Australia Accelerates Ahead: NBN's Speed Surge Kicks Off
Big news for Aussie internet users! Starting on 14 September 2025, Australia's National Broadband Network is rolling out major speed upgrades that promise to deliver significantly faster connections, without upping the price tag.
These upgrades are automatically available to customers using FTTP or HFC networks on NBN 100 plans or higher. If you're on older infrastructure, such as FTTN or FTTC, you won’t qualify, unless you apply for a free fibre upgrade through NBN Co’s Fibre Connect program. Over 5 million addresses are covered by that offer, though only a fraction have committed.
Some RSPs, including Exetel, Spintel, Tangerine, Superloop, and Aussie Broadband, are already offering refreshed plans or teasing “Christmas is coming early” messaging thanks to the upcoming boost.
NBN will begin offering faster wholesale tiers to internet service providers (RSPs) for customers on Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections:
- NBN 100 plans are upgraded to NBN 500 (500 Mbps download / 50 Mbps upload)—a fivefold increase.
- NBN 250 plans are now tripled to NBN 750 (750 Mbps down / 50 Mbps up).
- NBN 1000 plans double upload speeds to 100 Mbps while retaining up to 1 Gbps download.
- NBN 2000, a brand-new “hyperfast” tier, offers 2 Gbps downloads—with 200 Mbps uploads on FTTP, and 100 Mbps uploads on HFC.
Retail pricing is up to each provider, but because wholesale costs aren't rising, most are expected to pass the upgrades on to customers at no extra cost.
If you're thinking you'll be zooming on 2 Gbps immediately, pause for a hardware check. Many households still rely on outdated modems, some over a decade old, that bottleneck speeds around 100 Mbps. Even newer routers need to support Wi-Fi 6/6E/7, gigabit-capable WAN ports, and up-to-date cabling to fully benefit from these features. Major providers like Vodafone and Telstra are already offering upgraded modem bundles or mesh systems to help ease the transition.
This revamp arrives at a moment when Australian households are more connected than ever. With streaming, remote work, cloud gaming, smart homes, and AI applications on the rise, the demand for bandwidth has ballooned. The upgraded NBN infrastructure is designed to meet these needs, future-proofing homes and businesses and enhancing Australia’s digital capacity.
Plus, the rollout of 2 Gbps plans positions Australia among the world’s fastest consumer internet services—a meaningful leap for competitive edge and digital inclusion. Here’s what to do:
- Check your connection type: Log in to your NBN Co portal or contact your RSP to confirm whether you're FTTP or HFC.
- Ask about fibre upgrades if you're on FTTN or FTTC and eligible.
- Inspect your hardware to ensure your router and wiring support higher speeds.
- Keep an eye on offers: Providers are already dropping NBN 500/750 plans; compare value, reliability, and promo pricing.
- It’s good to think ahead, even if you’re not a heavy user now; upcoming technologies like VR, 4K streaming, or AI tools will require faster connections.
The upcoming September NBN speed boost marks a pivotal moment for Australian broadband. With substantial upgrades rolling out, households and businesses equipped with FTTP or HFC networks can look forward to faster, more reliable, and future-ready connectivity. Whether you're streaming the latest show in Ultra HD, powering a smart office, or simply looking for buffer-free browsing, your internet experience is about to take a significant leap forward.
Meanwhile, alternative technologies provide striking contrasts. Starlink satellite internet delivers solid speeds of around 50–250 Mbps and excels in remote areas, but often comes with higher latency and cost than fibre-based options. Other contenders, such as Optus’ 5G home wireless, can offer decent performance, typically capped data and variable based on local congestion, but struggle to match the consistency and raw speed that advanced NBN tiers offer.
