Coexistence on FTTN and FTTB NBN connections

What is Coexistence?

If you have a Fibre To The Node (FTTN) or Fibre To The Basement/Building (FTTB) NBN connection and have found it to have poor speeds during a fault investigation this could be referred to as coexistence.

Coexistence means that there is still ‘cross-talk’ or interference from the older (legacy) ADSL and voice services still using the copper network in your area.

Coexistence can affect your service speed. The effect can be different from area to area.

Where some users may not notice it at all, others may get speeds as low as the 12 Mbps tier. It is claimed that speeds around the 25 tier are mostly possible, just not guaranteed by NBNCo.

The good news is this won’t last forever, though it may feel like it.

Approximately 18 months after the NBN is switched on in an area this is claimed to no longer be a problem as the older ‘legacy services’ are decommissioned at the exchange by the end of this 18 month time frame.

Coexistence is a limitation on the copper network imposed by the NBNCo itself. Unfortunately it is not something the internet providers have any control over. It is there to allow the old and new services to work together until all the older services are decommissioned.

So unfortunately no matter how hard you push your provider, or even make a complaint with the TIO, if your FTTN area is limited by coexistence there is nothing you can do until the old legacy services are completely shut down by NBNCo. and the limitation on the network released.

We recommend the 25/5 speed tier for anyone experiencing coexistence, as a higher speed tier won’t be of any benefit.