Connecting to the nbn – what you need to know for your business

At innoTel, we get a lot of questions specifically about connecting business to the nbn tm and what needs to be taken into account.

Here’s a quick run-down of what you need to consider;

The following may vary for some customers and locations, but is generally what needs to be considered and what happens throughout the process.

Check your existing equipment

Router – is your current router up to task?

Only a small number of routers (otherwise known as modems or modem/routers) operational today are capable of connecting to all nbn tm network types. Depending on the network and technology type used to deliver an nbn tm connection to your business, you may need to consider upgrading.

Your internal network

Given the faster speeds now available over the nbn tm, it might also be time you looked at your internal network to ensure you can get the most out of an nbn tm broadband connection.

Make sure Network Switches and Wi-Fi Access points are up to the task and give you the opportunity to enjoy the faster speeds that an nbn tm connection is capable of bringing.

Alarms (including Security, Fire and Emergency alarms)

If you have any type of Alarm fitted at your premise, you’ll need to speak to your alarm provider to check if it will continue to work when the nbn tm is connected at your premise.

nbn tm connections do away with the traditional landline (PSTN) phone service, which most alarm systems use to send information back to the alarm provider.

Your alarm provider will be able to advise what steps need to be taken to ensure your alarm continues to work when the nbn tm is installed at your premises.

EFTPOS terminals (including Health claim terminals)

Like alarms, some EFTPOS and Health claim (HiCAPS) terminals, particularly older ones, use the traditional landline networks to transmit data back to your bank or health provider. Contacting the bank or supplier is your best bet to ensure you can continue to process payments and claims after the nbn tm is installed at your premise.

Ordering

When the nbn tm is ‘live’ or coming live in your area, you’ll receive notification from nbn usually through a letterbox drop. At this point, you can start discussing your needs with a provider on which service and plan is right for you.

innoTel can help you find the right service and nbn broadband plan for your business’ needs with just a few simple questions.

Don’t leave ordering your nbn tm service until the last minute. What we’ve seen happen is a flood of orders come in at the same time and there aren’t enough nbn tm sub-contractors to get all the connections done within a short timeframe. Keeping this in mind, you’ll be able to make the transition to an nbn tm broadband connection smoothly.

Installation

Installation of an nbn tm broadband service is performed by qualified nbn tm sub-contractors. A standard installation on average takes 3-4 hours to complete and you must be present at your premises during the installation.

In some cases, multiple visits by an nbn tm sub-contractor will be required and these multiple visits can be across different days.

nbn tm contractors will install a Network Termination Device (NTD) in your premises in the most convenient location based on the entry point of the nbn tm wiring into your premises. You can read more about what an nbn NTD is on our blog.

This may result in the NTD not being installed in the same location as your current communications equipment; however, it is best to discuss this with the sub-contractor prior to beginning the installation on the day.

If the NTD is installed in a different location, the cost of wiring from the NTD to your communications equipment will need to be covered by you.

Once installed, the sub-contractor will test the service to ensure it is working correctly.

Post-Installation

Once the sub-contractor has connected the NTD and has confirmed the service is operational, you’ll need to go ahead and plug in your configured modem/router into the NTD.

If you’ve supplied a compatible modem/router, then you’ll need to configure it by entering various settings into the device. innoTel can supply the settings that work in most devices, or innoTel also supplies pre-configured nbn tm ready modem/routers that all you need to do is plug in and you’re on your way.

If everything is configured, you should now be able to access the internet and enjoy using your new nbn connection.

What if I don’t connect to the nbn tm?

For most businesses that rely on ADSL/ ADSL2+ Broadband and traditional PSTN phone lines, among others, when the nbn tm is rolled out in your area there will be a period of time you’ll be given to make the switch. If you don’t make the switch and connect to the nbn tm, you could be left with no Internet or Phone services, depending on the roll-out area and technology used to deliver an nbn tm connection to your premises.

It’s always worth checking in with innoTel to see when your area is going live and when the deadline for cutovers is.

You’ll want to leave yourself plenty of time to switch across. For example, picking up the phone 2 months from the cut-off date could delay your installation and leave you with no services, particularly if everyone in your area has the same idea!

Need to get connected to the nbn tm? Contact innoTel today and we’ll help you find the right service and nbn tm broadband plan.