NBN Co Expands Fibre Upgrade Program to Over 1 Million Premises

What's Happening?

NBN Co is expanding its fibre upgrade program to include over 1 million premises with problematic copper lines, allowing them to switch to fibre without purchasing a more expensive plan. This initiative marks a significant evolution from the company's previous target of 53,000 fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) premises with underperforming copper connections. As of June 30, 2025, approximately 700,000 premises were eligible for a fibre upgrade, with the number expected to surpass 1 million by the end of the year. The program aims to improve user experience and reduce support costs by transitioning connections from copper to fibre, addressing issues such as frequent faults and performance problems.

Why It's Important?

The expansion of NBN Co's fibre upgrade program is crucial for improving internet service quality and reliability for users on copper-based lines. By transitioning to fibre, users can expect enhanced speeds and stability, which are essential for modern digital activities such as streaming, gaming, and remote work. This move also represents a strategic effort by NBN Co to reduce maintenance costs associated with copper lines, which are prone to faults and performance issues. The broader fibre rollout could stimulate economic growth by enabling better connectivity for businesses and households, fostering innovation and productivity in various sectors.

What's Next?

NBN Co plans to continue expanding its fibre upgrade program, with a focus on addressing underperforming lines in the fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) footprint. The company is trialing assurance fibre upgrades for FTTC customers, with plans to broaden this initiative in early FY26. Additionally, NBN Co is exploring upgrade paths for multi-dwelling units (MDUs) within the FTTN and FTTC footprint, offering full fibre upgrades with a customer co-contribution. As the program progresses, stakeholders such as retail service providers may advocate for incentives to encourage more users to transition to fibre, potentially influencing NBN Co's future strategies.