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Your NBN Checklist

Your NBN Checklist

Tags: Telco & Broadband
Last updated by The FiftyUp Team on

Some of you lucky bucks are already on the NBN, while for others, it is arriving as slow as a wet week.

Whether you are on it or not, there are a few things you should check before you sign on the dotted line.

1. What NBN plan do you need?

You’ll need to choose a plan that best suits your needs. Read our article Size Matters to assist you in picking the right plan.

Read more: WhistleOut's 'Best Australian NBN Plans'

2. Are there nasty fees?

We’d say this is an easy question, but it’s not. Here is where you have to ask a lot of questions. If you are switching providers, you’ll need to ask your current provider if there is a fee if you switch. If you are switching, you’ll need to ask your new provider if there is a connection fee. The ACCC also suggests you ask these questions as well:

  • Will you charge me an early termination fee when I move to a service on the NBN?
  • If there is an early termination fee:
    • How much is it?
    • How can I avoid paying it?
  • Will you charge me an activation or set-up fee for the new NBN service?
  • If there is an activation or set-up fee:
    • How much is it?
    • How can I avoid paying it?

3. Can You Use Your Current Modem/Router?

A modem and router are often combined to make it easier for one to connect to the internet but not all are compatible to the NBN. You’ll need to ask your provider if what you currently have is compatible. The ACCC also suggests asking:

  • Will my current router work on the NBN?
  • Do I need to get another router when I get NBN services?
  • If I do need to get another router:
  • How much is it?
    • How can I avoid paying it?
    • How can I install my own router?
  • How much does it cost for a technician to install an NBN compatible router in my home?

4. Does Your FTTP Need a Backup Battery

What’s FTTP you ask? It means “Fibre To The Premises” and if you’re lucky to have that access, you may need a backup battery. You’re given the option to have it or not and there are pros and cons of having it but if you always need to be connected to the internet even in a power outage, a backup battery could solve your problems.

5. What Else Relies On Your Connection

Do you have a security system or medical alarms that require connection to the internet? It may not be compatible to the NBN, so would be wise to check and make sure your equipment has been tested on the NBN and if the services will still work on the NBN.

Do you have a suggestion on what to check as well? Leave a comment below!


Click here or scroll down to see WhistleOut's best NBN plans this month

 

Originally posted on .

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Valery
Valery from NSW commented:

Do I need NBN if i just go with a wireless 4G broardband surface pro. laptop? it is always online and much cheaper on a plan with a Telco provider. no chaotic starts and stoppages on 4G. Am I correct about this? PLEASE correct me if I am wrong???? 

vicki
vicki from NSW commented:

A friend asked does she have to have the NBN even though she hasn't got any computers or a landline phone. She only has a mobile. Can I keep my landline phone once the NBN comes to my place 

Desmond
Desmond from QLD replied to vicki:

No NBN is not required if she only uses mobile. yes you can keep your landline phone it connects to the NBN modem . 

Alfred
Alfred from QLD commented:

NBN and FTTN is OK as long as you live just a reasonable distance from the node. In my case I am lucky that I am only 200 metres from the Node, others round here are much further away, and the speed can be very poor. 

Lesley
Lesley from NSW commented:

this nbn stinks. I get a pensioner discount with Telstra which only costs me $10 per month. Where do they think the money comes from. Don't think i'll be able to afford it. 

Warren & Sue
Warren & Sue from VIC commented:

Nobody ever seems to research the cost of plans for rural or regional users , who from experience seem to subsidise city users . Everything you see advertised always becomes, oh, sorry that particular plan is only available in metropolitan areas. 

Wally
Wally from NSW commented:

I know that fifty+ is using some NBN providers to advertise, but please check other providers for price andyou be surprise that they are a few good and cheaper. 

Brian
Brian from QLD commented:

I understand we will get FTTN (Fibre to the Node) which means using existing or modified copper to the house. What is the dissavantage or advantage of FTTN? 

Wally
Wally from NSW replied to Brian:

Hi Brian, from my experiences nothing, but you have to understand that you are part of NBN community on distributionbox. I have such installation and I can have speed up to 100MBs. maybe one good point - they don't have to drill or install additional equipment. 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to Brian:

I fail to see that there is any any advantage to the consumer. Just to the NBN Co, 

Desmond
Desmond from QLD replied to Brian:

It means we will be using the old copper wiring from the node to our house, The longer the distance the slower the speed, on my setup it's about the same speed as my old ADSL. 

John
John from NSW commented:

Hi, When you read various plans offered there is never any mention of what happens to your current email ! If you stay with your current provider is your email acess still available with all its previous data ? I would expect that of you change vendors then say goodbye to all of your email data. Regards, John. 

