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Connecting to the NBN network

This article will explain how the different NBN™ technologies may be connected to your home, including any requirements for NBN™ equipment installation or other hardware.

Different NBN™ technologies are available in different areas. 

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How the service connects to your premises

Fibre optic cable will lead all the way to your premises, terminating at your NBN™ Utility Box on an outside wall.

 

Inside your premises

The NBN™ Utility Box (Premises Connection Device) on your outside wall will connect to the NBN™ Connection Box and the Power Supply Unit installed indoors.

 

Installation

An NBN™ installer is required to attend your premises, if you don’t yet have the equipment shown above. On the date of installation you will have a 4 hour block of time allocated to you. Someone over the age of 18 will need to be present during the length of the appointment.

Check out our installation video.

Here's some recommendations for choosing where your NBN™ equipment will be installed:

  • Within 1.5 metres of an electrical outlet
  • In an office or study, or near any existing phone sockets
  • A cool, dry, and ventilated area with no sinks or water outlets
  • Away from busy areas where it may be knocked or damaged
  • A place where the equipment can be easily reached
  • A place where you’re not planning any major renovations

 

Hardware

For FTTP connections we recommend a router to allow you to connect multiple computers and devices via WiFi. This will give you the best flexibility when it comes to your home network. You'll need a router with an Ethernet WAN port.

 

How the service connects to your premises

With Fibre to the Building, fibre optic cable will lead to the building's Main Distribution Frame (MDF), typically in the basement or in a locked telecommunications cabinet. From there, the MDF will connect to the wall socket in your unit via the building's internal copper cabling.

Fibre to the Node connections are similar, but the connection point is a node in your street or a street nearby. Copper cabling will connect from the node to a wall socket inside your premises.

 

Inside your premises

You’ll be able to use the same wall socket that you previously used for traditional copper phone handsets and/or ADSL broadband.

 

Installation

In most cases an NBN™ installer won’t be required – the installation work will be performed outside your premises. Sometimes attendance will be required to check connectivity to your premises or if a new copper line or wall socket is required.

Check out our installation video.

Hardware

With FTTB and FTTN connections you'll need a VDSL2 modem-router, preferably with WiFi so you can connect multiple devices wirelessly. It's important to note that most ADSL modems will not work as they may not be VDSL2 compatible. You may need to replace your old ADSL modem when you move on to FTTB or FTTN.

 

How the service connects to your premises

Fibre optic cable will lead to a reverse-powered Distribution Point in a pit or on a pole near the curb in your street. From there, copper cabling will connect to a wall socket inside your premises. In multi-dwelling units such as apartment complexes, this copper cabling may first pass through the building's Main Distribution Frame (MDF), typically in the basement or in a locked telecommunications cabinet.

 

Inside your premises

Your NBN™ Connection Box will plug into the same wall socket that you previously used for traditional copper phone handsets and/or ADSL broadband. You can connect your iiNet modem to your NBN™ Connection Box to set up your home WiFi network.

 

How the service connects to your premises

A fixed antenna on your roof receives a wireless signal from your local NBN™ Wireless tower.

 

Inside your premises

The NBN™ Outdoor antenna on your roof will connect to a designated wall outlet for your indoor NBN™ Connection Box to plug in to.

 

Installation

An NBN™ installer is required to attend your premises, there is considerable work involved in getting the antenna on the roof and ensure it aligns correctly. During the length of the appointment for installation, someone over the age of 18 will need to be present.

Here's some recommendations for choosing where your NBN™ equipment will be installed:

  • Within 1.5 metres of an electrical outlet
  • In an office or study, or near any existing phone sockets
  • A cool, dry, and ventilated area with no sinks or water outlets
  • Away from busy areas where it may be knocked or damaged
  • A place where the equipment can be easily reached
  • A place where you’re not planning any major renovations

 

Hardware

For Fixed Wireless connections we recommend a router to allow you to connect multiple computers and devices via WiFi. This will give you the best flexibility when it comes to your home network. You'll need a router with an Ethernet WAN port.

 

How the service connects to your premises

Fibre cable will lead to a node in your street or a street nearby. Coaxial cabling (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial, that is - hence "HFC") will connect from the node to a Premises Connection Device on the outside wall of your premises. This will lead in to a wall socket inside your premises.

 

Inside your premises

Internal coaxial wiring will run from your Premises Connection Device to a wall socket inside your premises. You’ll be able to use the same wall socket that you previously used for a Cable broadband or Pay TV service. If you have a Pay TV service which uses cable, the wall socket will be fitted with a Cable splitter which will give one port for your NBN™ Connection Box and one port for your Pay TV service. You can connect your iiNet Cable Gateway to your NBN™ Connection Box to set up your home WiFi network.

