NBN fibre trial hits 230Gbps with Nokia tech blend

NBN Co has completed a technical trial of multiple optical technologies on its existing Fibre to the Premises network, showing that the same physical fibre infrastructure can support several generations of access technology at once.

Conducted with Nokia, the trial combined coherent optics with GPON, XGSPON and 50GPON over the same full-fibre access network used for homes and businesses. In the lab, it reached more than 230 gigabits per second of capacity.

The result is significant as the operator continues a broad shift away from older copper-based services towards full fibre. FTTP is now the dominant technology on NBN Co's fixed-line network, accounting for about 35 per cent of connections after more than 1 million customers moved from legacy copper.

As of 31 December 2025, FTTP connections stood at 2.99 million, up 24 per cent from a year earlier. NBN Co also said 10 million premises, or about 90 per cent of those on its fixed-line network, were eligible to order multi-gigabit-capable wholesale download speeds.

Work has also begun for more than 228,000 premises under a programme to upgrade more than 95 per cent of the roughly 622,000 homes and businesses still using copper connections. The programme remains targeted for completion by 2030.

Trial details

Coherent optics are more commonly used in core and data centre networks than in residential broadband access. By testing them alongside GPON, XGSPON and 50GPON on the same access infrastructure, NBN Co and Nokia aimed to show that newer transmission methods can run on current fibre deployments rather than requiring an entirely new build.

NBN Co described the demonstration as a world first, using the same type of full-fibre access infrastructure it already deploys across Australia.

The approach could influence how operators expand capacity as data use rises. Rather than replacing fibre, network owners can increase what each strand carries by upgrading the electronics and optical systems at either end.

Average monthly data downloads reached 557 gigabytes per active service across connected premises, up 13 per cent year on year, according to NBN Co. For FTTP services, the average was 668 gigabytes, up 14 per cent, reflecting stronger take-up of higher-speed services.

Executive views

Guy Scott, Chief Technology Officer at NBN Co, said the trial highlighted the long-term potential of the company's fibre network.

"Our Supercharging Fibre technical trial further demonstrates our full fibre technology is future-ready, especially as FTTP is now the dominant technology on nbn's fixed line network.

"I'm proud that our existing full fibre infrastructure was able to support multiple generations of technologies, with world first results achieved.

"More importantly the trial has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of nbn's world-class FTTP infrastructure and its potential to support ultra-fast speeds for households and business customers in the future.

"Homes and businesses across Australia are demanding more data than ever before, and this will only continue to accelerate in coming decades as we see increased adoption and applications of emerging technologies.

"Access to high-speed broadband is a critical enabler of productivity, innovation and economic growth and full fibre technology enables that with unmatched reliability, speed and scalability in the nbn residential space.

"NBN Co and Nokia are close collaborative partners, and I'm delighted that we were able to work together in achieving these great results," Scott said.

Andrew Cope, Head of Global Sales and Customer Operations for Asia Pacific at Nokia, said the trial showed how different optical technologies could share the same FTTP network.

"Full fibre remains the fixed network technology for advanced connectivity in the future. This nbn technical trial demonstrated that different optical technologies, including Coherent Optics and 50 GPON, have the capability to operate across a shared FTTP network simultaneously to deliver both consumer and enterprise services without new fibre infrastructure, saving deployment costs and the time to deliver services to customers. Nokia is proud to partner with nbn to deliver another world first technical trial," Cope said.

The test offers a snapshot of how broadband operators are trying to extend the life of fibre assets while responding to heavier demand from cloud services, video, gaming and other data-intensive applications. NBN Co said the trial also pointed to scope for even higher rates in future tests, with the potential to move towards terabit levels.