Do I need a modem for the NBN?

Anula Wiwatowska - Offsite Editorial Lead

Last updated 08 January 2026

Contents

In this modem guide:

What modem do I need for the NBN?
What's the difference between a modem and router?
FAQ

If you're new to the NBN or have switched to a new technology type then you may be asking if you need a modem or a new modem for the NBN.

The answer to this question depends on what kind of connection you have. Some NBN technology types will need a modem while others will need a router, some will need both. A modem is used to connect to the internet while a router is used to distribute that connection to your devices. Note that many modems are also routers, so be sure to check if you need two separate devices.

Where a modem is required, any VDSL2-compatible modem should work with your NBN connection. Note that some suppliers will not provide tech support if you don't use one of their certified modems/routers.

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What modem do I need for the NBN?

Here's what equipment you'll need for each different NBN connection type:

Fibre to the Premises NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug directly into your NBN connection box.
HFC NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug into the NBN connection box
Fibre to the Node NBN: You'll need a modem router. This will plug into the telephone socket used to facilitate your NBN connection.
Fibre to the Building NBN: You'll need a modem router. This will plug into the telephone socket used to facilitate your NBN connection.
Fibre to the Curb NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug into the connection box supplied by NBN Co.
Fixed Wireless NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug into the connection box supplied by NBN Co.
Satellite NBN: You'll need a router. This will plug into the satellite modem that NBN Co supplies for free.

Alternatively, check out NBN plans that come with a "free" modem. While you'll pay $0 upfront for a modem or router with these providers, if you leave within a certain time frame - normally two or three years - you'll need to pay a prorated hardware fee.

#1	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN 50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $64.90/month for first 6 months, then $89.90/month. $64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90 Go to Site	$64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90	Go to Site
#2	Superloop	Superloop All Fixed Line nbn® Extra-value nbn50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 months! $69/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Bundle & Save $69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#3	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#4	Optus	Optus All Fixed Line nbn® Optus Everyday nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $82/mth for a year, then $97/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $388. Ends 6/10. $82/mth for first 12 months, then $97/mth or as notified Min. cost $82 Link not supplied	$82/mth for first 12 months, then $97/mth or as notified Min. cost $82	Link not supplied
#5	iPrimus	iPrimus All Fixed Line nbn® Standard Plus Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data $90/mth Min. cost $90 Link not supplied	$90/mth Min. cost $90	Link not supplied
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone All Fixed Line nbn® Essential+ nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone. T&Cs apply. $94/mth Min. cost $94 Link not supplied	$94/mth Min. cost $94	Link not supplied
#7	More	More All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $75/mth for 36 months, then $90/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $100/mth Min. cost $100 Link not supplied	$100/mth Min. cost $100	Link not supplied

#1	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Speedy NBN 100/20 FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $67.90/mth for first 6 months, then $92.90/mth. $67.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $67.90 Go to Site	$67.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $67.90	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn Home Fast Liimitless FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 99/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for 6 mths - $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $94.99/mth. Use code SAVE25FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#3	Superloop	Superloop FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Family nbn100/20 FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 95/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $21/mth off 6 months! $74/mth for 6 mths, then $95/mth + Bundle & Save $74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74 Go to Site	$74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74	Go to Site
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Home Fast nbn® FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 99/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 12 mths, then reverts to $99/mth + Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone $79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79 Link not supplied	$79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79	Link not supplied
#5	Optus	Optus FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Optus Fast nbn® FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $84/mth for a year, then $99/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $390. Ends 6/10. $84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#6	Telstra	Telstra FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Premium Internet Only Plan FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $99/mth Min. cost $49.50 Link not supplied	$99/mth Min. cost $49.50	Link not supplied
#7	iPrimus	iPrimus FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Premium Plan FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data $100/mth Min. cost $100 Link not supplied	$100/mth Min. cost $100	Link not supplied
#8	More	More FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Fast NBN FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $80/mth for 36 months, then $95/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $105/mth Min. cost $105 Link not supplied	$105/mth Min. cost $105	Link not supplied

#1	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTP, HFC Speedy Max NBN 500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $33/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth. Ends 30.10.26 $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet FTTP, HFC nbn500 Liimitless FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for 6 mths - $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $94.99/mth. Use code SAVE25FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#3	Superloop	Superloop FTTP, HFC Family Max nbn500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/45 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $21/mth off for 6 mths! $74/mth for 6 mths, then $95/mth + Bundle & Save $74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74 Go to Site	$74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74	Go to Site
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone FTTP, HFC Home Fast+ nbn® FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 12 mths, then reverts to $99/mth + Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone $79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79 Link not supplied	$79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79	Link not supplied
#5	Optus	Optus FTTP, HFC Optus Fast nbn® FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/43 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $84/mth for a year, then $99/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $390. Ends 6/10. $84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#6	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Premium Internet Only Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $99/mth Min. cost $49.50 Link not supplied	$99/mth Min. cost $49.50	Link not supplied
#7	iPrimus	iPrimus FTTP, HFC Premium Plus Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/47 Mbps Unlimited Data $100/mth Min. cost $100 Link not supplied	$100/mth Min. cost $100	Link not supplied
#8	More	More FTTP, HFC Fast Max NBN FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $80/mth for 36 months, then $95/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $105/mth Min. cost $105 Link not supplied	$105/mth Min. cost $105	Link not supplied

If these plans aren't what you're looking for, try our NBN plans comparison tool and compare prices, speeds, modem/router needs and more.

What's the difference between a modem and router?

As aforementioned, whether you need a modem or a router for your NBN depends on the technology used to connect your house to the broader network. But what's the actual difference?

In short, a modem is the device that actually connects you to the internet. A router is then responsible for sharing an internet connection with the other devices in your home.

Most modems you can buy double as a router, hence the term modem router. Standalone modems are very rare. Standalone routers are pretty common, however.

If you're looking to buy a new modem, the easiest way to tell the difference between a modem and a router is to read the box or product description. A modem router will always be called a modem router. A standalone router won't feature the word "modem" anywhere on the box.

FAQ

Is the NBN connection box a modem?

If you're on an HFC, FTTC, or fixed wireless NBN connection, you'll get an NBN connection box supplied by NBN Co. This acts as your modem. You'll still need a router, however.

Are NBN modems different to ADSL modems?

Yes, ADSL modems are different to NBN modems. The only instance where a modem you're using an ADSL plan may work with the NBN is if you're already using a VDSL2 modem for your ADSL and you've got a FTTN or FTTB connection.

Do I need a router for the NBN?

In every single instance, you'll need a router for your NBN connection. In some cases, the router may be integrated directly into your modem, however.

Anula Wiwatowska

Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram

Anula is the Off-Site Editorial Lead for WhistleOut Australia, and an award winning tech journalist. She has been writing about the Australian telco industry, and consumer technology for over five years, and has been known to tell her Uber driver which phone they should upgrade to next.

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