How Strata Managers Can Help Bring Full Fibre to the Buildings You Manage

As a Strata Manager, you’re no stranger to the role fast, reliable internet plays in modern living – whether it’s for work-from home professionals, streaming households, or smart home devices. With around 20 million daily users of the nbn® network and over 2 million apartments and townhouses already connected to the nbn® network and there’s now a unique opportunity to take connectivity in the buildings you manage to the next level.

Since completing the initial nbn network build in 2020, nbn has been hard at work upgrading the network to boost capacity, speed and reliability while ensuring that all Australians can reap the economic and social benefits of fast broadband, today and in the future. One of the biggest changes is rolling out nbn full fibre all the way to individual apartments, townhouses or units.

Why is this a big deal?

Fibre delivers a better broadband experience – think neargigabit speeds^, and minimal interruptions during video conferencing and streaming 4K videos. With data usage per household already having grown 10-fold in the past decade and expected to double again in the next 8 years, full fibre is key to keeping up with future data demands.

Your role in the gull fibre upgrade

Many older buildings still use copper-based connections (like Fibre to the Node or Fibre to the Curb). These legacy technologies can be upgraded through the nbn® Full Fibre Upgrade for Complex Multi-Dwelling Properties program – and strata managers play a crucial role.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Step 1: Check eligibility

Visit nbn.com.au/UpgradeYourBuilding and enter the address of an individual unit in your building. This will let you know if your site is eligible.

Step 2: Cost and commitment

The upgrade costs $275 per unit (and common area services)^^ (GST inclusive). For example, a 100-unit building would total $27,500. Importantly, the whole building must opt in*, and a formal agreement between the Owners’ Committee and nbn is required.

Step 3: Planning & installation

Once the agreement is in place, nbn’s construction partner will arrange a site visit to inspect infrastructure and access points. An installation plan tailored to your building is usually delivered within 2–6 weeks.

Step 4: Construction & go-live

The build itself can take a few months depending on the complexity of the site. Once complete, nbn will notify your nominated building representative, and residents can then order a fibre plan from their chosen phone and internet provider.

Throughout this process, the authorised representative from the Owners’ Committee plays a key role in ensuring smooth communication between nbn, contractors, and residents.

Trial for nbn Fibre to the Basement (FTTB) buildings

Do you manage a larger building (60+ units) with FTTB technology? From 1 July 2025, nbn is trialling fibre upgrades for selected FTTB buildings. To express interest, email: FTTB_trial@nbnco.com.au. An nbn team member will follow up to confirm if your building is eligible to participate in the trial.

Whether you’re managing boutique apartment blocks or larger complexes, this is your chance to make your buildings future fit and deliver a faster, more reliable digital experience for residents^.

Questions or want to check your building? Head to nbn.com.au/UpgradeYourBuilding and get started.

^Your experience on FTTP, including the speeds actually achieved, depends on the configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like your equipment quality, software, chosen broadband plan, or how your provider designs its network). Business nbn FTTP services are provided over our TC-4 nbn Ethernet TC-4 services. Additional charges may apply if you take up optional extras like Business Services. Regardless of the retail service you purchase, actual wholesale download speeds delivered to providers will be less than 1Gbps due to equipment and network limitations.

^^In some exceptional cases, nbn may determine that an upgrade is unfeasible due to factors including (but not limited to) excessive build complexity, infrastructure limitations, or environmental factors. Where an upgrade is deemed unfeasible, nbn will terminate the build. If that occurs then; no charges will be payable; and nbn will remediate any works already commenced to the building’s original condition.

**Approval requirements for building-wide nbn upgrades may vary between states and territories. In most regions, a special resolution at a general meeting is required. We recommend checking with your strata manager for the specific requirements in your area.