Slow NBN speeds: modems partly to blame for poor performance

Copper wiring and fibre-to-the-node are not the only issues, some modems are just not up to the job, a new study has found

Poor NBN speeds are often blamed on the government's decision to scale back the fibre-to-the-premises roll out and switch to the cheaper fibre-to-the-node, but a study commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) proves part of the problem can lie closer to home.

Acma commissioned testing lab Enex to test run 43 modems on the market or sold by internet service providers when people sign up for the NBN on a fibre-to-the-node or fibre-to-the-building service. This means that at least for part of the connection, the legacy copper line is used in addition to the new fibre.