HFC and cable internet connections are similar in that they both use coaxial cables for the final connection to your home. However, there are key differences:
Infrastructure ownership: HFC NBN is owned and maintained by the National Broadband Network in Australia, whereas cable internet is provided by private companies.
Technology: HFC NBN uses a combination of fibre optic cables and coaxial cables, while traditional cable internet relies solely on coaxial cables.
Speed and capacity: HFC NBN has the potential to offer higher speeds, especially during peak times, due to its upgraded infrastructure. Traditional cable internet speeds, while still much faster than ADSL plans, cap out at around 100Mbps.
Availability: HFC NBN is more widely available in Australia as part of the NBN rollout, while cable internet is only available through one provider (as of September 2023) and in areas where the NBN is yet to be rolled out.