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.
44 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.-
Hi Ivor,
We can help with this as there must be a reason why the connection isn’t working as it should. Please get in touch with us directly, with your details to iiOnline@iinet.net.au and we’ll gladly take a look at this for you.
– Leo
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June 2019 in an eastern suburb of Melbourne ( population close to 5 million ) and we are still waiting, waiting, waiting…..
just pathetic !-
Hey Carlos,
We understand your frustration and impatience! The rollout is ongoing and we’d suggest that a look at the Coverage Map that we have here, might help:
https://www.iinet.net.au/internet-products/broadband/nbn/coverage/
– Leo
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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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Hi Sue,
This is a great question, so thanks for asking. I know the challenges here, knowing the area that you’ve mentioned, so its important to have the reassurance needed in these situations.
To be clear, we strongly suggest that your neighbor has her service with a provider that support Priority Assistance for voice services. We don’t offer this ourselves as we don’t have the ability to support it, but the incumbent must offer this. The reason we suggest this is that in the event of there being an issue with the line, having Priority Assistance will allow for the service to be restored in a much faster timeframe.
– Leo
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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-
It absolutely is possible, Russell!
It sounds like the Westnet Senior Card plan would be right for you. With 50Gb data along with local and national calls included for $39.99 a month, this would be worth a look. See more information in this, here:
https://www.westnet.com.au/internet-products/broadband/nbn/cust/seniorscard/
– Leo
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Hi Do you already have NBN for 1155-1159 Pacific Hwy Pymble?
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Hi Nataliia!
We’ve put your address into our NBN page, here:
https://www.iinet.net.au/internet-product/broadband/nbn/plans/fibre/
This shows that the rollout of NBN to your address has been delayed, by NBN themselves. This usually means that further construction needs to take place before your address will be ready for service.
– Leo
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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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Hi Mark,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! If you’re an iiNet customer, we can help, as your connection should be working much faster than this. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via iiOnline@iinet.net.au with your details and we’ll do whatever we can to set this right.
– Leo
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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.-
Hi John,
Thanks for asking your questions, we do appreciate you taking the time to do so!
For most customers who move to NBN from ADSL and that don’t notice a difference, the usual cause is that they’ve moved to an entry level NBN12 (12Mbps) speed tier. This is equivalent to the average speed of an ADSL2+ connection, so the experience when using the service is virtually identical as far as speed is concerned.
In your case, it sounds like you may have a Fibre To The Node connection. This uses the very same copper phone cable that you used previously for your old connection, however, the phone line no longer returns to the exchange. Instead, it terminates at a cabinet (known as a Node) near your premises. This is where your connection joins the NBN network and also suggests that the line issues you had previously were likely closer to the exchange. The landline will need to remain being used, however, you’re no longer paying line rental on it.
– Leo
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All I want to know at this stage is when I can connect to the NBNN
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Hey Jim!
Here’s how you can find out when NBN will be ready for you.
* Browse to: https://www.iinet.net.au/internet-products/broadband/nbn/coverage/
* Click on “Can I Get The NBN?” and enter your address.
* If you receive a negative result, click on “NBN Rollout Map” and enter your address in the window.This will then tell you when the NBN will be available to you (bear in mind that NBN does change their rollout schedule and dates that they quote are subject to change and estimates only).
– Leo
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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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Hi Edith,
Under the NBN, if you want to retain a phone service, it will need to switch to being a VoIP service (we call it Netphone). Most TTY services should work over VoIP but we don’t guarantee this, so its wise to check with your TTY hardware provider first.
– Leo
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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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Hi Stuart,
Great question and thank you for the comment. NBN Fibre to the node service’s attainable speeds are very much dependant upon the length of the copper cable to the note. While we can absolutely troubleshoot and fault a service that is performing below it’s expected speed, there will be a physical upper limit that the line can carry due to the length of the copper cabling. This will be advised on activation via an automatically raised email that will outline the physical upper limit of the line to your home. With the exception of moving house, or spending big money to install a personal Fibre to the premises connection, there is no way of shortening the cable distance to the node or connecting to a different node.
– Joshy
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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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Hi Lyn,
Thanks for the comment and query. The team work very hard to ensure that all connections perform as best as possible with the infrastructure given. With NBN HFC, ever connection is different and what can affect your neighbours may not affect you, especially given the fact that the cable leading to the house is newly installed. While we’ll make every effort to ensure any connection issue is rectified as quickly as possible, if your livelihood is dependant on your connection, we’d recommend looking into some form of back up service like a pre-paid data sim. Distance also affects HFC connections very differently due to HFC having a fibre optic component, distance affects speeds far less meaning it shouldn’t pose an issue to the speeds at your premises. We can certainly understand that change can be scary or stressful though and the team are always happy to assist if there are any connection issues or concerns that may arise.
