RDAUTBMag2026

Shift to full fibre (goodbye copper) The long-term direction is clear: replace old copper-based connec- tions with fibre. • Over 3.5 million homes became eligible for fibre upgrades by the end of 2025 • The government is funding upgrades so ~95% of remaining FTTN users can move to fibre • Fibre is now becoming the dominant technology on the network Why this matters: Fibre is more reliable, faster, and less affected by distance or weather than old copper lines. Most homes getting “future- proofed” NBN Co’s goal is basically to modernise the whole network: • Around 90% of fixed-line homes can now access gigabit or higher speeds • Continuous upgrades are planned to keep up with rising data demand • Households now average doz- ens of connected devices (TVs, phones, smart homes, etc.) Translation: The network is being built to handle the next 10–20 years of internet usage. Smarter network + better performance Future NBN isn’t just faster—it’s also: • More reliable (less congestion and dropouts) • Better for uploads (important for Zoom, cloud, content cre- ation) • Designed for low latency (good for gaming and real-time apps) PHOTO CREDI: AUSSIE BROADBAND reader ’ s digest 34   MAY 2026 Short term (now–2027): • Rapid fibre upgrades • Faster plans becoming stan- dard (500–1000 Mbps) • More homes eligible for giga- bit+ Medium term: • Copper mostly phased out • Multi-gig (2Gbps+) more com- mon • Better upload speeds Long term: • Fully fibre-based network • Comparable to top global broadband systems • Supports AI, smart homes, remote work, and high- bandwidth tech The Vision for the Future The future of Australia’s NBN (National Broadband Network) is actually pretty clear now—it’s moving toward faster speeds, more fibre, and fewer old copper connections. With Aussie Broadband at the helm of reinvention, the NBN is moving from a “patchwork network” to a modern, fibre-heavy, high-speed system. If you’re on fibre (or getting upgraded soon), your internet experience will improve a lot over the next few years. Here’s a peek into the exciting future of nbn The move to full fibre is about ensuring customers are connected to the latest and greatest technology (fibre), which is leaps and bounds more resilient than legacy tech (like copper). “Aussie Broadband has always been committed to the long-term interests of customers, and with our national appetite for bandwidth and data growing exponentially, we have always believed that full fibre is the best long-term solution,” says Jono Prosser. Legacy tech currently sees three to four times the fault rate of fibre, meaning millions of Australians are still trapped in a cycle of frustrating PHOTO CREDI: AUSSIE BROADBAND readersdigest.com.au     35 Trusted Brands