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What is the NBN?

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is a high speed network provided by the Australian government. The service is delivered using a range of technologies referred to as a multi-technology mix (MTM). These technologies are listed in the services section below. The goal is to deliver an overhaul of phone and internet access nationally with download speeds beginning at 12Mbps through to Gigabit speeds for 98% of Australia.

Who is building the NBN?

The organisation created by the government to deliver the network is NBNCo. They design the network then contract suppliers to build the required devices and provide the resources to deploy them Australia wide. The same goes for geostationary satellites which they purchased and launched so they now sit above Australia in low earth orbit. You will rarely interact with them as they are equivalent to a wholesaler.

Who provides my connection?

The retail service provider or RSP supplies your connection. They purchase wholesale access from NBNCo. Most of Australia's internet service providers (ISP) are now retail service providers on the NBN. Some examples are Telstra, Optus, TPG, Aussie Broadband & Superloop.

What is an NBN router?

For the purposes of this wiki an NBN router is any device that passes traffic from your network to the internet via the NBN. In the past this used to be a single device. However now there is often more than one device. A router might also be known as a modem router.

Services


The following services are available as part of the NBN rollout.

Fibre to the Premises

Fibre to the premises or FTTP is where fibre runs from the street onto your premises and is terminated on box mounted on an interior wall of your dwelling.

Fibre to the Node

Fibre to the node or FTTN is where fibre runs to a distribution point in your neighborhood. Then the phone line to your home is used to provide high speed internet.

Fibre to the Basement

Fibre to the basement or FTTB is used in multi-unit dwellings This is where fibre runs to a distribution point in the basement of your building. Then the phone line to your unit is used to provide high speed internet.

Hybrid Fibre Cable

Hybrid fibre cable or HFC is where an existing cable television service available in the suburb is used to provide high speed internet.

Fixed Wireless

Fixed wireless is used when NBNCo has constructed wireless towers in your area. You will have an antenna on your roof that points towards the tower to provide you with high speed internet.

Satellite

Satellite is used for remote areas or where fixed wireless is not suitable. You will have a dish that communicates with the Skymuster satellites in geo stationary orbit over Australia to provide you with high speed internet.


Terms
FTTP – Fibre to the Premises
FTTN – Fibre to the Node
FTTB – Fibre to the Basement
HFC – Hybrid Fibre Cable

A total of 7 variants of services under the NBN

Providers


Retail Service Providers

Retail service providers are the companies that sell you the NBN. The following is a list of registered service providers in Australia.

"Search by Address here

Wholesale Service Providers

NBNCo is the primary wholesale service provider. It is a pure OSI Layer 2 provider. There are additional wholesale providers listed "here

OSI Layers explanation attempt:









Layer 2 uses MAC addresses and is responsible for frame delivery from hop to hop.
Layer 3 uses IP addresses and is responsible for packet delivery from end to end.


Layer 4 accomplishes this by using an addressing scheme known as Port Numbers.

Specifically, two methods of distinguishing network streams exist. They are known as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), or the User Datagram Protocol (UDP).

NBN HFC

NBN supplies the NTD ( Network Termination Device ) which is RSP-agnostic - your tax dollars at work - free to you and remains on-site permanently - will not work if relocated to another premises, sold off etc.



NBN owns it perpetually and if missing at your location, reach out to your RSP and explain, and arrange for a replacement.

It is the Arris CM8200(b) and this is how it looks like:







NB: The version as supplied by NBN has UNI-D2 sealed off i.e. unuseable. Only UNI-D1 port ( Gigabit capable ) is active and connects to the WAN Ethernet port of your router. In this example, the router below has the red coloured WAN Ethernet port.



NBN HFC therefore only requires a router, not a modem ! A Qotom box running eg PfSense will qualify as would most routers. For the most reliable of speed testing, remove the router and connect an Ethernet capable laptop or Desktop PC to UNI-D1 of the NTD and run your speed tests.





If your RSP requires 802.1Q VLAN ID Tagging for the WAN eg Future Broadband, TPG, iiNet, Internode etc. add VLAN values onto your Network Card settings, for example VLAN 100:



Create a PPPoE connection if so required by your RSP.

Some 7% of POIs today are enabled for high speed tiers.

