The NBN™- all you need to know!
How much do you know about the NBN™?
We’ve been working with the internet since the dialup days and our experience has shaped us into the NBN™ experts. From common misconceptions and questions to trivia about NBN™ infrastructure, technologies and the rollout in general, we’ve got everything you need to know right here.
1. How many technology types are there in the NBN™ Multi-Technology Mix?
There are a total of seven different technologies being delivered by the NBN™ Multi-Technology Mix: FTTP, FTTN, FTTB, FTTC, HFC, Fixed Wireless, and Satellite. iiNet is the only major ISP selling plans across all technologies so no matter where you are, we have an NBN™ plan for you!
For more information on how to understand your NBN™ status and the technology types that are available, head here.
2. When was the first connection to the NBN™ completed?
In 2011, addresses in Tasmanian towns Scottsdale, Smithton and Midway Point were among the first in the country to complete the transition to the NBN™.
3. Will the switch to the NBN™ only affect your internet connection?
Your phone services can also be affected by the NBN™ rollout. When the NBN™ comes to your area, it will eventually replace most existing fixed line phone and internet networks, meaning you’ll need to switch over if you want to keep using these services. You should receive letters from your phone and broadband service providers as well as from NBN Co warning about the disconnection well before it happens, so you won’t be cut off out of the blue. You can find out more about this here.
4. If I have slow ADSL speeds will I have slow FTTN NBN™ speeds?
The Node that your premises connect to for NBN ™ in your area may be much closer than you expect! This means that there’s less distance for your connection to travel and you should receive quicker connection speeds.
5. Why is Fibre-to-the-Curb spelt with a ‘C’ and not a ‘K’?
NBN™ FTTC stands for Fibre-to-the-Curb and uses the US spelling of “Curb” instead of the Australian spelling of “Kerb”, as FTTC is already a globally-understood acronym with its own definition.
6. Can I just ignore the NBN™ and continue using my current internet connection?
No, you will not be able to continue using your current internet connection indefinitely. The NBN™ will be the national standard for broadband and phone communications. The legacy copper network and Telstra cable network used for most non-NBN™ internet services will be disconnected approximately 18 months after your premises becomes ready to connect to the NBN™, so you’ll need to ensure you make the switch before this period ends. Keep an eye on your letterbox for any notices from your phone and internet providers, as well as NBN Co, that your services will be disconnected soon. Once you get one of those, it’s really time to get a move on and upgrade to the NBN™ so you don’t get stuck without a connection!
There are a few exceptions to this rule in areas serviced by future-ready broadband networks. For example, if you’re in our ULTRA Broadband VDLS2, Cable and FTTB network areas, you can upgrade to connect to one of these technologies instead of the NBN™ and reap the benefits of superfast speeds at amazing prices.
7. Is it possible to switch to an alternative technology?
For those on NBN™ Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC), you’re currently unable to change the type of technology your premises is connected on. The ability to change technologies is currently under development for HFC areas, so stay tuned. However, for all other technologies, the Technology Choice Program is available to eligible groups of premises or individual premises to switch to an alternative NBN™ technology. Keep in mind this is an expensive process and will include an application fee of $330 before work can even commence. You can find out more about this here.
8. How do customers connect to NBN™ Sky Muster™ Satellites?
Each Sky Muster™ Satellite shoots 101 “spot beams” across Australia. Each customer is allocated to the beam that covers their area, however overlaps mean that some customers may fall under more than one beam. NBN Co allocates them to one beam from one of the two satellites, depending on what is best for sharing the load across the entire network.
A satellite dish at your premises points to the SkyMuster satellite in orbit. It then communicates with a large ground-station satellite (which connects to the www) and returns data back via this path to your satellite dish and in turn your modem and devices.
9. How long did the NBN™ Sky Muster™ Satellites take to build?
NBN™ Sky Muster™ Satellites weigh about 6,400 kilograms each, making them among the largest commercial satellites ever launched.
NBN™ Sky Muster™ Satellites were custom built and took around three years to build including extreme temperature testing to ensure they are ready for the environment in space.
10. What does the NBN™ mean for rural students?
The NBN™ means that rural schools and students have reliable internet connections to allow remote learning and e-learning opportunities for those in remote areas.
11. Does the NBN™ technician decide where my equipment is installed?
Depending on the technology and the facilities available at your address, the equipment you’ll need for the NBN™ may differ. Where new equipment or physical connection work is required, you’ll be able to discuss your options with the technician. It’s important to understand that you’re allowed to discuss alternative options for installation and do not have to accept the recommended installation points suggested by the technician. You can find out more about this here or check out our article Building a home and looking to get NBN™ and NBNCo’s technology guide for some tips on installing the NBN™ Utility Box and NBN™ Connection Box in your home.
