NBN Discussion

[Quickstatus]

Yes splicing in the field is often done for repairs.

However. GPON architecture does not permit random branching of a fibre in order to create a connection point. There is only so many times an optical signal can be divided. (NBN architecture specifies up to 32 times).

So it is often the case that an FTTP connection point needs to be pulled from the closest upstream fibre junction or fibre division location. Or sometimes a new division location needs to be created with all the attendant infrastructure and equipment.

And if the fibre is part of the NBN transit infrastructure (backbone fibre) no FTTP connection can be effected on that fibre

It sounds that likely that fibre is not NBN fibre and therefore is useless for any NBN related service

 

[DaveB]

Pointless going on with armchair generals.
The simple point is we had at home a superior overhead line product provided by Optus which has now been turned off with NBN delivering half the speed at more cost.
Our business, whenever NBN is finally able to make connection sometime after their fourth or fifth visit will also be vastly lnferior to infrastructure laid in front of our premises which NBN chose to not use or even put up as an option. No question the fibre optic was laid for local use as we are in a loop road and I sure know the difference between trunk and local distributions.
Telstra and Optus were paid over $10bn by NBN to hand over their networks so we end up with a monopoly that is sending this country backwards. I have daughters living in Toronto Ontario and Tauranga NZ who pay the minimum for their internet plans yet both have download speeds of over 300Mbps.

 

[Lynda2475]

Telstra and Optus did not hand-over any optical fibre to the nbn. Telstra handed over their copper lines and the coax cables from their HFC network neither of which were well maintained. Optus were paid to disconnect their HFC network, but chose to give their customers only 3 months notice, rather than the 18 months that recommended by the government.

So unfortunately if the local fibre loop is not nbn's then they cant use it. Easy way to tell is that telstra fibre has a blue oating, optus fibre has a yellow coating and nbn fibre has a green coating.

nbn monopoly is also only on fixed line connections for residential services (excepting adequately serviced areas). Absolutely nothing to stop any business from getting a fibre (or fixed wireless) connection from any RSP servicing businesses in the area with non nbn infrastructure.

 

[moa999]

And if it's Telstra or Optus fibre, did you try getting a commercial quote from them?

 

[Legoman]

Patience finally exhausted. Just lodged the TIO case against both TPG + Exetel for their ongoing failure to negotiate between themselves to transfer my landline number. One month to the day since my NBN connection got activated. The quote was 5 days to transfer the landline number.

 

[marki]

Have the option of connecting NBN Fibre to the Premises or taking out 5G. I live very close to the CBD ( East Melbourne). Which is better?
Should I bother with the NBN if 5G is supposedly superior but probably does not have unlimited downloads yet? Appreciate if somebody in the know can help.

 

[DeKa]

3 weeks after NBN connection and still no home phone. Exetel blaming TPG & TPG blaming Exetel. Me the customer left paying for two internet service providers so I don't lose the phone number I've had since 1974. So it's off to TIO I go. I wish this was unusual, unfortunately I suspect this is all perfectly normal and just how dealing with Australian telco providers goes eventually in 99% of cases.

One idea could be to port to Siptalk. They seem to be experts at porting numbers. I’ve used them for 5 years now.
I had a number with iiNet I wanted to keep when moving and no one could port it, except JohnM at Siptalk.

The fee ($16.50) was totally worth it to resolve the issue which sounds similar to yours.

To top of off they have PBX type functionality so I can have the number ring an IP phone when I’m at home, or an app on smartphones when travelling.

I also like not having the number tied to anything else.

 

[moa999]

Have the option of connecting NBN Fibre to the Premises or taking out 5G. I live very close to the CBD ( East Melbourne). Which is better?
Should I bother with the NBN if 5G is supposedly superior but probably does not have unlimited downloads yet? Appreciate if somebody in the know can help.

All depends on your mobile signal level, and data usage.
If you stream or download a lot, mobile isn't really an effective solution.
Beyond about 100Gb a month if definitely say NBN, and your lucky with FTTP being the best and generally most reliable technology.

