Whether building a new home from scratch or buying it off the plan, you want to ensure it has all the amenities. You might’ve planned a gym, swimming pool, or garage or even thought of hooking up your home with solar power. However, don’t forget about connecting your home to the NBN network – Australia’s robust, superfast internet service.
The NBN network is the backbone of our country’s next-gen fibre optic network. Although it is still rolling out, this network has brought 12.45 million Australian homes and businesses into its fold by July 2024. You can get NBN for home through a local service provider like RBE Internet, as this is a wholesale-only service.
Let’s learn about what you need to do to get your new home NBN-ready.
1. Make Sure You Are in NBN Covered Area
When shopping for land or property, ask if your new address will be within the NBN network. As mentioned, the NBN rollout is still underway, which means some areas, particularly remote or rural areas, may not be covered by its network yet. You can ask your property developer if you will be able to get NBN for your home.
You can check the NBN Co website to see if your property is within the NBN coverage area. All you have to do is add your new address, and the website will tell you whether or not it provides NBN services. You can ask your developer to apply for a new development connection if the area is not covered by the NBN.
2. Plan for Your NBN Residential Connectivity Early
An NBN residential connection comes through the NBN connection box, which needs to be positioned. It’s better to think about this as early as possible to avoid changing your plan later. However, before you decide where the box will go, you will need to consider how you plan to use your internet connection.
That means deciding:
- The devices you will use in your new home, such as phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, or TVs.
- The internet services you will use in each room to set up suitable data points.
- Whether you want to set up a single router or mesh Wi-Fi in your new home.
Once your plan is ready, share it with your developer. You can ask them to install the NBN connection box before you move in. This will help you select a suitable home NBN plan and quickly set up your connection. That means you can start browsing as soon as you move into your new house.
3. Coordinate with Your Developer and NBN Co from Early On
Getting your home NBN-ready while it’s being built requires you to communicate with your developer and NBN Co from early on. Typically, developers know the process, but you might have to guide them to the right resources (if required). That’s why starting this coordination several months before your planned move-in date is necessary.
Here’s what you need to do:
- First, confirm your new address is NBN-ready.
- Make sure your builder understands NBN requirements.
- Once the construction is underway, apply to NBN Co for a new connection.
- Ask NBN Co to work with your builder to install the necessary equipment, usually during the building phase.
4. Choose the Right Home NBN Plan
Once your NBN residential connection is ready to go, you will need to choose a suitable plan to get your internet up and running.
This involves two steps:
- Choose the NBN provider in your area.
- Select the right home NBN plan.
Both these steps are just as important as preparing your infrastructure. You can check the list of NBN residential providers in your area on the company’s website. However, RBE Internet is one of the leading NBN providers in South Australia.
Once you’ve shortlisted a few providers, you can choose a home NBN plan, which will depend on your browsing needs. However, whether you want to stream movies, play games, or work from home, there’s a plan to suit your requirements.
Just keep the following in mind:
- Speed: Look for a plan that provides the speed you need for daily activities. For example, NBN 25 is good for light browsing, while NBN 100 is better for simultaneous streaming and gaming.
- Data Limit: Choose a plan with enough data. Most service providers offer unlimited NBN plans for home users. These plans are usually best if you have a lot of users or devices.
- Provider: Different providers offer different prices and service levels, so compare them to find the best deal.
5. Install Your Router Correctly
After you get NBN for your home, the next step is to install a Wi-Fi router. As the router connects all your devices to the high-speed internet, it should be placed in a central location within your home. If you have a large house, consider installing a mesh network to ensure seamless connectivity in all rooms and areas.
Here’s what you should do:
- Keep your Wi-Fi router away from thick walls and other electronic devices.
- Use the latest, powerful wireless router to boost connectivity.
- Set up a firewall to secure your connection from unwanted intruders.
6. Test Your NBN Connection
Once everything is set up, you should test your NBN connection to ensure it’s working properly. This means checking both the speed and reliability of your internet. You can use online speed test tools to see if you’re getting the speeds promised by your NBN network provider.
You can resolve most internet issues with a few tweaks, such as turning your modem or router on and off. However, if the problem persists, contact your internet provider for support.
7. Keep Your NBN Setup Future-Proof
When getting NBN for your home, think about the future. The internet landscape is constantly changing. The average download speed for fixed broadband in Australia was already 70.02 Mbps in July 2024. This peak demand will only go up over time.
A future-proof NBN setup will make it easier to upgrade to a higher-tier NBN home plan. It might also help you switch to a different technology without any hiccups. Make sure your current NBN infrastructure can handle future demands just as easily.
Conclusion
When building a new home, you must ensure it is ready for the NBN network. NBN offers high-speed, reliable internet for home users across Australia. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can ensure smooth internet connectivity and avoid any last-minute hassles. We also recommend coordinating with your developer and NBN Co as early as possible to save time and effort in the long run. As far as getting a reliable NBN home connection is concerned, RBE Internet is here to help. We offer several NBN home plans and VoIP packs in South Australia. Contact us now to know more!
