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WHAT HAPPENS DURING A POWER BLACKOUT?



It’s important to keep in mind that any equipment connected via the nbn® network will not work during a power outage.

To ensure you’re prepared in the event of a blackout, we have compiled the following information. It details how each form of technology used in the Multi Technology Mix (MTM) is affected when the power goes out, and what you can do about it.


Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

In the instance of Fibre to the Premises, nbn supplies and installs a connection box within your home or business. This box needs to be connected to the power in order to work.

Your phone or internet provider may supply a battery back-up as part of your Power Supply unit, however you will need to speak to them if you would like to order one.   

When it comes to your telephone, this service will need to be used with a device that doesn’t require mains electricity in order to operate. Unless you have battery back-up and a corded telephone correctly connected, your phone will not work during a blackout.

During a blackout your battery back-up may last for approximately five hours. This includes the battery emergency reserve, which offers roughly three hours of power and another one and a half hours once the ‘Battery Emergency’ button has been pressed.

Each mains-powered item of equipment connected to the nbn network will need its own battery back-up to work during a power outage. For more information, please refer to our FTTP user guide.  

If you have medical alarms, fire alarms or lift emergency phones at your premises, please contact your equipment provider to confirm whether your equipment will work via the network in the event of a power outage.

Battery back-up is required for all Priority Assistance customers who suffer from a life-threatening illness. Please speak to your phone and internet provider for more information.


Fibre to the Building (FTTB)

Landline phone and internet services won’t work in the event of a power outage within the Fibre to the Building network or within your premises. Unfortunately, restoring power with an alternative power option is not possible if the FTTB network is also experiencing a power loss. Consider keeping a charged mobile phone nearby in the instance of a power outage.


Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)

Landline phone and internet services won’t work in the event of a power outage within the Fibre to the Curb network or within your premises. Unfortunately, restoring power with an alternative power option is not possible if the  FTTC network is also experiencing a power loss.  Consider keeping a charged mobile phone nearby in the instance of a power outage.


Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

Landline phone and internet services won’t work in the event of a power outage within the Fibre to the Node network or within your premises. Unfortunately, restoring power with an alternative power option is not possible if the FTTN network is also experiencing a power loss. Consider keeping a charged mobile phone nearby in the instance of a power outage.


Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC, also referred to as 'cable')

Landline phone and internet services won’t work in the event of a power outage within the HFC network or within your premises. Unfortunately, restoring power with an alternative power option is not possible if the HFC network is also experiencing a power loss. Consider keeping a charged mobile phone nearby in the instance of a power outage.


Fixed Wireless (FW)

Landline phone and internet services won’t work in the event of a power outage at the Fixed Wireless tower, fibre network or within your premises. Unfortunately, restoring power with an alternative power option is not possible if the Fixed Wireless tower is also experiencing a power loss. Consider keeping a charged mobile phone nearby in the instance of a power outage.

You may be able to keep your existing copper network active.

If your premises is located within a Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster satellite area, you will have the option of keeping your existing landline phone service active across the copper network. You can also choose to switch over to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service on the nbn network through a preferred phone and internet provider. This would connect your new phone via nbn supplied equipment. For more information, please speak directly to your phone and internet provider.

When ordering your nbn powered plan in a Fixed Wireless area, please ensure you speak to your provider about your existing landline telephone. If you have an existing copper phone line it’s important to consider keeping it in service for emergency communications, especially if you don’t have reliable mobile phone coverage at your home or business.


nbn® Sky Muster satellite

In the event of a power outage at your premises, restoring the power with an alternative power option will usually allow you to reconnect to the Sky Muster satellite service. However, if one of the Sky Muster satellite ground stations is also experiencing a power loss, there may be further delays in reconnecting your service. 

You may be able to keep your existing copper network active.

If your premises are located within a Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster satellite area, you will have the option of keeping your existing landline phone service active across the copper network. You can also choose to switch over to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service on the nbn network through a preferred phone and internet provider. This would connect your new phone via nbn supplied equipment. For more information, please speak directly to your phone and internet provider.

When ordering your nbn powered plan in a Sky Muster satellite area, please ensure you speak to your provider about your existing landline telephone. If you have an existing copper phone line it’s important to consider keeping it in service for emergency communications, especially if you don’t have reliable mobile phone coverage at your home or business.


Other devices affected by power outages

If you use any of the following equipment, it’s worth speaking to your equipment provider about whether your device will work when connected to the nbn network, and what alternative solutions are available if it doesn't. Certain devices such as medical alarms may not be compatible with the nbn network at all times – including but not limited to instances of a power blackout. 

For more information please visit the links below:



Do you rely on your landline phone?

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Monitored fire alarm or lift emergency phones

If you're responsible for any monitored fire alarms or lift emergency phones, consider these devices when to moving to the nbn network.