If you’re on one of our faster plans (like the No Worries 500/50, Fair Dinkum 750/50, the Flamin’ Fast nbn 1000/100, or Scorchin’ Fast nbn 2000), your in home setup can make a big difference to your experience.
Here is what you need to know to make sure you are getting the best out of your connection.
Why does your home setup matter?
Even with a top speed nbn plan, factors inside your home can affect performance:
- Where your router is placed
- The age and quality of your devices
- Interference from walls, furniture or other electronics
- Whether you are using Wi Fi or Ethernet
These can all impact things like streaming, online gaming, and video calls.
1. Router placement tips
- Put your router in a central, elevated position.
- Avoid placing it near fridges, TVs, microwaves or behind furniture.
- Keep it off the floor and away from enclosed spaces like cupboards.
- Make sure it is in the same building, room or level where you need internet the most.
- For larger homes, consider using a mesh Wi Fi system to extend your coverage.
2. Use the right equipment
- Your router should support Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) on both LAN and WAN ports for 500 Mbps and 1000 Mbps plans.
- For Scorchin’ Fast nbn 2000, your router should have multi gigabit ports on both WAN and LAN (minimum 2.5 Gbps).
- For wireless, Wi Fi 6 (802.11ax) is ideal, or at minimum Wi Fi 5 (802.11ac). Remember, speeds may be lower over Wi Fi.
- For the best performance on 2000 Mbps plans, Wi Fi 6E or Wi Fi 7 is recommended.
- Use CAT6 or better Ethernet cables to support faster wired speeds, especially on 1000 Mbps and 2000 Mbps plans.
| Cable type | Max speed |
|---|---|
| CAT6a | Up to 10Gbps |
| CAT6 | Up to 5Gbps |
| CAT5e | Up to 1Gbps |
Read more information on what type of router you need for fast nbn plans.
3. Device compatibility matters
- Not all devices are created equal. Older phones, laptops or tablets might not support higher speeds.
- Check that your devices support Wi Fi 5 or Wi Fi 6. Remember, speeds may be lower over Wi Fi.
- Use Ethernet for gaming consoles, smart TVs or desktops when you can, especially on 1000 Mbps and 2000 Mbps plans.
- For laptops and desktops, make sure the network card supports Gigabit speeds for 500 Mbps and 1000 Mbps plans, and multi gigabit (2.5 Gbps) for 2000 Mbps plans.
To check your Ethernet speed:
On Windows
- Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet
- Click Change adapter options
- Double click your Ethernet connection
- Check if the Speed says 1.0 Gbps or higher
On Mac
- Open Network Utility and look for Link Speed (should show 1 Gbps or higher)
- MacBooks may need a Thunderbolt or USB C to Ethernet adapter, and for 2000 Mbps plans a 2.5 Gbps capable adapter is recommended.
4. Avoid peak hour slowdowns
- Internet speeds can dip between 7pm and 11pm due to high usage across the network.
- Schedule big downloads or updates outside these hours for better performance.
5. Wi Fi performance tips
- Use the 5GHz Wi Fi band for faster speeds and less interference instead of 2.4GHz where possible.
- For the very best performance on ultra fast plans, routers that support 6GHz bands via Wi Fi 6E or Wi Fi 7 can help reduce congestion.
- Avoid having too many devices connected at once where possible, especially during peak times.
- Keep firmware on your router up to date.
6. Need even more help?
- Check out our Flamin’ Fast nbn 1000/100 FAQs for plan specific recommendations.
- Read our FAQ on what you need to get the full speed on Scorchin’ Fast nbn 2000.
- Chat to our support team for help with setup and speed optimisation.
Optimising your home network helps you get the speeds you are paying for, especially on our fastest plans. If you are not sure where to start, just reach out to our support team and we will walk you through it.
