Much of Australia’s internet is delivered via the National Broadband Network (NBN). One of the most common technologies rolled out by NBN is Fibre to the Node (FTTN), which reuses the old copper voice network.

While FTTN isn’t the most advanced technology, when installed correctly, with no line faults and located close to an NBN node (those big green boxes on the street), it can deliver fast speeds—up to 100 Mbps—which is more than enough for most households.

One key factor that can affect FTTN performance is the presence of bridge taps. These are unterminated cable extensions that cause signal interference, reducing speed and stability. In simple terms, if your home has more than one telephone socket, you likely have a bridge tap. Many homes built before mobile phones became common have multiple sockets—kitchen, bedrooms, living rooms—and sometimes even hidden cabling left behind during renovations.

If you’re a SIMTEL NBN customer, you can check for line issues using our Customer Portal. Or simply contact us via email or Facebook—we can run remote tests for you.

It’s also worth noting that faults aren’t always inside your home; they can occur in the street. In these cases, we’ll raise the issue with NBN and arrange a technician visit on your behalf. We’ve successfully managed this process for many customers, improving their internet performance.

Not a SIMTEL customer yet but suspect something’s wrong? Get in touch! We’ll discuss your concerns and recommend the best solutions to get you connected and running smoothly.

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