Business Internet Guide

Business Fibre vs NBN: Which Does Your Business Need?

Both options deliver reliable connectivity, but they are built for different needs and budgets. Here is an honest breakdown covering speed, cost, support, and what actually matters for your business.

Send Enquiry Form CALL US: 1300 293 266

The fundamental difference: NBN gives you fast downloads. Business fibre gives you fast downloads AND uploads. If your team sends as much data as it receives, that difference changes everything.

The Two Options

Standard NBN

Consumer-grade broadband adapted for business use. Asymmetrical speeds mean downloads are fast but uploads are limited. Shared infrastructure can cause slowdowns during peak hours.

  • Speeds from 50Mbps to 1000Mbps download
  • Upload limited to 20-50Mbps on most plans
  • From $89.95/mo (inc GST)
  • No formal SLA or uptime guarantee
  • Standard call centre support

Business Fibre

Purpose-built for business operations. Symmetrical speeds mean uploads match downloads. Dedicated connection with guaranteed uptime and a named account manager.

  • Symmetrical speeds from 150/150 to 1000/1000 Mbps
  • Upload matches download speed
  • From $199.95/mo (ex GST)
  • 99.95% uptime SLA with defined response times
  • Dedicated account manager

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureStandard NBNBusiness Fibre
Speed TypeAsymmetrical (e.g. 100/20 Mbps)Symmetrical (e.g. 250/250 Mbps)
Upload SpeedLimited (20-50 Mbps typical)Matches download (150-1000 Mbps)
DataUnlimited on most plansUnlimited on all plans
BandwidthShared with other users in your areaDedicated connection, less contention
Peak-Time SlowdownsCommon, especially on FTTN and HFCNo peak-time restrictions
Uptime GuaranteeBest-effort (no formal SLA)99.95% uptime SLA
SupportStandard call centre supportDedicated account manager
Fault ResponseNo guaranteed timeframeDefined SLA response times
Monthly CostFrom $89.95/mo (inc GST)From $199.95/mo (ex GST)
InstallationVaries by connection type3 to 5 business days typical

Understanding the Details

Standard NBN works well for businesses with fewer than five staff using the internet at once, where the primary activities are browsing, email, and downloading files.

If your team does not rely heavily on video conferencing or VoIP phones, and you can tolerate occasional slowdowns during peak hours, NBN delivers solid value for money.

Our NBN Limitless plans start at $89.95/mo with unlimited data, no contracts, and a free modem option. For many small businesses and home offices in Melbourne, this is the right choice.

Business fibre becomes the right choice when your team runs frequent video calls on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, uses VoIP phone systems like 3CX, or accesses cloud-based software like Xero, MYOB, or Salesforce.

If you send large files to clients regularly, have multiple staff working simultaneously on cloud applications, or if downtime directly costs your business money through missed calls and stalled operations, fibre delivers the reliability you need.

The price difference between NBN and business fibre reflects what you get: symmetrical speeds, guaranteed uptime, and priority support when something goes wrong.

The monthly bill is only part of the cost. Consider what happens when your internet drops out or slows down during a business day: staff sitting idle, dropped VoIP calls with clients, video conferences freezing mid-presentation, failed file transfers, and point-of-sale systems going offline.

If your business relies on its internet connection to operate, the cost of an unreliable connection is always higher than the cost of upgrading to one that works.

FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) is the best NBN option with fibre running directly to your building, capable of speeds up to 1000Mbps. If you have FTTP, standard NBN may be enough for a smaller business.

FTTN (Fibre to the Node) is the most common and most limited type. Copper covers the last stretch to your premises, and speeds drop the further you are from the node.

HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial) uses old cable TV infrastructure with shared bandwidth. Upload speeds are particularly limited.

If your business is on FTTN or HFC and experiencing slow speeds, the connection type itself may be the bottleneck. Upgrading your plan will not help if the infrastructure cannot deliver the speed. Business fibre bypasses these limitations entirely.

Not sure which option suits your business? We can check what is available at your address and give you a straight recommendation based on your actual needs.

Send Enquiry Form CALL US: 1300 293 266

The Pricing Breakdown

NBN Limitless Plans (inc GST)

  • Limitless 50 (50/20 Mbps): $89.95/mo
  • Limitless 100 (100/20 Mbps): $99.95/mo
  • Limitless 500 (500/50 Mbps): $129.95/mo
  • Limitless 1000 (1000/100 Mbps): $159.95/mo
  • Unlimited data, no contracts, free modem option

Business Fibre Plans (ex GST)

  • 150/150 Mbps: $199.95/mo
  • 250/250 Mbps: $249.95/mo
  • 500/500 Mbps: $299.95/mo
  • 1000/1000 Mbps: $499.95/mo
  • Symmetrical speeds, 99.95% uptime SLA, dedicated account manager

Frequently Asked Questions

NBN uses the national broadband network infrastructure with shared bandwidth and asymmetrical speeds. Business fibre provides a dedicated connection with symmetrical upload and download speeds, guaranteed uptime via SLA, and a dedicated account manager. NBN is a consumer-grade product adapted for business. Business fibre is built specifically for business operations.

If your business depends on consistent internet for VoIP calls, video conferencing, cloud software, or large file transfers, the answer is typically yes. The extra cost buys you symmetrical speeds, guaranteed uptime, and priority fault resolution. For a business where an hour of downtime costs more than the monthly price difference, fibre pays for itself.

Business fibre availability depends on your location and the fibre networks in your area. We can check your address and tell you exactly what options are available, including which carriers service your premises and what speeds you can expect.

Your NBN connection type matters more than your plan speed. If you are on FTTN, the copper wiring between the street node and your premises limits your actual speed regardless of the plan you are on. HFC connections share bandwidth with neighbours. Only FTTP delivers the full speeds your plan allows.

If your business uses VoIP phones, video conferencing, cloud-based software, or regularly sends large files, yes. These activities depend on upload speed as much as download speed. A 100/20 NBN connection can struggle with a Teams call and cloud backup running simultaneously. A 250/250 fibre connection handles both without issue.

Yes. Business fibre is installed as a separate connection, so your existing NBN stays active until the fibre is ready. Once installed and tested, we cut over to the new connection. The process typically takes 3 to 5 business days for installation, with the actual switchover taking minutes.

For a small office with fewer than five staff doing basic browsing, email, and occasional video calls, NBN on an FTTP connection works well. Our Limitless plans deliver solid performance at a lower price point. If you are on FTTN or HFC, or your team relies heavily on cloud software and VoIP, business fibre may be the better investment.

We can check what is available at your address and recommend the right option based on your actual usage, team size, and budget. No obligation, just a straight answer.

Send Enquiry Form CALL US: 1300 293 266