nbn® Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) explained

On the day, we'll be installing nbn equipment including: fibre cabling, an nbn utility box outside your premises, plus an nbn connection box inside your premises. The nbn FTTP supplied equipment set-up is as follows:

• Outside the premises: nbn utility box. The maximum size of the box is 250mm (w) x 260mm (h) x  80mm (d).
• Inside the premises: the nbn connection box. The box size is 235mm (w) x 195mm (h) x 70mm (d).

Clearance around the equipment needs to be considered dependent on installation locations. 

• nbn fibre cabling will be installed from the street to the external nbn utility box. This can utilise existing cable pathways or include activities like mounting cable pathways on the surface of walls or using hand tools to shallow bury cable. 
• The nbn utility box will be installed close to your existing telecommunications utility box, usually at the front of the premises, no lower than 400mm to the ground and clear from other utilities.
• The nbn approved technician will also install fibre cable between the nbn utility box and the nbn connection box.
  
  

Your nbn approved technician will use the following guidelines to find a  suitable location for the nbn connection box.  

If it isn't feasible to meet all of these guidelines on the day of installation, exceptions may be considered. Your technician will discuss your options with you on the day.

The nbn connection box should be installed:

1. Within 3 metres of an existing power point outlet inside your premises.
2. Within a 12 metre radial distance of the nbn utility box. If there is no suitable location within the 12 metre radius according to nbn installation guidelines, the technician will, where feasible, install the nbn connection box in the nearest most suitable location beyond 12 metres. 
3. In an easily accessible location for convenient monitoring of the indicator lights, if required.
4. Away from existing utilities such as gas lines, external water systems and away from direct sunlight.
5. In an easily accessible location taking into consideration health and safety (for example, our technicians are not able to access low roof spaces or low underfloor spaces).
6. In a safe position where it will not be easily damaged.
7. In a cool, dry, ventilated area. It cannot be placed in a wet area, such as the bathroom, laundry, kitchen wet area or under a window that opens.
8. On the ground floor in a multi-story building.
9. On the inside surface of the external wall that your nbn utility box was installed (and within the same building).
10. Not in a garage or a bedroom unless:
    1. There's existing Ethernet cabling from the garage or bedroom to a better location for your Wi-Fi router or;
    2. A pathway has been provided from the nbn utility box to the garage or bedroom or; 
    3. It's the only safe or feasible option due to the construction/layout of your premises.

What can I do if the nbn connection box cannot be placed in my preferred location?

There are limitations on where we can and cannot install your new nbn equipment. You'll be offered at least one installation option consistent with the guidelines above to have your full fibre installation completed. If we aren't able to install the nbn connection box in your preferred location on the day, there are a few options you can consider, however they are not included in the nbn full fibre installation and will be at your own expense:

• Providing your own pathway following the Requirements of Customer Installed Fibre Cable Pathway guidelines (PDF - 1.7MB) to where you would like your nbn connection box.
• Running an ethernet cable from the nbn connection box to where you would like your Wi-Fi router.
• Looking at ways you could further enhance the setup in your premises with our Getting Your Connection Up And Running video or reading our nbn Optimisation fact sheet (PDF - 800KB).

You will need to schedule your preferred installation appointment with your phone or internet provider, as they will manage this process for you. 

An authorised person over the age of 18 must be present for the entire installation appointment. After the discussion with the nbn approved technician on the agreed installation options, they will need to provide signed consent for both where the nbn utility box (outside) and nbn connection box (inside) are being installed, and how the fibre cabling will be run into the premises.  

If you’re renting, remember to get your landlord’s permission to conduct the FTTP installation before your appointment date is confirmed. The nbn approved technician will need to do work that will need their approval – such as drilling into the property walls to install nbn equipment. 

Not yet. The outside equipment (nbn utility box) is just one part of the installation. To connect your home or business to the nbn network, you will need to order an nbn powered plan through your preferred phone or internet provider. Your provider will then organise the installation of your nbn equipment (nbn connection box) that will connect your premises to the nbn utility box outside. 

You can find out when services are planned to be connected at your address via the nbn rollout map.

It’s a live network, so there may be power or service interruptions which can typically last around 30-60 minutes. The nbn approved technician will let you know if they need to temporarily isolate power for health and safety reasons, depending on the work they need to do. To prepare for a potential service outage, we recommend keeping an alternative form of communication on hand, like a charged mobile phone, throughout the appointment.

Relocating nbn supplied equipment inside your premises

Registered cablers accredited by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) are able to make changes to nbn's access network equipment (nbn equipment) within your home or business. For example, the moving of a nbn connection box (also known as a Network Termination Device (NTD)), to another location within the premises.

The modifications carried out must adhere to nbn standards and be completed in accordance with nbn's Authority to Alter guide.

Relocating nbn supplied equipment outside your premises

To relocate nbn equipment outside of your home or business, you'll need to visit the modifying nbn infrastructure page, follow the relocation works process and complete the application form. A member of the Relocation Works team will be in contact with you to provide assistance and inform you of any associated costs to complete the work.

Removing nbn supplied equipment 

For the removal of nbn equipment (except Satellite equipment), whether internal or external, visit the modifying nbn infrastructure page.