Which nbn connection do we have?

nbn reaches your office in one of several ways, and each one uses different equipment. Knowing which you have tells you which lights to check and which guide to follow.

Not sure? Just ask us. We can see which technology your service uses. Log a request or call 1300 049 749.

Start here: is there an nbn box?

Look near where your router is plugged in.

• There’s a separate nbn-branded box, and the router plugs into it with a network cable. You’re on FTTP, FTTC, HFC or Fixed Wireless. Read on to tell them apart.
• There’s no nbn box. The router plugs straight into a phone wall socket. You’re on FTTN or FTTB.

FTTP (fibre to the premises)

Fibre runs all the way to the building.

• Outside: a small nbn utility box on the wall, usually near where the old phone line came in.
• Inside: a white nbn connection box, fed by a thin fibre cable, plugged into power. Most have one network port; sites with several services may have a four-port box.
• Some older sites also have a separate power supply unit with a battery.

Guide: FTTP connection box lights

FTTC (fibre to the curb)

Fibre runs to a pit in the street, and the existing copper phone line covers the last few metres.

• Inside: a small nbn connection box with lettered ports. One cable goes to power, one goes to a phone wall socket, and a network cable goes to your router.
• Its lights are blue when everything is working.

Guide: FTTC connection box lights

HFC (hybrid fibre coaxial, or “cable”)

The last part of the connection uses the old pay TV cable network.

• Inside: a black nbn connection box with four lights on the front: Power, Downstream, Upstream and Online.
• A white cable runs from the box to a TV-style cable wall outlet. On newer boxes this cable has locking connectors.

Guide: HFC connection box lights

FTTN (fibre to the node)

Fibre runs to a cabinet in the street, and the existing copper phone line runs from there to your building.

• No nbn equipment at your office. Your router (it must be a VDSL2 modem-router) plugs into a phone wall socket with a phone cable.

Guide: FTTN and FTTB modem checks

FTTB (fibre to the building)

Usually apartment and office blocks. Fibre runs to a cabinet in the building’s communications room, and the building’s existing phone wiring runs to each unit.

• Like FTTN, there’s no nbn box in your office. A VDSL2 modem-router plugs into the phone wall socket.
• The giveaway is the building: if you’re in a multi-tenancy block and there’s no nbn box, it’s most likely FTTB.

Guide: FTTN and FTTB modem checks

nbn Fixed Wireless

A radio signal comes from an nbn tower to an antenna on your building.

• Outside: an nbn antenna, usually on the roof, eaves or a wall (sometimes on a pole).
• Inside: a wall-mounted nbn connection box where the antenna cable comes in, plugged into power, with network ports for your router.

Guide: nbn Fixed Wireless

Summit Fixed Wireless (not nbn)

Summit also runs its own Fixed Wireless network, which is separate from nbn. If your service is Summit Fixed Wireless, the nbn guides don’t apply. Log a fault and choose Summit Fixed Wireless, and we’ll check it from our end.

Sky Muster satellite

Used in regional and remote areas. There’s a satellite dish on the roof and an nbn satellite modem inside, where the dish cable enters the building. If you’re on satellite, contact us directly when there’s a problem.