NBN uploads get a free lift of up to 15 per cent, and you may need to reboot to get it
NBN Co has raised the upload overhead allowance. FTTP and HFC gain the most, and Fixed Wireless allowances rise further.
NBN Co has increased the overhead allowance on upload speeds, which means it is provisioning a little more than the plan’s headline figure. The change arrived in mid-October.
The gain depends on your connection, using figures WhistleOut published from provider Leaptel:
| Technology | Plans | Upload allowance |
|---|---|---|
| FTTP and HFC | 25/10 and up | 15% |
| FTTC | 25/10, 50/20, 100/20 | 15% |
| FTTC | 100/40 | 7% |
| FTTN and FTTB | 25/10 to 100/40 | 4% |
| Fixed Wireless | 100/20 and up | 50% |
Satellite services are not expected to change.
What to do
You will probably need to restart your router, and possibly your NBN connection box, for the new speeds to apply. WhistleOut suggests leaving the equipment off for about 30 seconds.
What it means
This helps plans reach their intended upload speed. It does not change how uploads perform across the network. WhistleOut notes that 50/20 plans have often reported around 17 Mbps.
NBN Co’s own research, as reported by WhistleOut, found that 62 per cent of fixed-line customers do not understand why upload speed matters and 44 per cent do not know what upload speed their plan provides.