How to Get NBN Connected to a New House

Building your dream home is an exciting adventure, but it comes with a long to-do-list and among the many decisions you’ll need to make, one of the most important tasks is getting your house connected to the National Broadband Network (NBN). After all, no modern living space is ever going to be fully functional without a reliable internet connection!

But, unlike moving into a house that’s been standing for several years, knowing how to get connected to the NBN in a new development can feel a little more confusing since it’ll be the first time an internet connection will have existed within the building. But there’s no need to panic! In this guide, we’ll show you how to get NBN connected to a new house quickly and easily.

Check Your Address and What NBN Technology You Can Get

First things first! Not all NBN connections are the same, and depending on where your new house is located, you might have access to fibre to the premises (FTTP), fibre to the node (FTTN), hybrid fibre coaxial, fixed wireless, or satellite. But why do you need to know this? Put simply, the NBN technology type available at your address will ultimately determine what kind of connection and speed you can expect.

So, before you do anything else, head to the official NBN Co website and use their address checker to confirm the available NBN technology for your new development. If the area isn’t connected yet, your builder or developer may need to submit a new developments application to NBN Co, and this will ensure that the necessary infrastructure (like a fibre optic cable or fixed line connections) will be installed.

Plan Your NBN Connection During Construction

Having explored your technology options and, if need be, a new developments application submitted, you can now have a chat with your builder about submitting a pre-installation request to NBN Co. This lets the NBN team plan the installation of your connection box and other necessary equipment before your home is complete.

You’ll also need to talk to your builder about where the NBN connection box and other hardware, like the utility box and network termination device, will be installed, as this makes it possible to install the NBN equipment into your new house without needing retrofits later.

During the construction phase, your builder or an electrician will also need to run data cabling to the rooms where you’ll need internet access. Think about where you family will use the internet most before this happens, and also where you’ll want to place your WiFi router. A central location is usually best for this as it increases your chances of getting strong coverage across the house.

Choosing the Right Service Provider

Once your home is NBN ready, it’s time to pick an internet service provider (ISP). This is a very important decision as the ISP will supply your NBN service and determine your internet speed and reliability.

There are plenty of options to choose from, including Telstra, Opus, TPG, and Aussie Broadband, to name just a few, but what you’ll need to do is look at what each service provider offers in terms of NBN plans. For instance, some providers include bundled services, like a home phone line or entertainment packages, while others focus more on competitive pricing and unlimited data. Pay attention to the speed tiers, too (e.g. Standard Plus Evening Speed or Premium Evening Speed), as this will make it easier to find a plan that suits your household’s needs.

For larger households, where multiple devices compete for bandwidth, it’s often a good idea to choose an ISP that can provide a higher-tier NBN plan. This can help avoid congestion during peak times and deliver the speed you need when you need it most!

Getting Connected to the NBN

Once you’ve chosen a provider, they’ll take care of the installation process, which usually involves scheduling an appointment with an NBN technician to install the connection box and other supplied equipment.

The installation process is typically straightforward, and for fibre connections the technician will connect your home to the nearest available fibre node. Or, if your area uses fixed wireless, they may need to install a small antenna or satellite dish. Whatever the technology, they’ll make sure the NBN connection is live and ready to use!

Setting Up Your Internet Connection

With the installation taken care of, the next step is setting up your WiFi network. Your service provider will usually provide a modem or router for this, which should be pre-configured to work with your plan. All you need to do is plug in it, power it on, and you’ll be online in no time.

If you’re tech-savvy, you might prefer to use your own equipment instead of the NBN-supplied equipment. However, you will need to make sure it is compatible with your connection type if you want to do this. For example, not all routers work with fibre optic cable or hybrid fibre coaxial connections.

Optimising Your Connection

Once you’re connected to the NBN, it’s a good idea to test your internet speed to make sure you’re actually getting what you’re paying for. There are plenty of online tools you can use to measure your actual speeds and confirm they match your NBN plan, and if you’re not happy with the results, contact your internet service provider. They might be able to adjust your setup or suggest a better speed plan.

Future-Proofing Your Internet Setup

Even if your new home is equipped with the latest appliances and cutting-edge technologies, it’s important to remember that, as technology advances, your internet speeds might change. As such, it’s worth keeping an eye on NBN Co’s Technology Choice Program, which allows homeowners to upgrade their connection type to keep up to speed. For example, you could move from FTTN to FTTP connections for better speeds – just keep in mind that this often involves a development charge.

Also, if you’re moving to an area that experiences frequent power failure, think about investing in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to keep your NBN connection box running during outages. It’s a relatively small investment that can make a big difference in keeping you connected!

Get free advice on NBN connections from an experienced building broker

Getting NBN connected to a new house might seem like a big job, but with a bit of planning and the right support, it can be pretty easy. At Buildi, our team of professional building brokers can help you find a builder who understands the process of getting an NBN connection to a new house, so reach out to us today at 1300 947 132 or fill in our Contact Form to get started.