How Much Does NBN Installation Cost?
We'll answer all of your questions about NBN Installation cost and how you can get setup with your new NBN plan.
The cost of installing NBN can vary depending on your location and the type of connection you need. For most people, the cost will be around $300. However, if you live in a remote area, the price could be as high as $1000. Here's a quick guide.
If you're not already aware, the NBN is gradually becoming accessible in more regions than it was at the start of the year. It's thrilling, but we understand that you're still unsure about the network. This is understandable as it is a big investment, and you want to make sure that it is something that you're absolutely comfortable with before signing up.
That's why we've decided to put together this quick guide to the NBN and its installation costs before making the switch. Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you'll have a much better understanding of Australia's fastest internet connection.
What is NBN?
The nbn™ network is Australia’s new broadband network. It is designed to deliver fast, reliable and affordable broadband services to all Australian homes and businesses. NBN is being rolled out progressively across Australia and is currently available in many areas. You can use our rollout map to find out if the nbn™ network is available at your address.
The nbn™ network replaces Australia’s existing copper-based phone and internet networks with a new fibre-based network. The new network will provide you with access to high-speed broadband and will future-proof Australia’s communications infrastructure.
What are the advantages of NBN?
The nbn™ network offers many advantages over the existing copper network, including:
- Faster speeds: The nbn™ network is designed to provide you with access to fast broadband speeds. With the nbn™ network, you will be able to download large files, stream high-definition videos and make video calls without any interruptions.
- Reliability: The nbn™ network is more reliable than the existing copper network. The new fibre-based network is not affected by weather conditions and will provide you with a more consistent internet experience.
- Affordability: The nbn™ network is designed to be more affordable than the existing copper network. NBN Co, the company responsible for rolling out the nbn™ network, is offering a range of wholesale broadband plans that are priced competitively.
How much does it cost to get NBN installed?
The cost of installing the nbn™ network depends on several factors, such as the technology used and your location.
Is NBN Installation Free?
At its core, the NBN is meant to be a country-wide upgrade for Australia’s internet so that people will have reliable internet wherever they go. Because of this, having the NBN installed at your home or business is free, as installing it is counted as an upgrade.
You can't connect to and utilise the NBN after it's installed unless you go through an internet service provider. For that, you’ll have to pay a connection fee. This can cost anywhere from $30 to $150 per month, depending on your speed tier, data allowance, and other extras you’ve chosen.
There are a few instances when you will have to pay for the NBN installation, so keep those in mind. Moving to a new home, needing more equipment in your plan, or having connection points changed will all necessitate the payment of a technician to visit. You'll also have to pay a development fee of $300 for the first installation if you're moving into a new house or constructing one that hasn't been linked to the NBN.
How is the NBN Installed?
Your provider could simply provide you with a modem and instructions for installing the connection yourself. However, some properties might need a technician to set them up for the connection. This is especially the case if you live in an apartment or block of flats, as the NBN installation process might be more complicated.
If you do need to get a technician to come out and install the NBN at your property, here’s what they’ll do:
Check your property to see which type of nbn™ technology is available.
- Install an nbn connection box inside your home.
- Install an nbn utility box outside your home, if required.
- Connect your premises to the nbn™ network.
- Activate your service with your chosen internet service provider (ISP).
- Once the technician has finished installing the nbn™ network at your property, they will provide you with information on how to connect to the internet.
What are the Available NBN Plans?
Depending on where you live or work, you'll have access to different speeds and types of connections, so certain NBN plans will be faster than others. It's tempting to go for the speediest NBN plans, but not all of them will be available in your neighbourhood.
Don’t forget about the connection types, too. There are five types available, and these are Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Building/Basement (FTTB), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), Fibre to the Node (FTTN), and Hybrid-Fibre Coaxial (HFC). FTTP is the fastest, while FTTN is the slowest. In addition, the net speed you'll be able to get depends on your area's availability of various connection types. Not only will this determine how quickly your internet will actually be, but it could also impact the speeds you can access.
FTTP, or Fibre to the Premises, is the newest and fastest type of connection. With this technology, an optical fibre line runs all the way from the telephone exchange to your premises. The box that's installed inside your property contains equipment that translates signals from the optical fibre into electrical impulses that your modem can use.
With this connection, you can expect theoretical download speeds of up to 1Gbps and upload speeds of up to 400Mbps. In the real world, you'll probably get speeds that are a fraction of this, but they'll still be much faster than other types of NBN connections.
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If you want to get Fibre to the Premises, you'll need to check if your property is serviceable by checking the NBN Coverage Map. If your property is, then you'll need to contact a service provider and sign up for an FTTP plan.
On the other hand, FTTN is considered the slowest NBN connection because it uses a mix of both old and new technology. With this type of connection, an optical fibre line runs from the telephone exchange to a node in your neighbourhood. The signal is then transmitted to your premises using the existing copper network.
This type of connection is slower than FTTP because it uses the slower copper network for the last leg of the journey. However, it's still much faster than ADSL2+, and you can expect theoretical download speeds of up to 100Mbps and upload speeds of up to 40Mbps. In the real world, you'll probably get speeds that are a fraction of this, but they'll still be much faster than other types of NBN connections.
If you're new to the network and just looking for basic surfing, social media, and other basic internet activities like checking your email, NBN 50 is a good place to start. This speed tier is good for the average Australian household with 3 to 4 members.
However, if you work from home, want to stream high-definition videos, or like to get a little online gaming in now and then, consider an NBN 100 plan. NBN 100 plans offer increased speeds and are better for larger households or those that need a little extra speed for their online activities.
NBN 250 is the newest speed tier on the NBN, and it's perfect for anyone who wants the fastest possible speeds for their internet connection. This speed tier is best suited for large households with 4 or more members, as well as businesses that need a fast and reliable connection.
Before you select a plan, make sure to check which internet service providers are accessible in your region. From there, it’s a matter of looking at what plans they’re offering. If you’re worried about data allowances, you’re in luck - most NBN broadband plans offer unlimited data. Don’t forget about any perks and extras you may want.
Takeaway
The cost of installing your new NBN connection will depend on the type of technology used in your area. The good thing is that once your NBN is activated, you'll be able to enjoy some of the fastest speeds in the world. Just make sure to select a plan that's suited for your needs and budget.
If you're not sure which type of NBN connection is right for you, get in touch with a Compare Broadband today. Our NBN experts are able to assess your needs and help you select the best option for your home or business.
NBN Plans
NBN Connection Types
NBN Providers
Internet Plans in Australia
NBN guides
- Ultimate NBN guide
- NBN Rollout Map
- How to upgrade your NBN to FTTP?
- How Much Does NBN Installation Cost?
- How to Switch NBN Providers
- What NBN Speed do I Need?
- Why is My NBN Slow?
- NBN Outages: What to do During an Outage
- Your Definitive Guide Around The NBN Connection Box
- How to Check NBN Speed?
- Tips for faster NBN
- How long to set up NBN connections?
- Does my building have NBN?
- How to find your NBN Node
- NBN Providers with 4G backup