12. Does it cost thousands of dollars to install the NBN™ at your house?
The first standard installation of NBN™ equipment is free of charge, however there may be activation or modem purchase fees from your internet service provider. All you need to do is purchase a compatible modem. The good news is iiNet waive these fees on a 24 month contract! You won’t need to carry out any other rewiring around your house unless you specifically want hard-wired access in certain places around your home. If you’re included in a new development area, keep in mind that a $300 New Development Fee applies.
13. Will I need to make an appointment and be home to get the NBN™ connected at my address?
This one depends on the type of technology and infrastructure at your premises, however most technologies will require an appointment if the NBN™ has never been connected before. If your premises has previously had an NBN™ connection, an appointment is typically not required.
If your property will be connected to Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), some connections can be completed via self-install and some Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connections can be done at the exchange so you may not be required at the premises. You can find out more about this here.
14. How many more people are expected to work from home by the end of the rollout?
By the end of the rollout in 2021, up to 47,300 additional people are expected to use the network to work from home, compared to around 3,000 additional workers last year. The rollout of the NBN™ is also expected to contribute to the creation of up to 80,000 new businesses by 2021.
If you’re eager to get movin’ and your address is expected to be NBN™- ready within the next six months, you can pre-order iiNet NBN™ for a hassle-free switch and we’ll get your order rolling as soon as NBN™ reaches your door. Just pre-order your preferred plan now, then sit back, put your feet up and relax knowing you’ll be connected with a truly satisfying NBN™ provider.
42 comments
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Correct, Carson. There are cheaper solutions like wirelessly to alarm and it pays to shop around.
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I had slow ADSL speeds, because we were one of the furthest streets from the exchange, so I was happy to get NBN FTTN but alas this is slower than the ADSL, just about everything has been tested, IINET taking control of my modem, new modem, NBN tech’s out many times, but still hopeless.
Roll on 5G. -
June 2019 in an eastern suburb of Melbourne ( population close to 5 million ) and we are still waiting, waiting, waiting…..
just pathetic ! -
My elderly neighbour has a landline only with one phone in her kitchen and a medi alert phone in her bedroom and a button pendant she wears around her neck. She doesn’t want internet. What should she do? The area is Telegraph Point where only wireless access to NBN is available.
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I am a Pensioner and have very little use of my standard desk top computer at present I am with DODO for telephone and TPG for internet.
Is it possible to have a package deal to cover both through NBN and will it be cheaper??
Russell -
Hi Do you already have NBN for 1155-1159 Pacific Hwy Pymble?
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I recently moved from Fitzroy where I had ADSL to Carlton North where I have NBN FTTP. I found that the speed and reliability of the NBN connection was far inferior to the ADSL. I thought the NB was supposed to be better!
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I presume I am connected to the nbn although I haven’t noticed any difference other than the fact my landline phone is connected to my modem and not to the junction where it was previously.
Also, i is cannot understand how my copper wire connection is made. It doesn’t seem to be my old copper wire which notoriously failed whenever there was any reasonable downfall of rain.
Finally, is it necessary to retain the landline to connect to the internet.
These are questions. Have had for some time but the pprtunity hasn’t been there to get a meaningful answer. -
All I want to know at this stage is when I can connect to the NBNN
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I am deaf and use a TTY alone and also through the National Relay Service. How will the NBN affect me? I know that there is a way of using the Internet instead but I would not be able to speak with VOICE carryover, (VCO) on the Internet.
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I have been asking iiNet why i cannot use NBN100 and have not been satisfied by your supposedly great customer service or the change to the NBN 100 with little change in speed. iiNet says it is NBN Co and to do with the FTTN technology at my address but NBN Co points me back to iiNet. Will or when can i expect to be able to connect to a NBN 100 plan with decent throughput?
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I am to be connected to the NBN soon (HFC). I had to have additional cabling installed up my driveway due to its excessive length. I am worried about stability of connection and speed issues given the distance involved. Nearly everyone in my street has had NBN problems (one lasting two years) and they all have had standard installations. As I work from home 24/7 and cannot work without the internet, I am very concerned about this impending connection.
