Speed guide for Vodafone nbn®
This article will explain the key factors that influence the speed of your nbn® service with Vodafone. To make things simple, we’ve compared internet speeds to driving a car. Even if you own a high-performance sports car, your actual speed depends on things like traffic, speed limits and road conditions. Similarly, your internet speed isn’t just about your plan, it’s shaped by a range of factors like network congestion, your connection type, and your home setup.
Factors that affect the speed of nbn®
Speed tier of your plan
The The speed tier of your plan is like a speed limit. For example, if you take our nbn® Essential plan, your maximum download speed is 25Mbps – even if your internet could potentially reach higher speeds. It’s important to note that a range of factors affect your internet speed. Because of this, you may not always receive the maximum speed available on your plan.
NBN FTTB, FTTN and FTTC technology types
If your Vodafone nbn® plan is delivered using nbn FTTB (Fibre to the Building), FTTN (Fibre to the Node), or FTTC (Fibre to the Curb) technology, your internet speeds may be affected by the length and quality of the copper used by nbn®.
If nbn® advise us that the maximum attainable speed for your service doesn’t support the speed tier of the plan you’ve chosen, we’ll let you know and advise you of your options. These may include:
- Remaining on your current plan with no refund
- Downgrading to a lower speed plan (if available) at no cost and with a refund of the difference
- Cancelling your service at no cost and with a refund of the difference
In some cases, we may automatically move you to a lower speed tier that better matches your connection’s capabilities. If we do, we’ll let you know in advance and ensure you receive a refund for the difference.
Typical Evening Speed
This is the typical evening period download and upload speed that the average customer can expect to receive between 7pm and 11pm or 9am to 5pm for business customers. This is not a guaranteed minimum speed, and you may experience lower speeds during this period due to the factors discussed on this page. The Typical Evening Upload Speed is estimated by reference to the maximum upload speed.
Content that you access
Driving somewhere that’s far away takes longer compared to somewhere that’s close. Similarly, downloading content from overseas takes longer than downloading local content. Also, you may experience slower speeds if you’re trying to access content that’s affected by congestion. This typically happens when a lot of people are trying to access the same site.
Peak hours for internet usage
We constantly watch the speeds of Vodafone nbn® to try and optimise the experience for our customers. However, when a lot of people are online at the same time, your internet speeds can be affected. It’s like traffic during peak hour on a busy road, except that the peak time for internet use is usually between 7pm to 11pm.
Our network capacity
Think of the nbn® as a highway, with each provider having a certain number of lanes that customers can use. When you drive on a highway in peak hour, you’re less likely to be stuck in traffic if there are more lanes. Similarly, the more network capacity your provider buys from nbn®, the faster your internet speeds will be during peak hours. We’re constantly watching the speeds of Vodafone nbn® to try and optimise the experience for our customers.
Number of devices connected
If you use the internet on a single device, it can access all of your bandwidth. But when multiple devices use your internet at the same time, your bandwidth is shared between them. This may feel like you’re experiencing slower speeds, even though it’s really the effect of reduced bandwidth for each device.
Modem type
Your choice of modem and how you set it up in your home could stop you from getting the maximum speed of your internet plan.
If you’re using your own modem, it may struggle to achieve the speeds available on the high-speed nbn® plans with maximum speeds higher than 100Mbps. This includes nbn® Home Fast+, nbn® Home Superfast and nbn® Home Ultrafast plans, as well as existing mobile customers on nbn® Essential+ with a Speed Upgrade on FTTP/HFC. You should check with your device manufacturer or check the device specifications on your Approved Device or Compatible Modem (as applicable) to find the speed capabilities and limitations of the device, including any device you use when connecting to the nbn® service.
To learn more, go to our Compatible Modem support page.
Device Type
Your device, such as your laptop or tablet, can also affect your speeds. Some devices may be capable of accessing the maximum speed available on your plan, while other devices may not. Devices made before 2013 may struggle to reach higher speeds. You may need to check with your device manufacturer or specifications to find the speed capabilities of your device.
