Getting Internet Connected to Your New Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Moving into a new house is an exciting and significant life event, but it can also be a busy and stressful time. With so many tasks to complete, from unpacking and organizing to updating addresses and setting up utilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One of the most essential services to set up in a new home is a reliable internet connection.

Having internet access is crucial for communication, entertainment and even managing daily tasks, making it a top priority for many homeowners. A stable internet connection enables residents to stay connected with family and friends, access important information and enjoy online entertainment, making the transition to a new home much smoother.

Setting up internet services as soon as possible can help alleviate some of the stress associated with moving and make the new house feel like home sooner.

Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout reached a significant milestone in late December 2020, with the project being officially declared “built and fully operational”. This marked the completion of the initial build phase, which aimed to provide high-speed internet access to millions of homes and businesses across the country.

However, the completion of the initial build did not signal the end of the NBN’s development. Since then, NBN Co, the company responsible for the network’s rollout and maintenance, has continued to upgrade and expand the network, with ongoing efforts to improve its performance, capacity and reach.

These ongoing enhancements are designed to ensure the NBN remains a world-class infrastructure, capable of supporting the evolving needs of Australian households, businesses and communities and staying ahead of the rapidly changing digital landscape.

To ensure a smooth NBN connection when moving to a new home, several steps must be taken. Checking if the address is NBN-ready, contacting the provider to arrange connection and disconnection and ensuring the correct equipment is taken or left behind are crucial.

Checking the new address is the first step. The NBN address checker can be used to confirm if the new home is already connected to the NBN network. If it is, the existing service can likely be transferred. If not, a new installation may be required, which could take longer.

Notifying the current provider about the move is essential, even if planning to switch providers. Arranging for disconnection of the service at the old address and connection at the new address must be done. Choosing a new plan or transferring the existing plan can also be done at this stage. Scheduling a date for the connection and installation, if required, is also necessary.

When moving, it is essential to know what equipment to take and what to leave behind. The modem, router and any Wi-Fi boosters should be taken to the new home. The NBN box (FTTP, FTTC, or HFC) and any associated equipment, however, belong to NBN Co and are registered to the specific address, so they should be left behind.

If there is no NBN box at the new address and it’s not FTTN, FTTB or FTTC then a technician may be needed to install or check the connection.

Installation and setup of the NBN connection can usually be done by plugging in the modem and router if the new home has an NBN box. If a technician is needed, they will install the necessary equipment and configure the connection.

Allowing sufficient time for the installation process, especially if it’s a new connection, is crucial. If the NBN power supply is missing, a replacement can be obtained from Campad Electronics.

Several factors should be considered when getting internet connected to the new home. A one-time New Development Fee may be incurred if the new home has never been connected to the NBN network before.

Checking for existing infrastructure is essential, especially if building or renovating, to ensure the property is wired for the NBN.

Reviewing internet usage needs and choosing a plan that suits the household is also vital. Ensuring compatibility of security systems or other devices connected to the internet with the new NBN connection is also necessary.