Everything you need to know about the nbn® HFC network upgrades
Upgrades to nbn’s Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) network are now underway, gradually bringing faster, more reliable internet to homes and businesses across Australia.
These upgrades are an important step toward enhancing nbn’s network performance and future-proofing Australian internet infrastructure. Here’s everything you need to know about how the upgrade works and what it means for HFC customers.
What is the HFC network upgrade?
HFC is one of nbn’s seven internet technology types, connecting around two million properties across Australia. As part of their ongoing commitment to providing a better internet experience nationwide, nbn is progressively replacing and upgrading certain parts of the HFC network, delivering a substantially improved HFC internet experience.
Why are these changes important?
Once the network upgrades are complete, customers connected via HFC can expect a more reliable internet experience overall. These upgrades will minimise drop outs and network outages while delivering more consistent service speeds, particularly during peak periods.
What’s actually being upgraded?
nbn is updating key external components of the HFC network, prioritising replacing hardware in areas that are underperforming and causing slow speeds and regular drop outs for customers.
This will involve replacing old amplifiers and optical nodes with modern equipment, expanding the upstream spectrum to handle more online traffic, and preparing the network for further upgrades, ensuring a better HFC experience now and in the future.
How can I find out if I’m connected with HFC?
If you’re a Leaptel customer, you can find your service technology type in your Members Portal on your service details page under Access Technology.
Another way to find out is through the hardware set up in your home. If your connection uses a little black nbn box like the one below, you’ve got a HFC service.
Will the upgrade cause disruptions to my service?
The HFC upgrade has been carefully planned by nbn to keep service disruptions to a minimum. For more information on the upgrade process and timeframes, please head to nbn’s website.
Will I be notified if upgrades are happening in my area?
If you’re a Leaptel customer and there are HFC upgrade activities scheduled in your area, we’ll let you know in advance via email.
Not a Leaptel customer? You can always reach out to your current internet provider to find out about their notification process.
When will I experience the benefits of the upgrade?
Once the upgrade activities are complete in your area, you’ll be able to enjoy the new and improved network almost immediately.
