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Common Questions About nbn®

Wi-Fi 6: Explained

Updated 5 months ago

Wi-Fi 6 is the next generation of Wi-Fi. It’ll still do the same basic thing — connect you to the internet — just with a bunch of additional technologies to make that happen more efficiently, speeding up connections in the process.

How fast is it?

The short but incomplete answer: 9.6 Gbps. That’s up from 3.5 Gbps on Wi-Fi 5.

The real answer: both of those speeds are theoretical maximums that you’re unlikely to ever reach in real-world Wi-Fi use. And even if you could reach those speeds, it’s not clear that you’d need them. The typical download speed in the US is just 72 Mbps, or less than 1 percent of the theoretical maximum speed.

But the fact that Wi-Fi 6 has a much higher theoretical speed limit than its predecessor is still important. That 9.6 Gbps doesn’t have to go to a single computer. It can be split up across a whole network of devices. That means more potential speed for each device.

Fixed Wireless Congestion

Updated 5 months ago

Cell congestion on transmission towers affect fixed wireless users connected to that cell, regardless of retailer. Southern Phone will endeavor to provide you with all available information on capacity upgrades and maintenance times as we receive them from nbn co.

We recommend contacting our team for troubleshooting to rule out other possible speed problems.

What does "Cutting Off The Copper" mean?

Updated 5 months ago

The nbn™ network rollout means affected services provided over existing copper wiring that some customers rely on for internet and home phone services are scheduled to be disconnected.

If you are affected, nbn co will send you written notice that you have approximately 18 months to switch your services over to the nbn network (this can vary depending on each area).

Switching over to the nbn network is not automatic and involves more than simply switching around a few plugs. Southern Phone can help make that transition as smooth as possible.

You will need to contact us at least 8 weeks prior to the copper cut -off date if you would like to sign up to the nbn network with us.

What is Fixed Wireless?

Updated 5 months ago

An nbn™ fixed wireless connection utilises data transmitted over radio signals to connect a premises to the nbn broadband access network.

This connection is typically used in circumstances where the distance between premises can be many kilometres. Data travels from a transmission tower located as far as 14 kilometres to an nbn outdoor antenna that has been fitted to the premises by an approved nbn installer.

Fixed Wireless Plus offers maximum potential speeds of 60Mbps (downloads) and 20Mbps (uploads).

Note: Speeds can be affected by a range of factors including line of sight to the transmission tower, nbn cell congestion, and/or nbn backhaul congestion.

I’m renting, what do I have to do to get connected to the nbn®?

Updated 8 days ago

Permission from the property owner must be received prior to the installation day. We recommend you speak with your property manager or landlord to discuss the connection.

If your landlord is not OK to go ahead with an nbn connection, try this alternative: 
Home wireless Broadband

Please Note: nbn® can only be provided to premises that have final Council approval (rates notice is issued for this property).

Where more than one dwelling is on the same property, the dwellings need to be deemed as separate dwellings meaning a rates notice is issued for each separate dwelling.

What Is The nbn®?

Updated 8 days ago

What Information Do I Need To Place An nbn® Order?

Updated 8 days ago

If you’re a new customer to Southern Phone, you'll need to supply all the information required to provide you with a service including your installation address and current contact information. You will be required to provide information that will allow us to complete a Credit Check for your order application to be submitted.

You will need to supply us with a Mobile Phone Number so that an SMS can be sent to you if an appointment is required for the connection of the nbn® Service.

Do I Need A Home Phone On The nbn®?

Updated 8 days ago

No, you don’t need a phone line to have an nbn® service. You can simply select an internet only plan. Check out our great range of plans on our website. 

Please note: Once connected, you will need to contact your previous service provider to ensure you are not still being billed for your Copper services (home phone & ADSL).

I Am Moving My Existing Service To nbn®, Will I Have Down Time?

Updated 8 days ago

Typically, your address can be upgraded to nbn® broadband with little to no downtime. More often than not you can continue to use your existing services until your new nbn® equipment has been installed and your service has been activated. However, in some cases, there can be an interruption in your telephone and/or internet service during the installation process depending on your location and the type of service being connected.

If you are an existing Southern Phone ADSL customer, you are eligible to upgrade to a Southern Phone nbn® plan without any break of contract fees.