 

[Daver6]

Have the option of connecting NBN Fibre to the Premises or taking out 5G. I live very close to the CBD ( East Melbourne). Which is better?
Should I bother with the NBN if 5G is supposedly superior but probably does not have unlimited downloads yet? Appreciate if somebody in the know can help.

I'd take fibre over wireless any day of the week.

 

[Lynda2475]

5g may not be available in your area yet - we are a couple of years away from having decent 5G coverage in all metro areas. To date there are limited releases in a handful of suburbs by Telstra and Optus. 5g has all the challenges that a Fixed Wireless connection has wrt line of sight to tower, building penetration etc, recent article stated that those who have 5G right now are rarely getting better performance than 4G.

If you are in a FTTP coverage area (you have won the nbn lottery), Id go for that with a RSP who doesn't require you to get a contract , then you can reassess when 5G is more mature and confirmed to be available in your area. From pure technology pov 5G is not ever going to be faster than Fibre, as the 5G towers are connected by fibre themselves.

The only limitation on FTTP is the speed tier you choose to purchase and the quality (or lack there of) the RSP/ISP you choose to go with, a poor RSP will not buy sufficient cvc which can impact performance in peak times.

For high volume usage a fixed line connection will always be cheaper than mobile.

 

[Quickstatus]

5G is likely going to be data limited.
A lot of hype surrounding it. Currently there is no 5G inspire of what some telcos are calling it.

 

[marki]

recent article stated that those who have 5G right now are rarely getting better performance than 4G.

very interesting. So they are currently using 4G frequencies too I Heard.

 

[Quickstatus]

What’s touted as 5G currently is little more than a faster version of 4G. They should have called it 4.5G

 

[Pushka]

Patience finally exhausted. Just lodged the TIO case against both TPG + Exetel for their ongoing failure to negotiate between themselves to transfer my landline number. One month to the day since my NBN connection got activated. The quote was 5 days to transfer the landline number.

You will be contacted by a TPG TIO representative who will engage in incredible delay tactics, so much so that you lose the will to live.

 

[Legoman]

You will be contacted by a TPG TIO representative who will engage in incredible delay tactics, so much so that you lose the will to live.

Not so, oh doubtful one. In fact, the TIO case number prompted almost immediate action from both TPG + Exetel. "Immediate" in this case of course meaning within a week - which is mind-blowingly fast for Australia telco companies.

I was hoping to get 1 month's internet cost ($60) as compensation by some means - either credit on ongoing service provided by Exetel or refund back to credit card as actual money.

What I eventually got was my phone number released by TPG and ported over to Exetel and working. Then I got an apology from Exetel with 3 months free internet access ($180) credit for the pain and suffering and then on top of that I've gotten another $60 refund back to credit card as compensation from TPG as well. All in all worth the effort.

 

[Melburnian1]

I haven't read all this thread, so my apologies if this has been asked before.

My area lacks NBN and won;t have it for a few months. Provided I sign up to NBN before the 18 months period is over, are there any difficulties in keeping my existing landline number if I do not change providers? My provider is TPG.

At one stage I'd read that landline numbers would change, but specialist 'whistle out' site indicates otherwise.

 

[Hvr]

Provided I sign up to NBN before the 18 months period is over, are there any difficulties in keeping my existing landline number if I do not change providers?

None at all. Indeed you may even be able to port your number to a new provider.

Although, why would you need a landline?

 

[Melburnian1]

...why would you need a landline?

Legitimate question. Perhaps in a few years they'll be abolished due to lack of demand - who knows - but I perceive superior voice quality even with the ageing copper network and like the lack of dropouts compared to mobiles. I've also had one for a few years (not the number one reason to keep one.)

My wife works in an inner suburban building where she can't consistently obtain mobile reception. Too many buildings maybe, akin to the inability of aircraft transponders to transmit where there are many airport buildings.

 

[Quickstatus]

M1 you can port your number prior to cessation of copper phone services.

However in the wireless services areas - FW and Satellite - Telstra will keep the landline services going (for now). There might be noises/cold calls/brochures/telemarketing that say they will shut down copper in these areas which are untrue. If so were in a wireless NBN area I would be keeping the copper landline as long as possible

 

[DC3]

... Although, why would you need a landline?

Good point. I think that landlines in the home are well on the way out.