ACCC finds FTTP to be the most reliable | Dirt Report

FTTP leads the reliability comparison

The ACCC’s Measuring Broadband Australia report, released on 26 June 2024, identifies fibre to the premises as delivering the most reliable broadband connection among the technologies discussed in the video.

FTTP uses fibre all the way to the premises, carrying data as light through a glass fibre. Unlike copper, it is not affected by electromagnetic interference in the same way. The connection can still be disrupted by events such as a cut cable or a power outage, but the fibre access path is less exposed to the physical limitations associated with older copper infrastructure.

The video also notes that future speed increases on fibre can be achieved by upgrading the equipment at either end of the connection, rather than replacing the fibre itself.

Download performance across Australia

The report’s regional figures showed strong average download performance during busy periods. The figures discussed were 97.1 per cent of plan speed in Western Australia, 99.2 per cent in Queensland, 100 per cent in New South Wales and Victoria, 97 per cent in Tasmania, and 97.8 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory. The video also described the Northern Territory result as very strong.

Across Australia, the reported national result during busy hours was 99.8 per cent of the advertised plan speed. The video links the improvement in these results to the wider rollout of fibre services.

Copper limitations become clearer at higher speeds

The technology comparison shows why the type of NBN connection matters. Fibre to the node was reported at approximately 102 per cent of plan speed on 25Mbps services, but around 94 per cent on 50Mbps services and 87 per cent on 100Mbps services.

The video explains that FTTN relies on copper for the final section of the connection. Copper performance can be affected by distance, age and degradation, making it harder for higher-speed plans to reach their advertised performance consistently.

Fibre to the curb performed at about 104 per cent on the 50Mbps plan discussed, while HFC also showed strong results. Fixed wireless was reported at about 86 per cent, although performance can be more variable during busy periods.

Retail service provider results need context

The report also compares average download and upload performance by retail service provider. The figures discussed included download results in the high 90s or above 100 per cent for several providers, with some providers showing higher averages than others.

However, the video raises a caveat about how the data is collected. SamKnows provides measurement systems used to gather broadband performance information, and people who participate may not represent the full customer base. Customers with very poor performance may also be more likely to comment publicly than customers whose connections work as expected.

For that reason, the provider averages are useful as an indicator, but they should not be treated as a guarantee of the experience at an individual address. Connection technology, plan speed and local network conditions remain important.

Upload speeds remain a concern

The video highlights that upload performance is still a weakness for many Australian NBN customers. The providers discussed were generally recording between 83 and 86 per cent of plan upload speed, with one result mentioned at 88 per cent.

The presenter says that fibre is currently the best option for higher upload performance, although higher upload plans cost more. A symmetrical 50Mbps upload and download service is suggested as something that could benefit many users, but the video does not state that such a service is currently broadly available.