The End of ADSL in Australia: Upgrading for the NBN

Why ADSL No Longer Exists and What Has Replaced It

If you are looking for information on ADSL broadband, you may have found that it is no longer available in Australia. The technology that powered the nation's internet for decades is now officially obsolete. This guide explains why ADSL has been phased out, what has replaced it, and what equipment you need for a modern broadband connection.

Page Index

What Was ADSL?

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) was a broadband technology that delivered an internet connection over the same copper wire network as your traditional telephone landline, known as the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). It was a major step forward from dial-up, offering an always-on connection that did not tie up your phone line and delivered download speeds typically between 1.5Mbps and 24Mbps depending on the distance from the telephone exchange.

ADSL2+ was the later generation, delivering theoretical download speeds of up to 24Mbps, though real-world speeds varied significantly with the length and quality of the copper line between your premises and the local exchange. Properties more than 4-5km from an exchange often received speeds well below 10Mbps.

At its peak, ADSL was the dominant broadband technology in Australia, serving millions of homes and businesses. That era is now over.

Why ADSL is Now Obsolete

The primary reason for the end of ADSL is the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout. As NBN infrastructure was installed in each area, Telstra (which owned the copper network ADSL ran on) decommissioned the copper lines as required under its agreement with the Australian Government.

Once the copper is decommissioned in an area, ADSL simply cannot function. There is no copper network left for it to run on. As of 2025, this transition is complete across virtually all of Australia. ADSL services are no longer available anywhere the NBN has been rolled out, which now covers the overwhelming majority of Australian premises.

For properties not yet served by the NBN (primarily very remote locations), alternative technologies such as fixed wireless, Sky Muster satellite, or Starlink are typically the available options rather than ADSL.

Understanding Your NBN Connection Type

The NBN replaced the old copper network using a mix of technologies depending on the location. The connection type you have determines which equipment is installed at your premises and what ports it provides.

Connection Type How It Works Equipment at Premises
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) Fibre optic cable runs directly to the building NBN Connection Box (NCD) installed inside the building with Ethernet and phone ports
FTTN (Fibre to the Node) Fibre to a street cabinet, then copper to the building Uses the existing copper phone socket. Your RSP modem must support VDSL2.
FTTC (Fibre to the Curb) Fibre to a pit in the street, short copper run to building Distribution Connection Device (DCD) in the street pit. Ethernet port inside the building.
HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial) Uses the existing cable TV coaxial network NBN Connection Box installed at the cable TV wall outlet with Ethernet and phone ports
Fixed Wireless Radio signal from a nearby tower to an outdoor antenna Outdoor antenna and indoor receiver box with Ethernet port

You can check your NBN connection type at nbn.com.au using your address. Your RSP (internet provider) can also confirm this.

What Equipment You Need

1. An NBN-compatible modem/router

Your old ADSL modem will not work on the NBN regardless of connection type. ADSL modems use a different physical interface and signal protocol to NBN services. You need a modem/router that matches your NBN connection type:

  • FTTN and FTTC: Requires a VDSL2-capable modem/router.
  • FTTP, HFC, Fixed Wireless: Requires a modem/router with a WAN Ethernet port (the NBN connection box provides an Ethernet handoff).

Many RSPs supply a compatible modem/router as part of their NBN service. If you are using your own equipment, confirm compatibility with your RSP before purchasing.

2. High-quality Ethernet cables for internal connections

To get the full benefit of your NBN speeds for wired devices (computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, NAS devices), you need Cat6 or better Ethernet cable. Old Cat5 cable has lower performance headroom and may create a bottleneck on fast NBN plans. For any new installation or cable run inside a building, Cat6 is the minimum recommended specification.

3. A telephone handset if you want a landline

Your existing telephone handset can still be used on the NBN, but it connects differently. Rather than plugging into a wall telephone socket, it now connects to the phone port on your NBN modem or the phone port on the NBN connection box (FTTP and HFC). The phone port on the NBN delivers a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone service.

If you have multiple phones in your home or business connected to internal telephone wiring, you may need an adaptor or a separate ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) to route the VoIP service through your existing internal phone wiring. Access Communications stocks a full range of RJ11 and RJ12 adaptors and telephone accessories for this purpose.

What Happens to Your Phone Service

The NBN uses VoIP for telephone services. Your voice calls travel over the internet connection rather than a dedicated copper circuit. This means:

  • Your telephone number is typically retained when you switch to NBN.
  • Your phone now depends on your internet connection and power being available. If the NBN goes down or there is a power outage, your landline phone will also stop working (unless you have a UPS or battery backup).
  • The old telephone wall sockets throughout your building are no longer connected to an active telephone service from the exchange. They can only be used if you route the NBN VoIP service through internal wiring via the modem's phone port or an ATA.
  • Emergency calls (000) from an NBN VoIP service are supported, but call location data may be less accurate than it was on the old copper network. Mobile phones are recommended as the primary emergency contact method.