Important: moving to nbn® broadband will not necessarily cancel your existing broadband and phone services. Once your nbn® service is active, please call your existing provider to ensure your old services are cancelled, otherwise, you may continue to be billed for them.

Can I Keep My Phone Number When I Move To The nbn®?

Updated 8 days ago

Yes, in most cases we can switch your existing home phone number over to the nbn® network.

When can I connect to the nbn® network?

Updated 8 days ago

You can check your address at https://www.nbnco.com.au  to see if nbn is available in your area.
nbn co will let you know when your home is ready for an nbn service and the type of nbn technology your service will use.

This could be Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP), Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN), Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB), Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC), Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC), Fixed Wireless or Satellite.

Once you are connected to the nbn network, we invite you to choose a Southern Phone nbn plan. See here.

Once you have signed up for a plan, we will organise for a qualified nbn technician to come to your house and install the equipment if necessary.

nbn® Connection Types Explained

Updated 8 months ago

We know that nbn connection types can be confusing, especially with the number of acronyms and jargon that are plaguing your internet and letterbox. How do you know what is available in your area? What equipment do you need to get started? Worry not, this handy little guide will spell out everything you need to know about getting connected!

 

Let’s talk about connection types

Currently, there are 7 types of nbn connections. The area you’re in will determine which type of nbn connection will be available to you.

The existing nbn connections are:

  • Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
  • Fixed Wireless (FW)
  • Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
  • Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
  • Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
  • Satellite (Sky Muster® Plus Premium)
  • Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC)

So, how do you know what is available in your area? You can search your address on the nbn Rollout Map for more information. 

 

Let’s talk about equipment

Each nbn connection type has its own equipment setup. When you sign up for an nbn plan with your internet service provider, they will arrange for an nbn technician to install any nbn equipment required at your property. You can choose to bring your own compatible modem or purchase one from Southern Phone.

But a big question is: What exactly is going to be installed?

 

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

Diagram

Fibre to the Premises uses the fibre-optic line from the street and connects to an nbn connection box at your premises. Your modem then connects to the nbn connection box via an ethernet cable. Once your modem is connected to the nbn network, you may connect your devices via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable.

 

Fixed Wireless (FW)

Diagram

Fixed Wireless connects from a transmissions tower to an antenna on top of your roof, which is installed by an nbn technician. The antenna then connects to an nbn connection box at your premises. Your modem then connects to the nbn connection box via an ethernet cable. Once your modem is connected to the nbn network, you may connect your devices via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable.

 

Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

Diagram

Fibre to the Node connects the existing copper phone and internet lines from your premises to a nearby fibre node in the street. You then just connect your modem to the existing phone socket in your premises. Once your modem is connected to the nbn network, you may connect your devices via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable.

Fibre to the Building (FTTB

An nbn Fibre to the Building (FTTB) connection is generally used when connecting an apartment block or similar types of buildings to the nbn network. In this scenario a fibre optic line is run to the fibre node in the building’s communications room. Then the existing technology in the building is used to connect each apartment.

Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)

Diagram

Fibre to the Curb connects the existing copper phone and internet lines from your premises to a small node located inside a pit on the street. An FTTC nbn connection device will be installed inside your premises and will be the end receiver, where you can connect your modem. Once your modem is connected to the nbn network, you may connect your devices via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable.

 

Satellite (Sky Muster® Plus)

Diagram

The Sky Muster® Plus Premium satellite connects via a satellite dish on top of your roof, which is installed by an nbn technician. The satellite dish then connects to an nbn supplied modem that is connected to a point where the cable from the satellite dish enters your home. Once your modem is connected to the nbn network, you may connect your devices via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable.

Your home phone connects to your phone socket and runs off the existing copper phone lines, just like it did before.

 

Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC)

Diagram

A Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connection is used in circumstances where the existing ‘pay TV’ or cable network can be used to make the final part of the nbn connection. In this circumstance, an HFC line will run from the nearest available fibre node to your premises.

HFC connections require an nbn connection box to be installed at the point where the line enters your home, where you can then connect your modem via ethernet cable. Once your modem is connected to the nbn network, you may connect your devices via Wi-Fi or ethernet cable.

 

Are you ready to connect?

If you’re ready to connect to the nbn network there is no time like the present! For an award-winning Australian customer service, Southern Phone is here every step of the way.