NBN mythbusting: Will you pay more for an FTTP NBN plan?

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 05 May 2026

Technician holding fibre-optic cable for use in fibre to the premises NBN connection

Last month, we reported that from July 2027, NBN Co plans to force customers in FTTN and FTTC areas to upgrade to an FTTP connection. It's calling this the Targeted Upgrade program.

There's since been some confusion online as to how much it costs a customer to be upgraded to full fibre, so we thought we'd bust some myths and sort out the facts.

Myth #1: NBN Co is forcing me to pay for a faster plan

At the time of writing, it's true that those who want to get a free upgrade to FTTP must order an NBN 500 plan at a minimum. If you're on an NBN 25 or NBN 50 plan, you're looking at paying around $10 to $20 more per month after you upgrade. But if you're already on an NBN 100 plan, you'll actually end up getting five times faster speed for the same price. Most NBN providers have identical pricing for NBN 100 and NBN 500 plans.

However, before the Targeted Upgrade program kicks off, this July, NBN will be relaxing its eligibility requirements for Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) households so that there's no requirement to order a higher-speed tier. When the Targeted Upgrade program starts, addresses being forced to upgrade will be able to stay on an NBN 50 plan but still upgrade to FTTP. As such, prices won't change.

Myth #2: FTTP plans cost more than other connection types

There are seven NBN connection types, five of which are fixed-line connections. Regardless of which fixed-line connection type you have, you'll pay the same amount for a plan on the same speed tier. For example, someone with an FTTP connection on an NBN 50 plan pays exactly the same as someone on an FTTN plan.

Myth #3: You have to change providers to get an upgrade

Most major NBN providers are participants in NBN Co's free upgrade programs. If you're not with one of those providers, yes, you may have to switch providers. However, switching NBN providers may not be the worst thing.

If you've been with the same provider for more than six months or over a year, it's likely you've started paying your provider more after the end of a honeymoon deal. Most providers have a six-month deal for new customers, with prices going up around $20 to $30 after they end. Switching to a new provider might end up saving you some money.

Here's a look at the most popular NBN 500 plans in our database from providers that are participants in the free upgrade program:

Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo FTTP, HFC Editor's Pick nbn500 Unlimited Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/48 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $92.99/mth. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99 Go to Site*	$62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99	Go to Site
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
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
TPG	TPG FTTP, HFC nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $240 over 12mths! $74.99/mth for first 12 months, then $94.99/mth. Min cost $84.99 if modem returned. T&Cs apply $74.99/mth for first 12 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $74.99 Link not supplied	$74.99/mth for first 12 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $74.99	Link not supplied
Exetel	Exetel FTTP, HFC One Plan 500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/45 Mbps Unlimited Data $80/mth Min. cost $80 Go to Site	$80/mth Min. cost $80	Go to Site
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
SpinTel	SpinTel FTTP, HFC Home Turbo 500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20.95 off your plan for first 6 months! $69/mth for first 6 months, then $89.95/mth. $69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.95/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.95/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband FTTP, HFC Fast Fibre - Unlimited FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/44 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING20. $99/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $79/mth for first 6 months, then $99/mth Min. cost $79 Link not supplied	$79/mth for first 6 months, then $99/mth Min. cost $79	Link not supplied
Flip	Flip FTTP, HFC Unlimited Fast Speed nbn500 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $19.90/mth off for 6 months - $69/mth for first 6mths then $88.90/mth. New customers only. Ends 31.10.26. T&Cs apply. $69/mth for first 6 mths then $88.90/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths then $88.90/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
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

Why does NBN Co want people to get FTTP?

There are a whole host of reasons NBN Co wants people to migrate to an FTTP connection.

FTTC and FTTN connections have the slowest potential speeds because they contain the largest amount of copper in routing the internet connection to your home. In addition to delivering lower maximum speeds, copper is also expensive to maintain and more prone to disruption. FTTP connections can reliably be repaired in hours, while FTTN services can take days to fix in the event of inclement weather.

NBN Co has also said it's unsure if global supply chains can be relied on for the equipment needed to maintain copper networks. Moving more Aussies over to fibre will future-proof internet connections.

Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.

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