Before your installation appointment, you will need to think about where you want the nbn™ connection box and Power Supply unit to be installed inside (or outside) your house.

Use this checklist to pick the best location.

• Reasonably close to a power connection.
• A cool, dry, ventilated area (nbn™ equipment cannot be installed in a damp or wet area such as; a kitchen, bathroom, laundry, or under a window that opens).
• Away from busy areas where it may be knocked or damaged.
• Somewhere easy for you to see and check the indicator lights.
• In the same building as the main electric meter box or distribution board (i.e. not in a separate detached garage or outhouse).

Whilst the NBN technician will try to accommodate your choice of location, some environmental factors such as complex walls, distance to power sources and proximity and accessibility to the exterior utility box may prevent installation in this location. Try to choose an alternative location if your preferred location is not viable and discuss the options with your allocated installer.

You will need to schedule your preferred installation appointment with Real Telecom as they will manage this process for you.

Your provider will also confirm if your FTTP installation will require an authorised person over the age of 18 to be present during the installation – to give the installer internal and external access to your premises, to install the nbn™ connection box and Power Supply unit.

No, the outside equipment (nbn™ utility box) is just one part of the installation. To connect your premises to the nbn™ access network, you will need to order an nbn™ powered plan through Real Telecom. Real Telecom will then organise the install of your nbn™ equipment (nbn™ connection box and Power Supply unit) that will connect your premises to the nbn™ utility box outside.

An nbn™ Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connection is utilised where the existing copper phone and internet network from a nearby fibre node is used to make the final part of the connection to the nbn™ access network.

The fibre node is likely to take the form of a street cabinet. Each street cabinet will allow the nbn™ access network signal to travel over a fibre optic line from the exchange, to the cabinet, and connect with the existing copper network to reach your premises.

An nbn™ Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connection is used in circumstances where the existing ‘pay TV’ or cable network can be used to make the final part of the nbn™ access network connection. In this circumstance, an HFC line will be run from the nearest available fibre node to your premises.

HFC connections require an nbn™ access network device to be installed at the point where the line enters your home. This device requires power to operate and can be installed by an approved nbn™ installer or service provider.

An nbn™ FTTC connection is used in circumstances where fibre is extended close to your premises, connecting to a small Distribution Point Unit (DPU), generally located inside a pit on the street. From here, the existing copper network is connected to the fibre to form the final nbn™ connection. To power your FTTC service with electricity and provide your connection to the nbn™ broadband access network, an FTTC nbn™ connection box will be required inside your home or business. In some cases, you may be eligible to perform self-installation of the nbn™ connection box.