Source: https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-l ... nt-548704



Source: More abouit NBN HFC from officialdom:

https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/network- ... ined-hfc-3

NBN FttC

NBN supplies the NCD ( Network Connection Device ) which is RSP-agnostic - your tax dollars at work - free to you and remains on-site permanently - will not work if relocated to another premises, sold off etc.





NBN owns it perpetually and if missing at your location, reach out to your RSP and explain, and arrange for a replacement.

It is also known as the RPU ( Reverse Power Unit ) since it powers the remote DPU ( aka the device in the pit outside Distribution Point Unit ) from your home i.e. up to 4 homes ( or 4 RPUs ) provide power to a single DPU.

There are 3 brands of DPUs - the Nokia version shown here is additionally G.Fast ready. Other brands have different "features " and are typically Netcomm ( now known as CASA ) and AdTran.







It ( NCD / RPU ) uses a Mickey Mouse power lead, easily replaceable and cheap from just about any outlet - the same kind typically used for laptop power bricks. This is Part A.



Also known as IEC C5



The NCD is based on VDSL2 - that's right - copper but a far shorter run typically than that of FttN/B, and only up to the DPU outside. Beyond that, it is all fibre. The LEDs are:



The copper is from the telephone socket of your home, ideally the first socket / Telecom Network Boundary Point to the DPU and carries electrical current and data signals ( VDSL2 ). This is connected to Part B in the image below. Hence, your telephone socket is no longer able to carry PSTN analog signals to the ex-Telstra telephone exchange once the switch has been done.



Part C as circled in Red connects to the WAN Ethernet port of your router using a standard Ethernet Cat5E/6 cable. In this example, the router below has the red coloured WAN Ethernet port.

NBN FttC therefore only requires a router, not a modem ! A Qotom box running eg PfSense will qualify as would most routers. For the most reliable of speed testing, remove the router and connect an Ethernet capable laptop or Desktop PC to the NCD and run your speed tests.





Typical completed FttC setup ( TP-Link Archer VR1600v shown here with the NCD ):



If your RSP requires 802.1Q VLAN ID Tagging for the WAN eg Future Broadband, TPG, iiNet, Internode etc. add VLAN values onto your Network Card settings, for example VLAN 100:



Create a PPPoE connection if so required by your RSP.

Decent DPU Line Rate stats:



If somewhat different, consider a registered cabler & Broadband Rewiring for VDSL2

NBN Fixed Wireless Plus ( FW )

Verify what is available at the premises:

https://www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-o ... ur-address

There are over 180 RSPs under NBN so do your research and pick one carefully.

https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/service-providers

If renting, ensure you have your Landlord's consent to install - a written one is always better.

NBN Fixed Wireless can be a bit of a hit and miss. Ideally, you'd need to be close to the Tower AND have excellent LOS ( Line of Sight ).

* basic steps involved:

a) Order your service ( some RSPs do not sell NBN FW eg Superloop as it conflicts with their own FW product / offerig )
Choose any RSP that does not impose WAN = 802.1Q VLAN ID Tagging for NBN Fixed Wireless. Even better are those that a) do not impose contracts b) Do not force to use their hardware c) Have little or no script jockeys at Support d) Close liaison with NBN for fault logging and escalation e) Communicative

If considering VOIP, OIP can also be run off your existing PSTN ADSL connection, if any, and this copper line will remain untouched connected to a Telstra exchange. Use eg the SMG1 / 2 for ADSL ( Grey DSL port ) with an ATA for possible VOIP. for bandwidth calculations for VOIP, please see: viewtopic.php?f=68&t=91



b) Install the equipment
The choice of ODU ( Out Door Unit ) is limited & done by the NBN subcontractor / authorised installer. The IDU ( In Door Unit ) varies after the Wireless NTD ( Network Termination Device ). The end-user is responsible for the router after the NTD including necessary (re) cabling for Gigabit Ethernet Cat6.



