NBN’s “50 Gig” Experiment: Groundbreaking Innovation or Just a Reddit Prank?
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Brief Overview
- A Reddit entry purports a 50Gbps NBN test, but it is likely a fabrication.
- The supposed speed test reveals significant technical anomalies.
- NBN’s current top enterprise speed is capped at 10Gbps.
- Current residential offerings peak at 2Gbps for home connections.
- There are lab tests for 50G-PON, although they are not accessible to the public.
The Controversial Assertion: 50Gbps NBN Test
A message on the subreddit r/nbn has stirred interest, proposing a covert 50Gbps NBN Enterprise Ethernet trial. The poster, using the alias Future_Muffin_8248, shared a screenshot displaying an alleged 46,059 Mbps download speed utilizing an unpublished Nokia ONT and UniFi configuration. Upon investigation, this assertion seems questionable.
The Truth Check: Technical Warning Signs
1. The Asymmetry Dilemma
The reported speed test indicates a notable difference between download (~46,000 Mbps) and upload (~4,800 Mbps) speeds. NBN’s Enterprise Ethernet provides symmetrical speeds, which makes such a disparity a definite warning sign.
2. The Server Limitation
The speed assessment was performed on an Aussie Broadband server, currently capable of a maximum of 10Gbps for business clients. Public Speedtest servers typically operate at 10Gbps or 40Gbps, rendering the 46Gbps claim physically improbable.
3. Equipment Constraints
The assertion involves UniFi equipment, which is now optimized for up to 25Gbps. Attaining 50Gbps would necessitate specialized hardware not offered in the current market.
Current NBN Status (December 2025)
- Residential Multi-Gig: As of September 2025, NBN Co has launched a 2Gbps “Hyperfast” tier.
- Enterprise Maximums: The highest tier available for commercial use is 10Gbps.
- Next-Generation Equipment: New NTDs are being rolled out, capable of supporting up to 8Gbps.
The Conclusion: Fabrication
Although NBN Co has experimented with advanced 50G-PON and 100G-PON technologies, these experiments are not available for public or consumer application. The blend of asymmetrical speeds, server limitations, and non-compliant hardware strongly suggests that this assertion is a “Speedtest Spoof.” Remain alert, and be aware that unmatched upload and download speeds typically indicate a false claim.