Fixed Wireless nbn: what it is and what to expect

Fixed Wireless nbn is a type of nbn connection that delivers internet over the air, using radio signals, rather than through a cable in the ground. A small antenna on your home receives the signal from a nearby nbn tower and passes it to an nbn Connection Box inside, where you plug in your modem.

It's mainly used in regional and outer-suburban areas where running fibre or cable to every home isn't practical. Once it's installed, it works much like any other home internet connection: your modem creates your Wi-Fi network, and you use it the same way.

How Fixed Wireless works

1. An nbn tower in your area sends and receives signals using 4G and 5G technology dedicated to Fixed Wireless (it's not shared with mobile phone users).
2. An antenna fixed to your roof, eaves or an outside wall points at that tower.
3. The antenna is cabled to an nbn Connection Box (sometimes referred to as an NTD, or Network Termination Device) inside your home.
4. Your modem/router plugs into the nbn Connection Box with an ethernet cable and provides Wi-Fi to your devices.

Unlike mobile broadband, your antenna stays in one place and is aimed at a specific tower, so the connection is more stable and consistent than a mobile hotspot or 4G/5G modem.

What to expect during installation

A first-time Fixed Wireless connection needs an nbn technician to visit. During the appointment, the technician will:

• Test the signal at your property to find the best spot for the antenna.
• Install the antenna on your roof, eaves or an outside wall, with a clear line of sight to the tower.
• Run a cable inside and fit the nbn Connection Box, usually on an inside wall near a power point.
• Test the connection before they leave.

Someone aged 18 or over needs to be home for the appointment. If a Fixed Wireless antenna and nbn Connection Box are already installed at the property, a technician visit usually isn't needed.

Speeds available

nbn has upgraded its Fixed Wireless network in recent years, and much faster plans are now available in most Fixed Wireless areas. On Lightning IP, you can choose from:

• FW Basic: up to 25 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload
• FW Plus: up to 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload
• FW Home Fast: up to 250 Mbps download / 8–20 Mbps upload
• FW Super Fast: up to 400 Mbps download / 10–40 Mbps upload

Speeds shown are the maximum speeds of each nbn speed tier. FW Home Fast and FW Super Fast are only available at eligible addresses, depending on your tower and signal strength. We'll confirm which plans you can get when you check your address.

What affects your speed

Fixed Wireless speeds can vary more than fibre connections. The main factors are:

• Signal strength: your distance from the tower and anything in the way, like hills, trees or buildings.
• Busy times: everyone connected to the same tower shares its capacity, so speeds can dip in the evening (7pm–11pm) when most people are online.
• Weather: heavy rain, storms or strong winds can occasionally affect the signal.
• Changes around your home: new buildings or trees growing near the antenna can weaken the signal over time.
• Your home setup: Wi-Fi coverage and older devices can limit the speeds you actually see.

nbn Co publishes typical speeds for peak (7pm–11pm) and off-peak periods separately for Fixed Wireless, because the difference can be more noticeable than on fibre-based connections.

Latency: how responsive it feels

Latency (often called "ping") is how quickly data makes a round trip, and it affects how responsive things like video calls and online games feel.

Fixed Wireless has much lower latency than Sky Muster satellite, so video calls, voice calls and most online gaming work well. It's usually a little higher and less consistent than fibre or cable connections, especially during busy evening periods. For the most responsive connection, plug gaming consoles and work computers into your modem with an ethernet cable.

Getting the best from Fixed Wireless

• Put your modem somewhere central and in the open to get the best Wi-Fi coverage around your home.
• Leave the antenna where it is. Don't move, adjust or paint it, as even small changes can affect your signal.
• Keep trees trimmed near the antenna where it's safe to do so.
• Check for known issues first. If your connection slows or drops, check our network status page before assuming there's a fault.

During a power outage

Fixed Wireless equipment needs power at your home to work, so your internet (and any phone service running over it) will stop during a blackout. If you rely on a home phone for medical or safety reasons, talk to us about battery backup or a mobile-based alternative before you connect.