This is branded content for nbn Australia. Residents across the ACT are set to benefit from nbn's most reliable residential connection yet. The upgrade is expected to significantly improve everyday online activities such as working from home, streaming and video calling, with nbn full fibre shown to be around six times more reliable than older copper-based technologies and capable of supporting download speeds up to 20 times faster where available.
This upgrade forms part of nbn's national program to deliver faster, more reliable internet to more Australians, and is supported by the Australian Government, which will upgrade around 97,000 ACT homes and businesses from older copper-based nbn Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology to more reliable nbn internet via Fibre to Premises (FTTP), subject to eligibility and service requirements.
This ACT upgrade program is complex and includes a hybrid approach which leverages underground builds for most premises and aerial upgrades only where necessary. Considerable planning and development is being undertaken to limit disruptions to daily life where possible.
What's happening
nbn has appointed Ventia to deliver upgrade works in North Canberra and Service Stream in South Canberra. These delivery partners are authorised by nbn to carry out network upgrades and are working on nbn's behalf. They will be the teams residents see in their local area during construction. All workers carry official identification.
Phase one, which began in September 2025, included surveying and design in selected suburbs. During this phase, nbn delivery partners assessed existing underground and aerial infrastructure to help design the new fibre network.
In February 2026, nbn delivery partners transitioned to the second phase, which is the construction phase. The construction phase requires that the physical fibre infrastructure is installed to connect the street network directly to individual properties.
What to expect
nbn and its delivery partners take care to respect residents and their properties and aim to minimise disruption during upgrade activities. In some cases, minor and temporary impacts may occur such as removal of pavers or concrete, garden disturbance, or minor vegetation clearance, all of which will be repaired and reinstated following the completion of works.
A small percentage of homes will need to remain on backyard aerial connections, where underground installation isn't feasible due to existing infrastructure property layout. This will involve multiple backyard visits, temporary power interruptions and, in rare cases, removal of vegetation or structures.
By the third phase and the completion of the project, once upgrades are complete, eligible households and businesses can choose an nbn full fibre plan from their preferred internet provider.
While some temporary inconvenience may occur during construction, these works are designed to deliver long-term improvements to internet reliability and performance, supporting activities such as working from home, streaming on multiple devices, gaming and video-calling.
Where to find more information
You don't need to take any action right now. If access to your property is required, your delivery partner will provide advance notice and clear information about next steps.
nbn, and its approved construction partners, are committed to protecting Canberra's trees. They have been working with the ACT Government to ensure that nbn's fibre installation works avoid or minimise impacts on trees. The agreed tree management standards apply to both private property, and trees within the nature strip/road reserve.
To learn more about these upgrades and how they may affect your residential area, and for details on how to register with your delivery partner, visit www.nbn.com.au/FibreUpgradeACT.
This figure was calculated using nbn network data on service dropouts across these networks nationally, representing an average (with FTTN and FTTC combined) for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 (note August and September are excluded due to software upgrades). Individual experience on the nbn network may vary depending on a range of factors.
Speeds are wholesale download speeds nbn provides to internet providers. nbn offers a 2000Mbps download product which can support 20x faster download speeds in comparison to existing nbn FTTN/FTTC copper-based technology, which have maximum stated download speeds of 100Mbps. Service availability including timing will depend on phone and internet providers offering 2000Mbps download products and is subject to service qualification. Actual speeds achieved depends on a number of factors and may vary, including age of your Wi-Fi router.
