104.95/mth Min. cost $104.95	Go to Site
#2	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
#3	Swoop	Swoop nbn® Home Ultrafast nbn® 900/50 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 months with code LOVE20, $119/mth for first 6 months then $139/mth. Offer ends 30.04.25 $119/mth Min. cost $119 Link not supplied	$119/mth Min. cost $119	Link not supplied
#4	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
#5	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Ultra-Fast nbn - Unlimited nbn® 875/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20 off for the first 6 months. Promo code BIG20. $129/mth after promo ends 30.04.25 $109/mth Min. cost $109 Link not supplied	$109/mth Min. cost $109	Link not supplied
#6	Southern Phone	Southern Phone nbn Ultrafast nbn® 860/43 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 12 months! $85/mth for 12 months, then $105/mth. Offer ends 05.08.25 $85/mth Min. cost $85 Link not supplied	$85/mth Min. cost $85	Link not supplied
#7	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

It is also important to note that you don’t get to choose your connection type, it’s merely a product of where you live. However, upcoming NBN upgrade measures will mean that around two million FTTN premises will be given the opportunity to upgrade to FTTP at no extra cost. These upgrades are expected to be complete by 2023.

Modems for Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

FTTP connections will only need a router as the NBN connection box serves as a modem. You’ll still need to pick up a router that will connect to the NBN connection box which should be installed within your premises. As with modem routers, stand-alone routers are relatively easy to set up and will just need to be plugged into your connection box and a power supply.

Modems for Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

FTTN connections require a modem router, which both connects you to the internet and distributes the connection to other devices. These pieces of hardware are relatively simple to set up, provided that your device is preconfigured you’ll most likely just need to plug them into a power source and into an existing telephone port in your home.

Most NBN modems are, by default modem-router combinations. The easiest way to tell is to read the box, if you can see both words ‘modem’ and ‘router’ then boom, you’re good to go. If you can only find ‘modem’ then you may need to opt for a different modem or buy a router in addition. Chances are that your provider supplied modem, say the one you got from Telstra, Optus or Tangerine will be a modem router combination but it’s always best to ask the question. Providers will make sure you have everything you need in order to set up your connection as painlessly as possible.

NBN plans with a modem included

Most major retailers include a modem within their NBN plan costs, the catch however is that you may need to pay the fee outright or a prorated amount if you choose to leave your plan within a certain timeframe.

Here are the most popular NBN 50 plans with a modem included.

#1	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 $229.80 Go to Site	$59.90/mth Min. cost $229.80	Go to Site
#2	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 $225 Link not supplied	$60/mth Min. cost $225	Link not supplied
#3	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 $230.99 Go to Site	$60.99/mth Min. cost $230.99	Go to Site
#4	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 $193.80 Link not supplied	$63.80/mth Min. cost $193.80	Link not supplied
#5	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 $237 Go to Site	$67/mth Min. cost $237	Go to Site
#6	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 $168.80 Go to Site*	$68.90/mth Min. cost $168.80	Go to Site
#7	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 $199 Link not supplied	$69/mth Min. cost $199	Link not supplied
#8	TPG	TPG nbn50 Unlimited Plan nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $69.99/mth Min. cost $194.94 Go to Site	$69.99/mth Min. cost $194.94	Go to Site
#9	Flip	Flip Unlimited Family nbn50 nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Promotional pricing - $64/mth for first 4 months then $73.90/mth. Offer ends 30.04.25 $73.90/mth Min. cost $263 Go to Site	$73.90/mth Min. cost $263	Go to Site
#10	Vodafone	Vodafone Essential+ nbn® nbn® 50/17 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 $74/mth Min. cost $74 Link not supplied	$74/mth Min. cost $74	Link not supplied

The upside of going with a provider modem is that you’re damn near guaranteed for your connection to work off the bat. On the flip side, provider modems can be prone to some of the common foibles that affect NBN connection speeds. These may be congestion and out of date firmware, which can be somewhat combated with a multi-band modem and one with automatic updates. Find out whether or not you need a new modem or not by reading our guide.

You can also read more about what to look for in an NBN modem in our guide here.