Number of devices connected
If you use the internet on a single device, it can access all your bandwidth. But when multiple devices use your internet at the same time, your bandwidth is shared between them. This may feel like you’re experiencing slower speeds, even though it’s really the effect of reduced bandwidth for each device
Wi-Fi performance
Wi-Fi performance can be affected by multiple people using the same Wi-Fi network, physical obstacles, or interference from surrounding devices.
All Vodafone supplied modems come with a 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency. Generally, the 5Ghz frequency can give you faster speeds at a shorter distance, while 2.4GHz offers more range but may have slower speeds.
Additional information
Vodafone nbn® supports five different types of nbn® technology. Each technology has a maximum line speed and uses a different method to connect your premises to a fibre optic line. The nbn® technology connected depends on where you live.
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
If FTTP is available at your address, nbn® run a fibre optic line all the way to your premises. While your internet speeds may still be affected by the factors listed above, all Vodafone nbn® plans are compatible with FTTP connections.
Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
If HFC is available at your address, nbn® connect your premises using a high-speed coaxial cable that connects to the nearest fibre node. While your internet speeds will still be affected by the factors listed above, all Vodafone nbn® plans are compatible with HFC connections. However, some locations may not currently be eligible for high-speed plans without upgrading the nbn® Connection Box or other infrastructure.
Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
If FTTN is available at your address, nbn® connect a nearby fibre node, usually found in a street cabinet, to your premises using the existing copper network. Your internet speeds will be affected by the factors listed above and may also vary depending on factors such as the weather and how far you live from the node. Sometimes, the maximum line speed of FTTN will not support the speed tier of the plan you’ve chosen. If this is the case, we’ll let you know. This technology excludes high-speed nbn® plans with maximum speeds greater than 100Mbps.
Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
If FTTC is available at your address, nbn® connect a nearby Distribution Point Unit (DPU), usually found inside a pit on the street, to your premises using the existing copper network. Your internet speeds will be affected by the factors listed above and may also vary depending on factors such as the weather and how far you live from the pit. Sometimes, the maximum line speed of FTTC will not support the speed tier of the plan you’ve chosen. If this is the case, we’ll let you know. This technology excludes high-speed nbn® plans with maximum speeds greater than 100Mbps.
Fibre to the Basement (FTTB)
If FTTB is available at your address, nbn® connect fibre to a node inside your building, usually found in the communications room, then uses the building’s existing internal wiring to deliver internet into each unit. Your internet speeds will still be affected by the factors listed above and may also vary depending on factors such as the weather and how far you live from the node. Sometimes, the maximum line speed of FTTB will not support the speed tier of the plan you’ve chosen. If this is the case, we’ll let you know. This technology excludes high-speed nbn® plans with maximum speeds greater than 100Mbps.
To find out more about these technology types, head to the nbn co network technology page.
When you choose a Vodafone nbn® plan, you should consider how you use the internet and the number of people that will be connected. You should choose the speed tier that best suits your needs.
If you want to use your own modem with one of our Vodafone nbn® plans, you’ll need to make sure it’s compatible. Find out more on our Compatible Modem support page.
