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Do I Have to Pay for NBN Installation?

NBN connections usually come with no installation costs, but there may be some instances where this isn’t the case.

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, updated on February 13th, 2024       

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Are you gearing up to connect to the NBN and wondering about the costs associated with installation? In Savvy’s comprehensive guide, we'll break down the factors that influence the installation cost, as well as when you may not have to pay a cent. Read on to discover the ins and outs of NBN installation costs and how to navigate this essential step in upgrading your internet!

Do I have to pay for NBN installation at my home or business?

In most cases, standard NBN installation is provided free of charge. This typically includes connecting your premises to the network and installing the necessary equipment, such as the NBN connection box and NBN-compatible modem or router. However, there are a couple of instances where you may be required to pay for your installation, including:

  • New Development Fee: if you’re living in a newly constructed home or working in an office which is under reconstruction, you may be charged a $300 New Development Fee to connect you to the internet by NBN Co.
  • Relocation: if you’re looking to transfer your connection to a new house, some providers may charge you for relocating your internet to a different address.

Aside from these, though, you can expect the installation of your NBN connection to be completed for free and your primary ongoing cost being your internet plan fees.

What NBN connection types are available in Australia?

Australia offers several NBN connection types to cater to various geographical and infrastructure needs. These are:

  1. FTTP (Fibre to the Premises): this type is entirely made up of fibre optic cables connected directly to your home or business, offering the fastest and most reliable speeds.
  2. FTTN (Fibre to the Node): fibre is delivered to a node in your neighbourhood, with the remaining connection being made via copper phone lines to your premises.
  3. FTTC (Fibre to the Curb): FTTC involves fibre to a distribution point near your premises, such as on the street outside or in your driveway, with the last connection made through the existing copper cabling.
  4. FTTB (Fibre to the Building): designed for multi-level buildings such as apartment blocks, fibre optic cables are connected to the communications room and existing copper cables deliver the remaining connection to each apartment or office.
  5. HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial): HFC utilises existing pay TV coaxial cables in addition to fibre optic cables to deliver high-speed broadband.
  6. Fixed Wireless: Fixed Wireless uses radio signals to connect rural and remote areas to the NBN network via towers in your area.
  7. Satellite: Satellite NBN is designed for extremely remote areas with no other access to high-speed internet, with a satellite dish on your property connecting you to the internet.

The availability of these connection types depends on your location. To find out which connection type is available at your address, you can check the official NBN Co website or contact your chosen provider.

Can I upgrade my NBN connection type for free?

There are options available to some people to upgrade your existing NBN connection type for free. For example, some Australians may be eligible for a free upgrade from an existing FTTN or FTTC connection to FTTP through NBN Co as part of their program to upgrade existing infrastructure by 2025. This will usually involve upgrading to a higher-speed plan with your provider, such as NBN 250 or NBN 1000, to justify the upgrade.

However, if you aren’t eligible under this program or have another NBN type, you may still be able to upgrade to a FTTP connection, although this is likely to come at a high cost. For example, most Fixed Wireless, Satellite and FTTB connections aren’t able to be upgraded to FTTP as of September 2023. You can check your eligibility for this upgrade through NBN Co.

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Compare internet plans with Savvy

Regardless of whether you're looking for an internet plan for a one-person household or for your medium to large business, you can compare a range of offers from leading Australian providers side by side with Savvy. Get started with a free, no-obligation quote today!

Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of internet plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an internet plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.

Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an internet plan. For further information on the variety of internet plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.

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