The National Broadcasting Network connections come in different forms. While all guarantee high-speed internet connections, the infrastructure, and the connection type vary. The Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) is a standard NBN connection that has been available for quite some time among various providers including award-winning ISP, SpinTel.
HFC is a particular type of NBN connection that makes use of pay TV or cable networks to beam internet connections to households. While most people might ask, is HFC fiber or cable? It is both, as it relies on fibre and cable networks enabling NBN network connection. The connection works best in households that have previously enjoyed cable internet connections.
NBN HFC connection finds excellent use where an existing pay TV or cable network can be used to convey an internet connection rather than relying on copper telephone cabling. Consequently, an HFC line will run from a fibre node in the neighborhood to the premise from where the cable network will pick the connection into the house.
While the HFC connections rely on existing pay TV or cable connections, there must be an HFC line running from the nearest fibre node to the premises. For new connections, the NBN company is to supply the NBN utility box with internet in the house as part of the HFC network design. Consequently, ducting and drilling might be part of the installation process.
Additionally, an NBN-ready modem is a requirement to connect the NBN connection box through the Ethernet cable. It is common practice for providers such as SpinTel to offer the HFC modem.
A device must be installed where the HFC cable enters the home for the HFC connection to work. The NBN connection box is installed inside the house, plugged into a coaxial outlet on the wall, and acts as the modem.
One of the key HFC network components is a network device or HFC modem installed at the point where the HFC line enters the house. The modem is the device that connects the house to the internet from the NBN utility box installed when the NBN network is being built.
If you have a cable or pay TV connection, the network provider, such as SpinTel, must provide the HFC modem for the HFC connection to be complete. The modem goes a long way in ensuring proper NBN connection.
Additionally, you will need a compatible router with a WAN port capable of plugging into the NBN HFC network device. In most cases, an existing router or modem can enable the connection.
Finally, you will need to connect a wireless router from the NBN Connection Box using an Ethernet cable to connect all the devices in the household.
Unlike Fibre To The Curb (FTTC) or Fiber to the Node (FTTN), HFC is relatively fast as it does not rely on copper wires for connections. For instance, SpinTel guarantees congestion-free high-speed HFC NBN connections with high internet speeds during peak highs.
Usually, customers are assured 86% of the maximum plan speed during peak hours with most HFC connections. On the other hand, FTTN only guarantees approximately 78% of the top plan speed. Therefore, the NBN speeds often depend on the NBN plan and the provider.
NBN HFC can offer residential speeds of up to 1000Mbps on download and 50Mbps on upload, depending on several factors. Moreover, speed can be even higher and stable when beamed by a reliable provider such as SpinTel.
The speeds depend on the area's existing HFC network and the house's networking equipment. How far you are from the fibre node also influences the internet speeds you get with HFC connections.
NBN HFC connection is by no means harmful to humans. On the contrary, just like any wired connection for the beaming internet and electricity, among other services, it offers an ideal way of uploading and downloading content on the internet and browsing.
However, during the initial phase of its rollout early last year, the HFC network was the subject of increased complaints about speed and performance-related faults. However, the company responsible for the NBN connections and cable companies have sorted out the issues.
While HFC connection is not as good or reliable as fibre to the premises connections (FTTP), it is affordable and better than FTTN and FTTC. Nevertheless, depending on the provider, such as SpinTel, HFC can provide internet speeds similar to FTTP, considered a superior NBN connection.
A study by ACCC has already shown that HFC connections perform almost at the same length as FTTP connections. Some HFC premises can enjoy superfast NBN speeds of up to 248Mbps during peak hours, with some accessing the ultrafast typical evening speeds of 600Mbps.
Additionally, HFC NBN connections tend to be affordable compared to FTTP connections. While most HFC connections can generate up to 1000Mbps download speeds, plans start from as little as $40 a month, depending on the provider.
The NBN 50 plan is already proving to be a preferred HFC NBN plan for the majority as it is significantly faster than the ADSL connection. An unlimited NBN data plan can cost between $40 and $50 per month for basic speed tiers. However, anyone looking to enjoy fast internet speeds with HFC cable plans should be ready to part ways with highs of $70 per month.
HFC is emerging as a preferred connection type for NBN plans, especially in areas that have previously enjoyed cable internet. While not all providers deliver HFC connections, SpinTel is a trusted partner for anyone looking to enjoy congestion-free NBN connections over HFC connections. Its plans are affordable and reliable, with stable internet speeds during peak hours. HFC connections can achieve high internet speeds of 100Mbps downloads and 40Mbps uploads during peak hours, falling under the Premium Evening Speed tier.