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Will my cordless phone system at home inter connect with my proposed HFC connection —the base station is currently connected by hardwire copper connection on upper level + HFC connection will be on lower level
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What happens if NBN doesn’t recognise your address exists? I live in a block of units where there are over 60 units. According to the rollout map, my unit doesn’t exist?? Actually of the 60+ units, only about 3 exist (according to NBN). Does this mean wireless for internet & mobile phone will be my only option?
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Hi, in 2014 (we think) a company subcontracted to NBN Co place a FTTP for NBN on the outside of our property.
June 2018 we enquired with another provider about connecting the remaining infrastructure. We were told that our address is not setup for the FTTP NBN. After reviewing the NBN rollout map, we noticed are not visible. Although multiple apartments in our complex has NBN connected (infrastructure was put in at the same time by the same people as ours).
Can you please advise us on how we can accurately find out how to make our address visible or to finalise the connection?
Thank you -
Currently my ADSL2 latency (ping) is about 20 ms. My friend as just gotten NBN and his ping is 800 ms.
What should I expect on iinet NBN please? (I am a gamer and ping must be <30ms). -
Hi I have received my iinet NBN modem. At this time the NBN has not been applied to our house. Can I install the modem now or do I wait until I am advised by iinet.
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NBN is a TOTAL SWINDLE as was and is the SOLAR SCHEME for you sheep to blindly follow…. Why would a educated person of knowledge change to the NBN by choice to be charged more for a lower rate product?
The NBN (said to be in our areas by iinet) 1. Is not as fast a connection as I have at present with ADSL broadband.
2. Is STATED to be FTTN, yet no-one can direct me to the Node…. as a FTTN connection is recommended to be within 200M of the premises (connection hub), this is DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE.
3. To have NBN installed as a Fibre optic system, one has to have actual fibre optics leading to and including ALL conducting lines to the Node, this is NOT THE CASE – as no fibre optic cabling has been installed anywhere near my property….
4. We have received by mail in the past few weeks a letter advising of NBN availability and possible “disconnection from the landline” etc. Yet still no answers to my queries… or the Node location near me.
5. If and when the NBN decide to “disconnect me from my existing services” then a legal challenge will be forthcoming for their failures.
If any intelligent person is actually employed by the now failing service of iinet, then do reply. As you have failed me as a customer in the past 5 years of 11 years as a customer.
Jim -
Our internet is very slow, sometimes totally off, other times busy on the bank and it just goes off. What is going on? I just had a call from a private number, telling me, on automation, my nbn will be cut off in 48 hours, it asked me to press one, I have just put the phone down. Is this a scam?
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so far it’s been a nightmare. Been with iinet for 20 years plus, first with ozemail(dialup!!) then with adsl. Always been pretty good – no complaints. Since deciding to move to the NBN. NOTHING but trouble. First the NBN tech didn’t turn up and didn’t bother to phone and cancel. So waited in all day and NO SHOW. Then he did turn up 2 weeks later and connected me to NBN. Sales staff had previously confirmed that I would take my existing email addresses With me. NOT SO, Suddenly I start getting auto generated emails telling me I will be charged $25 Per year for my existing (previously free) emial adds. NOT HAPPY . have spent several hours on the phone to various accounts staff in Sth Africa who have confirmed in emails and on the phone that I am NOT to be charged for my email addresses. Imagine my surprise when I get an invoice from IINET telling me I will be charged for my email addresses. Despite having emails from their support staff confirming I won’t be charged. Just had another hour long (plus) phone call to their South Africa customer service department and once again got confirmation that no charges apply. WAIT AND SEE if this doesn’t work I am leaving iinet after 20 years and will advise everyone I can NOT to bother with IINET as an NBN provider. NONE of their departments seem to communicate with each other, they rely on auto generated emails to tell their customers what’s going on and when you get to talk to the support s6aff in South Africa it’s never the same person so you spend hours going over and over the same stuff again and again and STILL the problem is not resolved. Even sent the above ‘RANT’ to the iinet customer service survey but nothing has changed. MAYBE not a customer of IINET for much longer and then will advise everybody I know about the problems with IINET NBN.
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I was with iinet for a few years on adsl, but and this is no reflection on your service, it was to slow for what i needed it for.
Now i have NBn in my area, i am considering switching back to iinet. What is the best way to do this as im with Telstra at the moment
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We have NBN available in our area but were told by our security company that we must install a PermaConn unit that costs $330 which allows Alarm communicator using a 3G/4G Path. I think it is a bit unfair that we are forced to move over to the NBN and have to incur extra charges to make our Alarm compatible. If you have a back to base monitored alarm system, be ready to get hit with extra costs!