The short version
Key points
- The fibre upgrade became available through the provider on 19 September 2024, after earlier rollout dates and estimates changed.
- The installation included an external utility box and an internal NBN connection device, commonly called the NTD.
- The internal device needs to be indoors, near a power point and away from wet areas.
- A customer-supplied 20 mm conduit may provide more flexibility for locating the internal device, subject to the installer’s requirements.
- With fibre to the premises, a separate modem is not required. A router connects to the NTD to distribute the internet connection around the home.
Checking the upgrade status
The upgrade process began by checking the address on a third-party map that showed the existing NBN technology and the status of planned fibre upgrades. The map used different colours to distinguish fibre to the node, addresses eligible to order fibre to the premises, locations that had already upgraded and HFC services.
The rollout information changed over time. On 8 July 2024, a contractor indicated that work in the street had been completed and that paperwork would soon be submitted. However, that estimate proved optimistic. The NBN website later showed the build as due for completion in December 2024, even though the installation was ultimately arranged earlier.
Ordering the fibre service
The provider account showed an expected upgrade date of 16 September 2024, but the upgrade could not be requested until 19 September. Once the address became eligible, a fibre upgrade request was submitted for a higher-speed plan for one month.
About an hour later, the provider offered an installation appointment for the following day, 20 September. NBN then sent an SMS confirming the appointment. The technician also contacted the customer on the day and arrived earlier than the original appointment window, which was between 1 pm and 5 pm.
What happened during installation
The technician first confirmed the proposed locations for the external utility box and the internal NBN termination device, or NTD. The customer signed a digital form confirming the planned location before work began.
Outside, the technician opened the pit, tested a fibre endpoint and pushed a guide wire through the conduit between the pit and the home. The conduit contained dirt or sand and initially resisted the guide wire. Adding water helped the guide wire pass through, allowing the fibre cable to be pulled to the utility box.
The utility box was mounted on the exterior wall and the incoming fibre was connected. Inside, the technician drilled through the wall, pulled the fibre cable into the home and mounted the NTD near a power point. The installation was documented with photographs, and the location was signed off again after completion.
Choosing a suitable location
The NTD is a separate device from the home router. It requires power and provides Ethernet ports for connecting a router, so its position can affect the rest of the network. The installer explained that the device must be indoors, away from wet areas and next to a power point.
Roof access can also limit where the cable can be taken. According to the installer, technicians can squat inside the roof space but cannot crawl, limiting the distance they can move the cable in some homes to around 12 metres. A properly installed 20 mm conduit may allow the cable to be routed up to 40 metres, although this requires preparation by the homeowner and may require additional work or an electrician.
The installation location should therefore be considered as a long-term decision. Garages are often used because they can be close to the underground cable entry point, but the most suitable position depends on the home’s layout and future use of the rooms.
Connecting the home network
With fibre to the premises, the NTD handles the connection between the fibre service and the home network. A separate modem is not required. The router connects to the NTD using Ethernet and distributes the connection through wired devices and Wi-Fi.
The setup shown used a TP-Link BE800 router connected to the NTD, with the network then distributed to a mesh system, servers, computers, televisions and other devices. The supplied provider router may be sufficient for many households. A different router becomes relevant when the existing equipment does not provide the required Wi-Fi coverage or network features.
The installer also used a fibre weld rather than the standard clip-together connection. This took an additional 10 to 15 minutes and was described as providing a more solid and potentially more durable connection, rather than improving performance. The installer noted that not all technicians have the equipment for this process, as the standard installation uses clip-in connectors.
TechManPat’s conclusion
I found the fibre installation straightforward because the preferred internal location was close to the entry point, and I was very happy with the technician’s professionalism and the finished result. My main advice is to decide on a suitable long-term location before booking, ensure a power point is available and consider conduit if the cable needs to travel further through the home.
This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.