Gertraud
Gertraud from ACT replied to John:

Unless you change providers when you connect to NBN, it should not make any difference to your email account. Having said that, I do not use any of the email accounts available through my provider. I have had my hotmail account for the past 25 years and see no reason to ever change. 

Desmond
Desmond from QLD replied to John:

IF you stay with the same provider your email with them is safe, as is all free emails such as Gmail , Hotmail and so on, If you change providers you should save any data to your computer 

stephen
stephen from NSW commented:

What happens if i am happy with my service provider now and do not have a land line phone .is it compulsory to have NBN when i am now on a mobile plan ..regards Steve Wood 

John
John from NSW replied to stephen:

Steve my understanding is that it is compulsory to have the NBN line from the street run to your house outside wall where it terminates in an NBN "box" on the wall, AND THAT'S IT. Whether you connect up a service to it or not is up to the occupant. If you have a mobile internet service (and no landline) and are happy with that, youdon't need to connect/contact an NBN provider, just leave the box alone for the next house occupant!! Cheers 

John
John from NSW replied to John:

PS Steve thats of course correct if your internet service is a mobile plan only. If it is a ADSL2+ via the copper line (old Telstra) network then you will have to move over to NBN as the copper line will be shut off about 18 months AFTER the NBN in your area is declared operational. Some areas will be using the existing HFCable network (Foxtel/Telstra payTV cable) for the NBN and therefore those areas will probably see little change in their current speeds/service/reliability and pricing. if they were already receiving internet service via that cable (rather than the copper line network). Mobile internet plans are quite expensive for anything more than 20GB a month data at the moment but gradually (too slowly) coming down in price. Of course with 5G mobile band coming out in 2020, the download speeds will likely be faster than the 100Mbps NBN max. speeds. 

Wally
Wally from NSW replied to John:

Sorry John, butI am not sure that you are right about copper line. I have copper line and we have NBN since December 2017 and nobody is telling us to move from that or change. We have NBN to node and then distributed by copper lines. We can have up to 100 MBS speed without any problems. 

John
John from NSW replied to Wally:

Wally, correct you will have copper line from the street to your house (to the external wall NBN box) BUT the old (100yr+) copper network laid in the street will be switched off 18 months after the NBN fibre (or existing overhead HFCable) is declared operational. So customers with ADSL2+ (which uses the out on the street old copper line) will not have internet (or landline) service unless they switch to the NBN network/box on external wall. My understanding is that it is also the owners responsibility to have their service connected to that box. Note: I am yet to have NBN in my street, so I would like some clarification of my understanding by any NBN tech/personnel please. 

Wally
Wally from NSW replied to John:

Hi John, I am not sure where you have such information from about shytting down copper lines. maybe you are confused by FFTC - network to curb. That solution is base on putting fibre cable on street and then connect house,but NBN is doing that only in new areas. I have NBN where our connection is from Node - FFTN na dthen we have copper line ( as I mentioned before). I have check with my provider and with NBN and they have no plans to shut me down. They can come in years with a new solution like FFTC but it will be in years no months. The est solution - put your address on NBN site and then you will know what type on NBN connectivity you will have. We are in Sydney West and we are in stand alone home. 

Robert
Robert from NSW replied to Wally:

Hi Wally, you are correct that the copper cable from the node to your house will remain ad infinitum, it's the rest of the copper network, i.e. the copper network from the exchange to the node will disappear as the NBN are connecting that section using the fibre technology. 

Gertraud
Gertraud from ACT replied to stephen:

No, it is not compulsory to have the NBN. If you don't need it, do nothing. 

Wally
Wally from NSW replied to Gertraud:

but you will have only Internet from mobile company . If you want stationary phone still you have to have NBN phone only connection. 

Gertraud
Gertraud from ACT replied to Wally:

Yes, Wally. but John stated that he was happy with his current arrangement of mobile internet connection. For as long as this is the case, he needs to do nothing. 

stephen
stephen from NSW replied to stephen:

John Thanks . 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

Your spelling is incorrect for the word battery under your reference FFT 

George
George from NSW commented:

I'm puzzled by this comment. I cannot find any reference to FFT anywhere. There is a reference to FTTP and "backup battery." Having checked the Dictionary "battery" is the correct spelling. 

George
George from NSW replied to George:

Sorry I see the second reference is incorrect "back batter." Sorry! 

George
George from NSW replied to George:

Sorry I see the second reference is incorrect "back batter." Sorry! 

Someone
Someone from VIC replied to George:

It says "batter" instead of battery in the last sentence of point 4. 

Terry
Terry from NSW commented:

To Anonymous: You obviously knew what was meant and so, I am sure, will other readers. Why not just accept the advice with the gratitude it deserves and not be such a pedantic nark? 

FiftyUp Club
FiftyUp Club replied to Terry:

Thank you! It's been updated 

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