Consumer nbn® plans
| nbn® Basic | nbn® Essential | nbn® Essential+ | nbn® Home Fast | nbn® Home Fast+ | nbn® Home Superfast | nbn® Home Ultrafast | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nbn® speed tier Represents maximum speed during off-peak periods |
nbn® 12 Basic Evening Speed |
nbn® 25 Standard Evening Speed |
nbn® 50 Standard Plus Evening Speed |
nbn® 100 Premium Evening Speed |
Premium Evening Speed | Premium Evening Speed | Premium Evening Speed | |
| Typical Evening Speed period (7pm – 11pm) | ↓ 12Mbps ↑ 0.8Mbps |
↓ 25Mbps ↑ 8Mbps |
↓ 50Mbps ↑ 17Mbps |
↓ 100Mbps ↑ 17Mbps |
↓ 500Mbps ↑ 42Mbps |
↓ 640Mbps ↑ 42Mbps |
↓ 845Mbps ↑ 85Mbps |
|
| Email, social media, browsing, SD streaming (480p) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| HD streaming (1080p) | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ultra HD/4K streaming, online gaming | X | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Number of devices (simultaneous use) | 1 – 3 | 1 – 3 | 3-6 | 6-9 | 9-20 | 9-20 | 9-20 | |
| Availability | All nbn® techs | All nbn® techs | All nbn® techs | FTTB, FTTC & FTTN | FTTP and HFC | FTTP and HFC | FTTP and HFC |
Business nbn® plans
Business nbn® Essential+ |
Business nbn® Fast+ | Business nbn® Profast | Business nbn® Ultrafast | Business nbn® Superfast+ | Business nbn® Ultrafast+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nbn® speed tier Represents maximum speed during off-peak periods |
nbn® 50 Standard Plus Evening Speed |
nbn® 100 Premium Evening Speed |
nbn® 500 Premium Evening Speed |
nbn® 1000 Premium Evening Speed |
nbn® 250+ Premium Evening Speed |
nbn® 1000+ Premium Evening Speed |
| Typical Busy Speed period (9am – 5pm) | ↓ 50Mbps ↑ 17Mbps |
↓ 91Mbps ↑ 34Mbps |
↓ 500Mbps ↑ 42Mbps |
↓ 894Mbps ↑ 85Mbps |
↓ 210Mbps ↑ 85Mbps |
↓ 894Mbps ↑ 345Mbps |
| Our usage recommendation | Good for small businesses where up to 6 people are using at the same time | Great for busy small businesses with up to 9 people using at the same time | Excellent for busy small businesses with up to 20 people using at the same time | Best for small businesses with up to 20 people using at the same time or for those that simply want the fastest speed we offer | Best for larger offices and sites with up to 20 users online at the same time or who require higher upload speeds due to larger file transfer requirements | Best for larger offices and sites with over 50 users online at the same time or who require higher upload speeds due to larger file transfer requirements |
| Example activities | Great for browsing online, sending emails and online collaboration | Best for video conferences, cloud storage and continuous file sharing | Connecting many devices at once, streaming video on several devices & responsive online gaming and downloading very large files quickly | Connecting many devices at once, streaming video on several devices & responsive online gaming and downloading very large files as quickly as possible | Some users that are constantly online using voice & video calls, emails, browse onlilne, stream video content in 4K & download/upload large files quickly | Many users that are constantly online using voice & video calls, emails, browse onlilne, stream video content in 4K & download/upload large files quickly |
| eSLA | Not Applicable | 12hr eSLA | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 12hr eSLA | 4hr eSLA |
If your current nbn® plan isn’t right for you, you can change your nbn® plan once per billing cycle at no extra cost, even during your contract period. For example, if you’re on an nbn® Home Fast plan that uses nbn® 100 but the maximum line speed for your connection is 50Mbps, you should switch to the nbn® Essential+ plan, which uses nbn® 50. This is because you’ll never reach the maximum speed supported by a plan that uses nbn® 100.
The best way to check your Vodafone nbn® speeds is by running a speed test (ping test).
To get a better understanding of your internet performance, test your speeds at different times throughout the day. For the most accurate results, connect your computer to your Vodafone-supplied or BYO compatible modem using an Ethernet cable before running the test. You can also run the test while connected to Wi-Fi, but keep in mind that Wi-Fi performance may affect your speed results.
Here’s how to run a speed test (ping test):
1. Disconnect Wi-Fi devices
Disconnect any Wi-Fi devices connected to your modem.
2. Connect your modem
Connect your modem to your computer with an Ethernet cable.
3. Use the Speedtest website
Go to the Speedtest website and follow the prompts.
We’re committed to giving you a great Vodafone nbn® experience. If you have an issue with your speeds, give us a call on 1300 801 122 and we’ll investigate the issue for you.