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A Network Termination Device (nbn NTD), sometimes also known as a Network Termination Unit (NTD) or an nbn Connection Box is the device installed at your premises that your nbn connection plugs into from the nbn network, whether it be delivered by Fibre (FTTP), Copper (FTTN/FTTB), Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC), Wireless or Satellite.

You subsequently plug your router or modem into the nbn NTD, which allows you to access the internet.

When installed, the nbn NTD will be mounted on a wall inside your premise. NTD’s may look different on a premise by premise basic, but may look like the following image.

Image: An example nbn NTD installed at a customer premises (source: Barry Electronics)

An nbn NTD was described by one of our customers like the telephone wall socket at their home, where once they’d plugged in a phone and modem, they could get access to a phone and broadband service. While it’s a bit more complex than that, it is a good non-technical explanation of how an NTD applies to you in connecting to the internet when you sign up for an nbn service.

Location of the nbn NTD in your premise

When the nbn engineer arrives to install the service at your premise, they will suggest where to best place the NTD and will generally be close to an existing wall socket (in the case of FTTN, FTTB, HFC) or close to the best entry point into the premise for the new nbn connection (for FTTP, Wireless or Satellite).

When choosing a location for the NTD, consider the most optimal location between the entry point (wall socket) and where your existing equipment is located, preferably in a dry, cool location away from dust, dirt or equipment that may interfere with the NTD.

If your location between the nbn NTD and your equipment is some distance, you may need to engage a certified data cabler to run an appropriate connection between the NTD and your equipment at your expense, as this isn’t a service provided by nbn, the nbn engineer or innoTel.

Connecting your equipment into the nbn NTD

The NTD has a number of ports available to plug network cables into. These ports will be marked as:

• UNI-V1 & UNI-V2 (RJ12 plug type); and
• UNI-D1, UNI-D2, UNI-D3 and UNI-D4 (RJ45 plug type)

The different sets of ports provide different services;

UNI-V ports typically provide phone services, however these are not used with innoTel nbn services

UNI-D ports provide data or Broadband services. innoTel uses these to provide both nbn Broadband and Phone (VoIP) services to its customers.

Image: A view of the nbn NTD ports (source: Wikimedia)

When you sign up for an nbn plan with innoTel, we will advise you which UNI-D port to connect your router to.

A graphical example of where an nbn NTD lives within the nbn network and your premise looks something like:

Image: Indicative diagram of an nbn installation (source: innoTel)

Now you know a bit more about what an nbn NTD or nbn connection box is, why not sign-up for an nbn broadband plan?

At innoTel, we get a lot of questions specifically about connecting business to the nbn^tm and what needs to be taken into account.

Here’s a quick run-down of what you need to consider;

The following may vary for some customers and locations, but is generally what needs to be considered and what happens throughout the process.

Check your existing equipment

Router – is you current router up to task?

Only a small number of routers (otherwise known as modems or modem/routers) operational today are capable of connecting to all nbn^tm network types. Depending on the network and technology type used to deliver an nbn^tm connection to your business, you may need to consider upgrading.

Your internal network

Given the faster speeds now available over the nbn^tm, it might also be time you looked at your internal network to ensure you can get the most out of an nbn^tm broadband connection.

Make sure Network Switches and Wi-Fi Access points are up to the task and give you the opportunity to enjoy the faster speeds that an nbn^tm connection is capable of bringing.

Alarms (including Security, Fire and Emergency alarms)

If you have any type of Alarm fitted at your premise, you’ll need to speak to your alarm provider to check if it will continue to work when the nbn^tm is connected at your premise.

nbn^tm connections do away with the traditional landline (PSTN) phone service, which most alarm systems use to send information back to the alarm provider.

Your alarm provider will be able to advise what steps need to be taken to ensure your alarm continues to work when the nbn^tm is installed at your premises.

EFTPOS terminals (including Health claim terminals)

Like alarms, some EFTPOS and Heath claim (HiCAPS) terminals, particularly older ones, use the traditional landline networks to transmit data back to your bank or health provider.  Contacting the bank or supplier is your best bet to ensure you can continue to process payments and claims after the nbn^tm  is installed at your premise.

Ordering

When the nbn^tm is ‘live’ or coming live in your area, you’ll receive notification from nbn usually through a letterbox drop. At this point, you can start discussing your needs with a provider on which service and plan is right for you.

innoTel can help you find the right service and nbn broadband plan for your business’ needs with just a few simple questions.

Don’t leave ordering your nbn^tm service until the last minute. What we’ve seen happen is a flood of orders come in at the same time and there aren’t enough nbn^tm sub-contractors to get all the connections done within a short time-frame. Keeping this in mind, you’ll be able to make the transition to an nbn^tm broadband connection smoothly.

Installation

Installation of an nbn^tm broadband service is performed by qualified nbn^tm sub-contractors. A standard installation on average takes 3-4 hours to complete and you must be present at your premises during the installation.

In some cases, multiple visits by an nbn^tm sub-contractor will be required and these multiple visits can be across different days.

nbn^tm contractors will install a Network Termination Device (NTD), in your premises in the most convenient location based on the entry point of the nbn^tm wiring into your premises. You can read more about what an nbn NTD is on our blog.

This may result in the NTDnot being installed in the same location as your current communications equipment, however, it is best to discuss with this with the sub-contractor prior to beginning the installation on the day.

If the NTDis installed in a different location, the cost of wiring from the NTDto your communications equipment will need to be covered by you.

Once installed, the sub-contractor will test the service to ensure it is working correctly.

Post-Installation

Once the sub-contractor has connected the NTDand has confirmed the service is operational, you’ll need to go ahead and plug in your configured modem/router  into the NTD.

If you’ve supplied a compatible modem/router, then you’ll need to configure it by entering various settings into the device. innoTel can supply the settings that work in most devices, or innoTel also supply pre-configured nbn^tm ready modem/routers that all you need to do is plug in and you’re on your way.

If everything is configured, you should now be able to access the internet and enjoy using your new nbn connection.

What if I don’t connect to the nbn^tm ?

For most businesses that rely on ADSL/ADSL2+ Broadband and traditional PSTN phone lines, among others, when the nbn^tm is rolled out in your area there will be a period of time you’ll be given to make the switch. If you don’t make the switch and connect to the nbn^tm, you could be left with no Internet or Phone services, depending on the roll-out area and technology used to deliver an nbn^tm connection to your premises.

It’s always worth checking in with innoTel to see when your area is going live and when the deadline for cutovers is.

You’ll want to leave yourself plenty of time to switch across. For example, picking up the phone 2-months from the cut-off date could delay your installation and leave you with no services, particularly if everyone in your area has the same idea!

Need to get connected to the nbn^tm? Contact innoTel today and we’ll help you find the right service and nbn^tm broadband plan.