What is Fibre to the Node (FTTN) broadband?

Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and Fibre to the Building (FTTB) are two classifications for a type of broadband connection in Australia that uses pre-existing telephone cabling to deliver the internet.

High-speed fibre connects from the closest Point of Interconnect (POI) to a nearby ‘node’, which is a connection hub that connects to the larger broadband network. Data travels through the copper cabling underground to reach a telephone wall socket at the user’s premises.

At Fibre to the Building locations, this ‘node’ is typically a networking room in the basement of the building – this is referred to as the Main Distribution Frame (MDF). A technician will need access to this frame when the customer requests an installation or repair to their internet service.

Most FTTN locations will have one of these nodes within a kilometre or less away, and a FTTB connection typically uses less copper infrastructure as the node is located in (or close to) the building.

The maximum potential speeds for this type of connection are up to 100mbps (megabits per second) when downloading, and 40mbps when uploading. There are many factors as to why a connection may be achieving lower speeds – for improving on slow speeds, check out some of our troubleshooting guides here.

Note: This type of connection requires a VDSL2 compatible modem/router that supports SOS/ROC. If you need some help picking a modem, don’t hesitate to call our support teams on 1300 880 905.

For more information about what to expect on your appointment day, check out our guide on how to prepare for your Fibre to the Node/Building installation.