nbn® network fibre extension trial for multi dwelling units (MDUs)

As part of the ongoing nbn network evolution, we’re currently trialling a new network upgrade opportunity in designated areas, in which some buildings may be eligible to upgrade from nbn Fibre to the Node (FTTN) to nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) through a new fibre extension method.

Extending fibre further into a building provides residents with access to higher speed plans. 

We have a wide range of nbn speed tiers designed to support a variety of needs, whether you have multiple people streaming content at once, or you simply like using the internet to email friends or send photos. Some of the benefits of these speed tiers include: 

  • Sending emails and making phone calls
  • Browsing web and social media
  • Multiple people online at the same time 
  • Working from home and video calls 
  • Streaming music
  • Streaming high-definition video (4k) 
  • Online gaming and more. 
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Please note, not all speed tiers are available everywhere. The availability of speed tiers depends on the type of technology you are connected to and the speed tiers your phone and internet provider offers.

What you need to know

You’ll have a 12-month window 

If your unit has current service over the nbn FTTN connection, you will need to speak to a phone and internet provider about changing your current service so you can upgrade to an nbn FTTP connection within 12 months from confirmed ready to connect date (provided once installation is complete), before your nbn FTTN connection is switched off.* 

If you currently do not have an nbn connection, you may speak to a phone and internet provider once you are ready to take advantage of an nbn powered plan from a provider over the FTTP technology. However, there is no time limit for you to take up a plan. Please note that any current services you may have over non-nbn fibre networks will not be affected*.  

We’ll work with you every step of the way 
To complete these works, we’ll require access to common areas and individual units. We will work with residents and your body corporate throughout the build process, to help ensure visibility of the proposed works. Importantly, trial participants will not incur any of the usual installation costs associated with changing technology types. Remember to ask your chosen provider if they charge any other fees to change to the new FTTP connection.
You’ll need to register your interest
To participate in this trial, you’ll need your body corporate to register your interest via the ‘Letter of Intent’ template as provided to your building representative. Your building will be subject to a review and involve a building survey, which will determine whether the building is eligible to upgrade from nbn FTTN to FTTP. 

Common Questions

Following a completed assessment on your area, building size and existing nbn infrastructure, your building has been deemed suitable for further assessment for eligibility to participate in the trial. 

This trial will upgrade your building’s network connection to our nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology, bringing fibre all the way into individual units. 

FTTP is our most advanced residential technology, which supports the fastest speeds offered on our residential network, and will help enable you to access an nbn powered plan based on these higher speeds from a phone and internet provider.  

Once we receive an email from your building representative expressing interest in participating in the trial, we will request completion of a questionnaire, which will obtain further details about the building such as access information, building plan and contact details.

This information will be used by an approved nbn delivery partner who will make contact to schedule access to inspect the building. This will involve obtaining access to all common areas, individual units and existing telecommunication infrastructure. Our delivery partner will then complete a site survey questionnaire, which will be reviewed by our fibre upgrade trial project team. If the building is found to be unsuitable for the trial, we will notify your building representative. 

You will not be charged for the access technology upgrade that forms part of the trial. Remember to ask your preferred provider if they charge any other fees to change to the new FTTP connection.

Once your building is approved to participate in the trial, our delivery partner will produce design plans for installation based on a completed site survey.  

Installation will involve connecting nbn cable from the street to the nbn supplied equipment. This will be installed based on the design plans. Access into apartments will be required to install and connect an nbn connection box in preparation for activating the FTTP connection.

We will work with your building’s representative throughout this process, so you have complete visibility of the proposed works prior to commencement. 

Please ensure owners/landlords are aware of the opportunity to take part in the trial and that telecommunications infrastructure will need to be installed within the unit. 

Where possible, and in order to minimise disruption, all equipment will be installed as close to the existing equipment or infrastructure as practical. This includes within communications rooms, building risers, connection entry points or other utilities areas. 

Existing cable pathways will be used where available. Conduit or ducting will also be used externally from the street to nbn supplied equipment within the building. This can also be used internally to run the cable along skirting boards or ceiling corners within hallways and individual units. 

An nbn connection box (known as a Network Termination Device or NTD) will need to be installed inside each unit, which will enable your chosen phone and internet provider to connect your services that uses your new FTTP technology.

If there’s no current nbn connection in your unit, we will still install the nbn  telecommunications infrastructure in the unit should the owner / tenant wish to take advantage of an FTTP connection in the future.*  
We do not anticipate any planned outages during the time required to complete the works. Premises that have an active alternative fibre network are not expected to be impacted. However, if you do experience an interruption to existing services, you will need to speak to your phone and internet provider who will be able to assist with any questions about your connection.

Once the building is ready to connect to the new FTTP technology, we will advise your nominated building contact.  

If you currently have services over the nbn network, check that all your services on the original nbn FTTN technology have been transitioned to your new nbn FTTP technology. You will have 12 months from confirmed ready to connect date (provided once installation is complete) to transition to an nbn powered plan using your new nbn FTTP technology before your existing nbn service will become redundant.*

If you currently do not have an nbn connection, you can speak to a phone and internet  provider once you are ready to take advantage of an an nbn powered plan on FTTP technology. However, there is no time limit for you to take up a plan, and any current services you may have over non-nbn fibre networks will not be affected*.  

You can keep using your existing technology for 12 months from the confirmed ready to connect date (provided once installation is complete) for your new FTTP technology. You’ll need to contact your preferred phone and internet provider during that 12 month period and ask to connect to your new nbn technology with an nbn powered plan. 
As providers determine the pricing of the nbn powered plans they offer, you will need to speak to your preferred phone and internet provider about the price of your new plan.
Most nbn compatible modems will work across different technologies. To check the compatibility of your existing modem with nbn FTTP, please contact your preferred phone and internet provider.
From the time you order your new nbn powered plan, connection could take anywhere up to a month. To minimise disruption to your existing services over the nbn network, it’s best to move to your new nbn technology as soon as possible; however, any current services you may have over non-nbn fibre networks will not be affected.*
While this is your decision, it may be determined by the circumstances of your current contract (for instance, whether you’re comfortable paying any exit fees for leaving your existing provider early). 

Services delivered over your existing nbn access technology will be switched off 12 months from the confirmed ready to connect date (provided once installation is complete). If you are currently using services over the nbn network and do not wish to continue doing so over your new nbn technology, you will lose access to these services from this date.*

If you currently have services over the nbn network, nbn strongly recommends you contact your current phone and internet provider for more information – particularly if you use safety-critical equipment (e.g. a medical alarm, monitored fire alarm or lift emergency phone) within the building.^

Please note that any current services you may have over non-nbn fibre networks will not be affected.

Once the trial is completed, the upgraded FTTP infrastructure will stay in place so that your unit continues to have access to all the benefits the FTTP connection provides.

We are here to work with you throughout the trial so if you have any further questions, please contact our fibre upgrade trial team via email at nbnMDUtrial@nbnco.com.au.

* This is an nbn upgrade only and non-nbn services will not be impacted, including those services provided over non-nbn fibre networks. If you are currently receiving broadband services using the non-nbn fibre networks, those broadband services will not be disconnected and you do not need to move to a plan over the nbn network if you do not want to. For more information about your connection, including which network you are connected to, contact your current phone and internet provider.

^The rollout of the nbn network will involve new technologies, and some existing devices, including many medical alarms, may not be compatible with these at all times. You should contact your equipment provider to find out if your alarm or other equipment will work when connected to the nbn network and what alternative solutions are available. For more information, visit nbn.com.au/compatibility.