See here for tips:
viewtopic.php?f=81&t=39

c) Connect to the internet

I'd go for a Fritz!Box 7490 / 7590 ( built-in ATA ) or a pre-loved ex-Telstra Technicolor DJA0230 SMG1 ( shown above - Red WAN Ethernet port ) / DJA0231 SMG2 depending if VOIP is required. This connection has a WAN Ethernet handoff, so many routers will be suitable including mesh eg TP-Link Deco M5, Google Nest / WiFi, Netgear Orbi depending on your budget and needs. Add a Gigabit Ethernet switch for more Ethernet ports and an external ATA for VOIP.

Wireless NTD ( IDU ) Positioning considerations

The best place for your indoor Network Termination Device is one that is:

• Near your existing phone or network cabling or devices that you will use the most

• Within 1.5 metres of a dedicated 240V power point (a mandatory requirement)

• In a cool, dry, ventilated area

• Away from busy areas where it may be knocked and damaged

• Where it will be easy for you to check the indicator lights if there is a problem

The Wireless NTD itself is 230mm x 130mm - a small box.

Who will I deal with during my installation?

Internet service provider: Your internet service provider will help you select your plan and arrange a time and date for your installation. They will liaise with NBN Co’s installers and should be your main point of contact.

NBN Co: NBN Co are responsible for rolling out the National Broadband Network across Australia. You shouldn’t need to contact them directly ( nor able to normally ), but if you have any questions that your internet service provider is unable to assist with, you can call NBN Co on 1800 881 816.

If NBN's equipment is damaged, take pics and fill up this link:

https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-info ... ing_damage

NBN Co installer: This is the official representative of NBN Co who will complete the installation of equipment on your property and make sure it is working correctly. They will be in contact before your installation to introduce themselves and confirm your appointment time.

Preparing for your installation
Before the day

You will receive a phone call from an NBN Co representative both one week in advance and on the day prior to confirm your installation appointment time.

In that time, it would be a good idea to think about where you would prefer the internal equipment to be installed.

On the day

You will receive a third phone call approximately one hour prior to the installer arriving at your premises.
When the installer arrives at your premises at the allocated time, ensure you check their ID before giving them access to your premises.

The installer will work with you on the best location for the NBN equipment. Currently at least one installation option will be available at no charge for your premises. However, if you would like your installation done in a particular way, please discuss this with your installer as in some circumstances ( e.g. for particularly complex or difficult nstallations ), there may be charges associated with this. If your Outdoor Antenna installation is not going to be on your roof or eaves, it may require a custom installation and an appointment for a follow up visit by the NBN Co installer ( aka non-standard installation )

External installation



The Outdoor Antenna will be installed on your premises in a location that has direct line-of-sight to
an NBN Co fixed wireless base station ( aka tower ).

Generally, NBN Co will look at installing the antenna either with a mounting from under the eaves of your roof or on the roof itself. If neither of these locations provide direct line-of-sight to the base station, NBN Co’s installer may look for another suitable location on your premises.

The installer will then conduct a radio signal survey to ensure that your premises is able to receive a good quality fixed wireless service. If that survey does not confirm that you can receive a service of the right strength, you will be
directed to contact your internet service provider to investigate other connection opportunities tgat may be available.

The installer will have ladders and other equipment to enable both the radio survey and the installation to be completed.

Installation approval
Your installer will take before and after photographs of the installation, and ask you to sign a form indicating your approval so you can be assured it will be done to your satisfaction before they leave.

Do I need to be there for the installation?
You, or an authorised representative ( someone you trust who is over 18 ), needs to be there for the whole appointment, to let the installer in, and agree where the equipment should be located.

Can the weather affect my installation?
Yes adverse weather conditions may make installation unsafe for the NBN Co installer. If weather prevents him/her from being able to connect your equipment safely, it can be arranged to reschedule your installation for another day.

If I get poor 4G LTE mobile reception won’t I get a poor fixed wireless connection?
Poor quality mobile reception is not an indication of what you will experience on NBN Co’s fixed wireless service. The frequency ranges are entirely distinct & consequently have no bearing.



Standard ODU:



Custom ODU:



IDU / Wireless NTD







Some recent Fixed Wireless and Fixed Wireless Plus at Layer 7 speed testing:











ACMA Tools:

https://www.acma.gov.au/register-radioc ... s-licences

https://web.acma.gov.au/rrl/site_proximity.main_page



Alternate sites:

https://sites.google.com/view/nbn-fixed ... s-map/home