nbn® Fixed Wireless Fair Use Policy Enforcement FAQ
Published 31/10/2023
This Frequently Asked Questions document will explain how the nbn® Fixed Wireless Fair Use Policy
(the Policy) will apply to the Fixed Wireless services supplied to You by URL Networks
What is the Fixed Wireless Fair Use Policy?
The Policy has been in place since before 2015. The purpose of the Policy is to support the consistent
supply of the Fixed Wireless service to customers.
The Policy applies to all nbn Fixed Wireless Services nationwide, including Fixed Wireless services
provided through URL Networks.
You can access the Policy on nbnco.com.au by searching “Wireless Fair Use Policy”.
When will an Individual Service be considered to have breached the nbn® Fixed
Wireless Fair Use Policy?
The Policy can be breached when:
- Individual services are identified as Heavy Users (exceeds 500GB download or 120GB
upload over a calendar month); and - Heavy Users are using Intensive Applications during a Busy Period, impacting performance
for other customers on the network.
It is important to monitor Your usage to avoid breaching the Policy.
NBN Co Limited (NBN) has indicated that they may commence enforcing the Policy from the start of
2024, however NBN is already monitoring customer use of nbn Fixed Wireless Services which may
breach the Policy.
What happens if the Policy is breached?
If the Policy is breached:
- NBN will restrict the speed of the relevant nbn Fixed Wireless Service while that service
is using Intensive Applications and will continue to do so until such time that NBN determines
that usage of the relevant service is compliant with the Policy. URL Networks has no ability to remove
or otherwise influence this shaping; - You will receive a notification to confirm when one of the Fixed Wireless services acquired
by You from URL Networks has been restricted or unrestricted; - As per our Service Schedule, You are not entitled to financial compensation or “service credit”
in connection with a breach of the Policy; and - Severe or continual breaches of the Policy may result in the suspension or termination of the
relevant service by NBN.
Please note no application shaping will be implemented if the heavy use is not having an impact on
network performance.
What is an Intensive Application and what restriction is placed on it?
The activities in the table below are considered ‘Intensive Applications’ for the purposes of the Policy.
The table also outlines the service restrictions placed on each activity if the Policy is breached:
| Online Activity | Download Threshold Under Service Restriction* | Upload Threshold Under Service Restriction* |
|---|---|---|
| Video Streaming | 14 Mbps | N/A |
| P2P File Sharing | 1 Mbps | 1 Mbps |
| Software Downloads/Updates | 3 Mbps | N/A |
| Gaming Downloads/Updates | 5 Mbps | N/A |
* These thresholds are set at a network level by NBN. The speeds achieved will depend on the
bandwidth allocated to your premises, the number of concurrent users on the network at the time and
a range of other factors set out by NBN.
What is a Busy Period?
NBN defines a Busy Period as any period when their Fixed Wireless network usage goes over 70% of
its maximum capacity for downloads, or over 50% of its maximum capacity for uploads. Busy Periods
may occur at any time of the day, however they are more common in the evenings when more people
are using the Fixed Wireless network.
NTD Throughput Limits
| nbn Network | Downstream (Mbps) | Upstream (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | 1000 | 1000 |
| HFC | 1000 | 400 |
| Wireless |
56 for W-NTD version 1 75 for W-NTD version 2 98 for W-NTD version 3 |
18 for W-NTD version 1 20 for W-NTD version 2 25 for W-NTD version 3 |
| Satellite | 100 | 20 |
Please note: for Fixed Wireless, we can identify the W-NTD version of your location by completing a service qualification.
Home Ultrafast Speeds for HFC
Please note that the nbn Home Ultrafast plan on the HFC network is configured by nbn to have a Maximum Sustained Information Rate of 750 Mbps with the potential to burst up to a maximum of 970 Mbps (depending on but not limited to, the Frame Size and line speed capability) at potential burst durations between 1 to 50 seconds at least once a day.
This means Home Ultrafast on the HFC Network will operate at most times with a Peak Information Rate of between 500 to 750Mbps but with the potential to burst up to the Peak Information Rate of 970Mbps (depending on but not limited to, the Frame Size and line speed capability.
Please note that this means the speed you are able to achieve depends on a number of factors and can vary depending on your usage as well as during busy periods.
Definitions
Information Rate means the rate (in bits per second) of transfer of Layer 2 Ethernet service frames by the nbn™ Network measured over the series of bytes from the first bit of the destination MAC address through the last bit of the frame check sequence.
Maximum Sustained Information Rate The Maximum Sustained Information Rate is a best effort dimensioned capacity of Layer 2 Information Rate set by the traffic shaping functions of the nbn™ Network.
Disconnection if HFC NTD Moved
Please do not remove the HFC NTD from your property when you leave.
This device is/remains the property of nbn and needs to stay at the property where it was originally installed.
nbn warns that they may disconnect an nbn HFC server if they detect that the HFC NTD being used is from a different premise.
If the HFC NTD is missing when you move in, please let us know when you order your service and we can order a replacement.
