NBN or the National Broadband Network is now being put into place across the whole country but is your home ready to receive it? There will be notifications about when the older ADSL services are to be disconnected so if you do not want to see your service interrupted, you need to get ready. Making the move is a good thing, see your speed boosted and an improved and reliable service overall. Your service provider will take care of the network cabling, though in some cases the lead-in cable may need a private installer. The NBN will make sure you have enough cabling to move from the NBN box or MDF too.

What is an NBN check-up?

An NBN check-up will involve them doing;

  1. A socket inspection and lead-in cable check
  2. On your home cabling, they will do an insulation resistance test
  3. Make sure the wiring is in place for the NBN technology when it comes

The socket inspection

Many homes have what is referred to as a first socket which is what the lead-in cable comes to. This socket is important to connect to the network and the NBN should always go to the first socket otherwise if you use another socket that could impact the speed of your service because of the bridge it causes. If you need to upgrade the sockets or add a new socket for the NBN you can.

Checking your home cabling

It is possible you might have some concerns about whether the cables you have now can handle the speed of the NBN. When you live in an older building, and you have cabling that is perhaps 20 years or older, then it is a good idea to have it checked out by an expert. That way you can either relax if it turns out to be fine or you can get new cabling ready. When problems happen, as they do, sometimes it is because of problems with home wiring or connection.

The cable testing will look at a number of things including insulation resistance. Good cabling technicians will offer you a written report as well as explain things in terms you understand. If something needs changing that is included in the report as well as a quote for the work. Sometimes, smaller issues can be solved by a professional right then. But when the problem is larger, you may need to schedule them to come do the work another time.

Checking the right cables are there

If you are not on FTTP then the NBN is a hybrid of technologies HFC, FTTN, Fixed Wireless, FTTB and FTTC. The type of cable you need depends on how the service is being delivered to you. A technician can check that you have the right cables. Most people will learn they have old copper cabling, but a lot do not have what is required to handle the speeds the NBN offers. If that is your case too, the technician can advise you on what you need to do to prepare.