The short version

Key points

  • NBN Co is targeting 2030 to complete upgrades across the remaining fibre-to-the-node footprint.
  • The target is for 95% of Australian premises to be able to access fibre to the premises or another non-copper solution.
  • Up to $3 billion in government equity funding will support the work, with NBN Co contributing a further $800 million.
  • The announcement refers to premises being eligible to upgrade, not necessarily subscribing to a fibre service.
  • Economic modelling forecasts a possible $10.4 billion GDP benefit, 10,000 supported jobs and 4,000 additional business owners over the next decade.

What is changing for FTTN customers

Fibre to the node, or FTTN, uses fibre to a street-side node and copper for the remaining connection to a home or business. NBN Co has announced upgrades for the remaining premises in this footprint, with the intention of replacing the copper section with fibre to the premises where possible.

The plan is aimed at moving Australia closer to a predominantly fibre-based fixed-line network. NBN Co is targeting 95% of Australian premises being ready to upgrade to fibre to the premises or another technology that does not rely on the existing copper connection by 2030.

Coverage does not mean everyone will use fibre

The 95% figure refers to premises that will be able to connect. It does not mean that 95% of homes and businesses will actively use a fibre service. Customers may choose 5G, Starlink, another connection type, or no service at all.

The announcement identifies 622,000 homes and businesses still to be addressed in the upgrade program. Separately, NBN Co says more than 9 million households and businesses are already using fibre to the premises or a fibre-based HFC solution, while around 4 million premises can upgrade but have not yet done so.

Funding and expected timing

The upgrade is backed by up to $3 billion in Australian Government equity investment. NBN Co is also committing $800 million of its own funding. The stated completion target is 2030, although this is still several years away from the announcement published in January 2025.

The remaining 5% of premises will require further design work. These locations are expected to include complex areas and premises that are further from existing nodes, where upgrading the network will involve more difficult construction.

Economic claims and regional challenges

Economic modelling referenced in the announcement estimates that completing the remaining fibre upgrades could increase GDP by $10.4 billion, support 10,000 jobs and create 4,000 business owners over the next decade. The modelling covers the period from 2026 to 2034 and represents a forecast rather than a guaranteed outcome.

Regional deployment is likely to take longer because it can require more digging and civil construction across larger distances. The transcript also refers to state-backed work, including funding from the Victorian Government for upgrades covering 100,000 premises through the Connecting Victoria program. Some premises may continue using other options, including NBN Co’s SkyMuster service, while more complex areas are assessed.

To qualify for the standard NBN full fibre upgrade pathway discussed in the video, customers still need to order a plan with download speeds of at least 100 Mbps.

TechManPat’s conclusion

I think moving away from copper is a positive step for Australia, provided the forecast benefits are realised and the difficult regional areas are not overlooked. Fibre should make future upgrades more practical because improvements can generally involve equipment at each end of the connection rather than replacing the cable itself. I am optimistic that the completed network will create useful value for households, businesses and the wider economy, but the 2030 target and the economic estimates remain plans and forecasts rather than finished results.
Source note

This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.