Cabling for NBN Installations

NBN installations often require new internal cabling, particularly for FTTP and HFC connections where the NBN connection box may be installed in a location that requires a cable run to the main router position.

Cat6 is the recommended cable for all new NBN-related Ethernet runs. For any run longer than 10 metres inside a wall or ceiling space, use solid core Cat6 rather than stranded patch cable. Solid core cable has better attenuation characteristics over length and is designed for permanent installation.

For properties with existing Cat5e infrastructure, Cat5e supports Gigabit Ethernet and is compatible with all current NBN speed tiers. Replacement is only necessary if the existing cable is damaged, poorly terminated, or failing continuity tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ADSL still available anywhere in Australia?

No. As of 2025, ADSL services have been shut down across Australia as part of the NBN rollout and copper network decommissioning. If you are in a very remote area not yet served by the NBN, the available options are fixed wireless, Sky Muster satellite, or commercial satellite services such as Starlink.

Can I use my old ADSL router on the NBN?

No. ADSL routers use a different physical interface that is incompatible with NBN connections. For FTTN and FTTC you need a VDSL2 modem. For FTTP, HFC, and Fixed Wireless you need a modem/router with a WAN Ethernet port. Your RSP can advise which equipment is compatible with your service.

Will my internet speeds be faster on NBN than ADSL?

In most cases yes, particularly for premises that were far from their telephone exchange on ADSL. FTTP connections can support speeds up to 1000Mbps download. The speed tier you subscribe to with your RSP determines your maximum speed.

What happens to my phone number when I switch to NBN?

Your telephone number is typically retained when you switch to NBN. Your voice service moves to VoIP, delivered through your NBN modem's phone port. The call quality is generally equivalent to the old copper network for standard calls.

Will my phone still work during a power outage on NBN?

No, unlike the old copper network which carried its own power, NBN requires your modem to be powered from the mains. If power goes out, your NBN internet and phone service will stop working unless you have a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) keeping your modem running. Mobile phones are recommended as the primary emergency contact method.

My alarm system was connected to the old phone line. Will it work on NBN?

Possibly, but it requires checking. Some older alarm communicators are not compatible with NBN VoIP signalling. Contact your alarm installer or monitoring company to verify your system's current communication path and whether a communicator upgrade is required.

What Ethernet cable do I need for NBN?

Cat6 is the recommended minimum for any new cable run. Existing Cat5e infrastructure is compatible with all current NBN speed tiers and only needs replacement if it is damaged or failing tests. See our network cable range for compliant pure copper options.

Your Project, Perfected. That's The Access Advantage.

No. As of 2025, ADSL services have been shut down across Australia as part of the NBN rollout and copper network decommissioning. If you are in a very remote area not yet served by the NBN, the available options are fixed wireless, Sky Muster satellite, or commercial satellite services such as Starlink. ADSL is not an option in any location.

Can I use my old ADSL router on the NBN?

No. ADSL routers use a different physical interface (ADSL2+ over copper) that is incompatible with NBN connections. For FTTN and FTTC you need a VDSL2 modem. For FTTP, HFC, and Fixed Wireless you need a modem/router with a WAN Ethernet port. Your RSP can advise which equipment is compatible with your service.

Will my speeds be faster on the NBN than ADSL?

In most cases yes, particularly for premises that were far from their telephone exchange on ADSL. FTTP connections can support speeds up to 1000Mbps download. FTTN and FTTC speeds depend on the copper run distance but are generally significantly faster than ADSL2+. The speed tier you subscribe to with your RSP determines your maximum speed.

What do I do if the NBN is not available at my address?

Check your address at nbn.com.au for the latest rollout status. For addresses not yet covered, contact an RSP about fixed wireless or satellite broadband alternatives. Starlink low-earth orbit satellite is now widely available in Australia and offers significantly better performance than the NBN's Sky Muster satellite service in remote areas.

My alarm system used the old phone line. Will it still work?

Possibly, but it requires checking. Alarm communicators that used the PSTN copper line may need to be reconfigured to use the NBN VoIP phone service, or replaced with an IP or 4G communicator. The NBN VoIP service is not identical to the old PSTN in terms of signalling, and some older alarm communicators are not compatible. Contact your alarm installer or monitoring company to verify your system's current communication path.

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