 

Installation

An NBN™ installer is required to attend your premises if you have not already had NBN™ equipment installed at your address. During the installation, someone over the age of 18 must be present.

Here's some recommendations for choosing where your NBN™ HFC socket will be installed:

  • Within 1.5 metres of an electrical outlet
  • In an office or study, near any existing wall sockets
  • A cool, dry, and ventilated area with no sinks or water outlets
  • Away from busy areas where it may be knocked or damaged
  • A place where the equipment can be easily reached
  • A place where you’re not planning any major renovations

 

Hardware

For HFC connections, we only support the Cable Gateway supplied by us, such as the Huawei HG659 Home Router for NBN™ HFC. 

 

NBN™ LTSS (Long Term Satellite Service) is powered by the Sky Muster™ satellite.

How the service connects to your premises

A geostationary satellite in orbit above Australia transmits a signal between a fixed satellite dish at your premises and the NBN™ Satellite base station.

 

Inside your premises


 

Internal wiring will run from the satellite dish mounted on your roof or gutter to a wall socket inside your premises. Your NBN™ Satellite Connection Box will be connected to this wall socket. You can connect one computer to your Connection Box via Etehrnet cable, or you may wish to connect a WiFi router in order to connect multiple devices via Ethernet and WiFi.

 

Installation

An NBN™ installer is required to attend your premises if you have not already had NBN™ LTSS Satellite equipment installed at your address. During the installation, someone over the age of 18 must be present.

The installer will survey your property to determine a suitable location to install your satellite dish. In the event that a non-standard installtion is required (e.g. a free-standing mount with cabling leading back to your premises) then the installer will be able to supply a quote for any additional costs that may apply.

 

Hardware

For Satellite connections we recommend a router to allow you to connect multiple computers and devices via WiFi. This will give you the best flexibility when it comes to your home network. You'll need a router with an Ethernet WAN port.

 

iiNet Modems

Here’s a breakdown of the features and NBN™ services supported on the modems currently and previously sold by us.

For NBN™ HFC & FTTC connections, please note that the included Netphone/NBN™ Phone (VoIP) service and any included calls will NOT be available if you choose a to use a modem that is not supplied by us.

Modem WiFi Netphone (VoIP) NBN™ FTTP / Wireless / Satellite
 NBN™ FTTB / FTTN NBN™ FTTC NBN™ HFC
TP-Link VR1600v ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
TG-789 Broadband Gateway ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔* ✔ ✔
Huawei HG659 Home Router for NBN™ HFC - No longer sold ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✔
TG-1 Broadband Gateway - No longer sold ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔* ✖ ✖
Budii Lite - No longer sold ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔* ✖ ✖
NetComm NB16WV-02 - No longer sold ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖
Budii - No longer sold ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖
BoB Lite - No longer sold ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖
BoB 2 - No longer sold ✔ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖ ✖

*Please note that these modems are no longer compatible with iiNet NBN FTTB/N connections as of February 2018. Services connected before this date will remain compatible until further notice.

 

General modem specifications

Here’s some of specifications your modem/router will need to be used with your NBN™ services. You should always check with the manufacturer to make sure you’re buying a device which suits your needs.

Function or NBN™ Technology Type Required Specifications
WiFi Minimum of 802.11n WiFi standard. 802.11ac recommended for NBN™ FTTP services.
Netphone (VoIP) Must support VoIP in order to use Included Netphone service.
NBN™ FTTP / Wireless / Satellite Ethernet WAN socket, either dedicated or shared port.
NBN™ FTTB / FTTN VDSL2 enabled modem.
NBN™ HFC / FTTC You must use the modem supplied by us. If you bridge a third-party WiFi router to your supplied modem, you may not be able to use your included VoIP service.

 

Different NBN™ technologies have different phone options available, as shown below.

Technology Type Home Phone (landline)
 Fibre Phone Netphone/NBN™ Phone (VoIP)
Mobile
NBN™ FTTP Not available – optional transfer of number to Netphone (VoIP) No longer available* Included Check Coverage
NBN™ FTTB + FTTN Not available – optional transfer of number to Netphone (VoIP) Not available Included Check Coverage
NBN™ HFC / FTTC Not available – optional transfer of number to Netphone (VoIP) Not available Included Check Coverage
NBN™ Wireless Available Not available Included Check Coverage
NBN™ Satellite Available Not available Not available Check Coverage

 *Fibre Phone is no longer available to the majority of residential customers as of 23 August 2017, however select residential customers may have Fibre Phone as their included VoIP service instead of Netphone. The product remains available for iiNet Business customers.