NBN Speed Upgrades in 2026 – What You Need to Know
NBN News
Australia's NBN is undergoing its biggest speed shake‑up in years - and 2026 is the year many households automatically inherit faster internet without paying more. The upgrades centre on new wholesale speed tiers, major fibre investment, and clearer regulation from the ACCC. For VirtualCity customers - especially those using Trusttel mobile and NBN services — this shift creates a perfect moment to reassess plans, boost performance, and take advantage of new bundled value.
The Big Picture: What Actually Changed in 2026
NBN Co has upgraded several wholesale speed tiers, with the largest boosts going to homes connected via FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) or HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial). These upgrades are already flowing through to retail providers, meaning many Australians are seeing faster speeds without changing their plan or paying extra.
Upgraded Wholesale Speed Tiers
- Home Fast II: from 100/20 Mbps → 500/50 Mbps (FTTP/HFC)
compareus.com - Home Superfast: from 250/25 Mbps → 750/50 Mbps (FTTP/HFC)
compareus.com - Home Ultrafast: now 1000/100 Mbps (FTTP/HFC)
compareus.com - Home Hyperfast: new 2000 Mbps tier (2000/100 Mbps on HFC, 2000/200 Mbps on FTTP)
CHOICE
These upgrades are wholesale changes — meaning NBN Co has increased the speeds available to providers, and many providers have already passed these improvements on automatically.
Who Automatically Inherits the New Speed?
Automatic upgrades depend on two factors:
- Your NBN Technology Type
You automatically inherit the new speeds if your premises is connected via:- FTTP
- HFC
These technologies support the new higher-speed tiers and are the main beneficiaries of the 2026 upgrades.compareus.com
Homes on FTTN, FTTC, FTTB, Fixed Wireless, or Satellite generally do not receive automatic speed boosts.
- Your Existing Plan Tier
You automatically inherit faster speeds if you're already paying for one of the upgraded wholesale tiers - for example:- 100/20
- 250/25
- 1000/50
Homes on FTTN, FTTC, FTTB, Fixed Wireless, or Satellite generally do not receive automatic speed boosts.
CHOICE
Does Spending Automatically Trigger Faster Speeds?
Yes — but only if you’re already paying for a plan that maps to one of the upgraded wholesale tiers.
If you're paying for a "fast" plan, you inherit the new speeds automatically.
For example:
- Paying for a 100/20 plan? You may now receive 500/50.
- Paying for a 250/25 plan? You may now receive 750/50.
- Paying for a gigabit plan? You may now receive 1000/100.
This is because NBN Co released these upgrades at no extra wholesale cost, and many providers have passed them on automatically. CHOICE
If you’re paying for a slower plan, you stay at your current speed.
To inherit the new speeds, you must upgrade to a plan that sits in one of the boosted tiers.
Why Your Speed Might Still Feel Slow
Even with the automatic upgrades, performance can still be limited by:
- Old routers that can't handle high throughput
- Devices stuck on 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi
- Poor router placement or thick walls
- Old Ethernet cables
- Congested in-home Wi‑Fi
- A plan that hasn't been updated by your provider yet
compareus.com
VirtualCity's in‑store and on‑site technicians can diagnose these issues quickly — especially for Nowra households upgrading to higher-speed tiers.
Regulatory Changes Supporting the Upgrades
From 1 July 2026, the ACCC’s updated regulatory settings and NBN’s wholesale price adjustments support continued investment in faster fibre and improved service standards. Wholesale price changes remain modest (between $0 and $2.34 per month depending on tier), keeping faster plans accessible. nbn
These regulatory updates ensure:
- More reliable service delivery
- Better consumer protections
- Sustainable long-term fibre investment
ACCC
What This Means for VirtualCity Customers
VirtualCity's partnership with Trusttel positions Nowra households and businesses to take full advantage of the 2026 NBN upgrades.
- Faster NBN Plans Through Trusttel
Trusttel's NBN offerings align with the new wholesale tiers, meaning VirtualCity customers can:- Automatically inherit faster speeds if already on eligible plans
- Upgrade to new 500 Mbps, 750 Mbps, 1000 Mbps, or 2000 Mbps tiers
- Bundle mobile + NBN services for better value
- Local Support for Fibre Upgrades
VirtualCity provides:
Trusttel's NBN offerings align with the new wholesale tiers, meaning VirtualCity customers can:- On-site assessments to confirm FTTP/HFC eligibility
- Router upgrades and Wi‑Fi optimisation
- Guidance on choosing the right Trusttel plan
- Business-grade solutions for VirtualCity's commercial clients
- Seamless Integration With Your Existing Services
For customers already using VirtualCity for PC/Mac repairs, smart device setup, or business IT support, upgrading your NBN plan through Trusttel keeps everything under one roof — with local support you know and trust.
Should You Upgrade?
If your household:
- Streams 4K video
- Works from home
- Uses cloud backup
- Has multiple smart devices
- Plays online games
- Runs a small business
…then upgrading to one of the newly boosted tiers may deliver five times the speed at similar monthly cost. CHOICE
VirtualCity can help you compare plans, test your current speeds, and ensure your equipment can handle the new bandwidth.
Final Takeaway
2026 is the year faster NBN becomes the new normal - and many Australians are already benefiting without paying more.
If you're on FTTP or HFC and paying for a fast plan, you likely already inherited the new speeds. If not, upgrading may unlock massive performance gains.
With VirtualCity and Trusttel working together, Nowra residents have a local, reliable pathway to make the most of these national upgrades - with expert guidance, better value, and faster internet ready to go.