– Joshy
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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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Hi Pat,
Great question! With NBN services, the home phone will become a Netphone (VoIP). This simply means that the home phone, instead of plugging into the wall, will plug into the back of the NBN VoIP compatible modem available for purchase at sign up (Free when re-contracting). The netphone services on NBN are super quick and easy and should be as simple as plugging the base station of your phone into the modem and everything will automatically configure.
– Joshy
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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 Kristy,
Thanks for the comment! NBN’s address records are pulled directly from the previous Telstra address records meaning if you have an ADSL connection now, it should certainly be listed within NBNs system (in my experience, apartments can occasionally be listed oddly). We’re more than happy to help out and find out what service is available or coming your way if you’d like. Please feel more than welcome to shoot us an email to iiOnline@iinet.net.au with any details (either your account number or invoice number with us or an address if you don’t currently have a service with us) and we’ll help track down your address in the NBN systems.
– Joshy
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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-
Hi Misty-Lee,
Thanks for the query. Depending on your area, it may be that the FTTP connection is through another wholesale supplier like Opticomm, Redtrain or OPENetworks. In some of these areas, NBN will take a little longer to move in as there is already a high-speed provider available. This is all of course speculation, as it’s hard to say specifically what the circumstances are without running the appropriate checks. If you’d like to shoot us some details to iiOnline@iinet.net.au referencing this comment and including your address, we’d be happy to run a few service qualification checks and find out what’s available.
– Joshy
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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 David,
Thanks for getting in touch, 800ms ping certainly sounds abnormally high and we’d definitely recommend that your friend gets in touch with his provider. Latency is dependant on a lot of factors but for the most part, should decrease with NBN services as the network has more optimised components. The biggest factors will typically be the “last mile” ie from the home to the first point of interconnection but the even bigger factor will be the optimisation of the home network. Things like connecting over a wired connection are always important to minimise latency and ensuring that data-intensive devices aren’t stealing up all the bandwidth.
– Joshy
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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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Hi Jim,
Thanks for getting in touch! With NBN hardware, it’s usually best to wait for the go-ahead message. Once the service is up and running on the NBN infrastructure we’ll usually give you a shout to let you know to plug in the new hardware. With NBN services accompanied by a modem supplied by us, the internet should be as simple as plugging in the new modem and the internet will be up and running. If you do have any troubles though, please, don’t be afraid to give us a shout, we’re always keen to lend a hand.
– Joshy
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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-
Hi Jim,
Thanks for leaving your thoughts! Let’s give you some replies.
* ADSL2+ connections go up to 24Mbps. Connections on NBN, through us, go up to 100Mbps. The NBN is much faster as a result.
* NBN doesn’t publish the location of NBN nodes (as its sensitive information), so we can only give you an estimate of how far you may be away from a node, based on your address.
* If your area is FTTN, fibre optic cabling is run to the nearest node. From there, the connection uses the existing copper cabling to connect to your property.
* It sounds like NBN is preparing to shut down the old network in your area, so if you’re being given disconnection warnings, now is the time to switch over.
* Once the copper network is removed, it can’t be returned. NBN has acquired the copper network, so they will eventually disconnect services attached to it.
Jim, we are here to help and you’re always welcome to get in touch with us directly via iiOnline@iinet.net.au with your details, should there be anything that we can do for you.
– Leo
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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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Hi Anne,
Thanks for taking a few moments to leave your thoughts on your move to NBN and some of the issues that you’ve encountered. We’d love to step in and lend a hand here as we can clarify some of the issues that you’ve raised. Please feel free to get in touch with us directly, via iiOnline@iinet.net.au with your details and mentioning your post here. We can then locate your account and take the required steps to resolve this for you.
– Leo
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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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Hey Jason,
The best way to do this is to simply give us a call on 13 19 17! Our team can have a chat with you, go over your needs and lend a hand.
– Leo
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Hi Just signed up with iiNet for my new home so that a cable could be installed. Informed sales team might be 4 to 6 weeks before need my new connection. Why would iiNet send a modem box and cut off my existing landline at my current address is unbelievable. Thought a change from Telstra would be a smart move but seems all telcos are incompetent. Steve Savage.
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!