FTTP – Fibre to the Premises
FTTN – Fibre to the Node
It was in September last year that I posted about the NBN pits being worked on in our area. See https://whysun.com/computers-and-the-internet/nbn-upgrade-to-fttp/
I immediately altered my internet plan to qualify for a free upgrade and signed up for email updates from NBN.
In early October this year, a search of my address on the NBN site as well as an email from my provider (Telstra) confirmed that I could now proceed with the upgrade.
The Telstra email contained information to book a visit from a technician.
CORRECTION – THE CROSSED OUT PART IS NOT CORRECT – SEE UPDATE
My understanding of the procedure is:
· An initial visit from a technician to determine what work is required;
· Then, depending on the outcome of this visit, a further visit to install the equipment.
A Utility Box is installed outside the house where the existing NBN (Telstra) box is located then an internal NBN Connection Box is installed inside the house.
I hope the conduit from the pit on the footpath to the existing outside connector is in good order and they will just be able to pull the fibre through it.
The internal Connection Box requires a power point nearby and I have had an Electrician install it.
The only problem I envisage is the location inside the house where I want the NBN Connection Box. I want the new box to be located near the existing outlet for the internet. The NBN site says they will want to install it in a position that is convenient to them. See https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fibre/step-by-step-guide
It’s important to remember our technicians have health and safety considerations to make when helping to choose a suitable location to install the nbn connection box.
- It may not be possible to have the new connection box installed in the same location as your original technology connection points.
- In the first instance, they will generally propose the connection box to be placed in an easily accessible location in the nearest appropriate room to the outside nbn utility box (provided it is not a wet area such as a bathroom or laundry room). Generally, we will only install devices in a bedroom if requested by you.
- They may consider alternative locations that are easily accessible and within 40 metres of the nbn utility box, if all required specifications are met.
- If you have a specific location that you would like the nbn connection box installed that does not meet the specifications above, you may need to separately engage a licenced cabler to provide a suitable cable path.
My existing outlet and router etc are within 40 metres. But, if necessary, I might have to engage a commercial cable installer. I will wait and see and post updates as they occur.
UPDATE – This Information is based on my visit from the NBN Technician 25th October.
NOTE! The usual procedure is for a Technician to do the installation in the first visit. Subsequent visits are only needed if problems are encountered.
CARE! The NBN only installs the fibre plus the two NBN boxes. The NBN does NOT connect up the router. This job is either done by the carrier or via self install.
In my case, the Technician arrived within the appointed time. He sent a text when he was on his way.
The procedure only took about 2 hours. The location of the inside connection box next to my modem was not a problem. He got up in the ceiling to run the cable and he put the connection box where I wanted it.
The only slight hitch was with the cable from the footpath pit to the outside utility box. He had a bit of a problem with the “pull through” but he inserted it from the other end and the issue was quickly resolved.
Overall it was straightforward and painless.
The usual procedure is to continue operating with your old connection pending “activation” by your carrier. The carrier provides a new router/modem (if needed) plus the ethernet cable to connect the NBN inside connection box to your router/modem. The carrier sends a text when the new service is activated and, with a self install, provides instructions, the ethernet cable and the modem/router (if needed). I phoned Telstra and was told that the usual period for activation is 5 to 7 working days.
The NBN Technician said that it is usually less time and could even be a couple of days. It was less that 2 days – see below ##, and to make it clear, the NBN Tech does not carry the ethernet cable to connect the NBN box to your router/modem.
I received a text message from Telstra (on the afternoon of the day after the NBN visit) saying that Telstra was aware that NBN had completed conversion to FTTP, and they would text again when it was up and running. This second text was received on the afternoon of 27th October – After I had it working – see below ##.
I had a spare ethernet cable and the NBN Tech plugged it in at my request.
After the ethernet cable was connected, I logged onto my router/modem and the program shows that the fibre is “up” with a speed of 1GB. I already have a speed of 100 MB down but I decided to pay for a higher speed of 250 MB down. Telstra has a special on at the moment so, initially, I won’t pay any more for the increased speed. I will probably keep that higher speed as the cost difference is not much.
Fingers Crossed – it should be all up and running by next Friday. See below ##.
## 27th October IT IS NOW WORKING (Less than 2 days after NBN Technician visit.) I am still on my old plan and the new higher speed will cut in on Monday.
CARE !! I don’t know when it actually started working – After reading some instructions, I decided to unplug the ethernet cable (NBN connection box to modem) from the port used by the Tech (UNI – D4) and instead plug it into the first port UNI-D1 (as per the instructions on line). I stress again that the NBN Tech only plugged it in on my request and I provided the ethernet cable.
NEW PLAN
I selected the 250 Mbps down 22 Mbps up plan as it was only $25 more than my existing 100 down plan. You can get a 700 Mbps down 40 Mbps up plan, but that is $60 pm more. I don’t think the 700 plan is worth it – the 250 plan is fast enough for me.
My new speeds
