Quick answer: An nbn™ Fixed Wireless connection utilises data transmitted over radio signals to connect a premises’ to the nbn™ broadband access network.
This connection is typically used in circumstances where the distance between premises can be many kilometres. Data travels from a transmission tower located as far as 14 kilometres, to an nbn™ outdoor antenna that has been fitted to the premises by an approved nbn™ installer.
Fixed Wireless connections also require an nbn™ connection box to be installed at the point where the cable from the nbn™ outdoor antenna enters your premises. This device requires power to operate, and can only be installed by an approved nbn™ installer or phone and internet provider.
Landline phone and internet services won’t work if there is a power outage either within the Fixed Wireless network or within your premises. Restoring power to your premises with an alternative power option will have no effect if the Fixed Wireless network is also experiencing power loss. You should consider keeping a charged mobile phone in case there is a power outage of any sort.
The rollout of the nbn™ access network will involve new technologies which some existing devices may not be compatible with.
nbn™ Fixed Wireless installation process
Standard install process
The first step is to place an order for an nbn™ powered plan with the phone and internet provider of your choice. The provider will make an appointment for an nbn™ installer to attend the premises and test for a Fixed Wireless signal. Once the signal is acquired, the installer may put the nbn™ outdoor antenna on the roof of the main premises, under the eaves or on a wall. The nbn™ outdoor antenna can also be put on powered buildings (like a shed or garage) close to the main premises, with the nbn™ connection box inside the same building.
Non-standard install process
If you are unable to receive a suitable Fixed Wireless signal at your main premises, we will check whether one can be reached at another appropriate location on your property. If a suitable signal can be located, your installer will advise whether a non-standard install may be possible.
All non-standard installations must be carried out by an nbn™ approved installer. It’s important to note that NBN Co will not be able to install nbn™ supplied Fixed Wireless equipment on any resident-provided, non-standard structure. It is not possible for the NBN Co to determine whether infrastructure supplied or organised by a resident meets the necessary requirements.
If you would like to proceed with a non-standard install, your NBN Co installer will locate the ideal site for the antenna. If necessary, they will set up a ground mounted pole to achieve a suitable signal. This may happen during a subsequent site visit. After a signal is successfully received, your installer will connect the cable from the nbn™ outdoor antenna to the main premises. Your installer will then place an nbn™ connection box inside the main premises or in a powered building nearby.
Setting up your equipment
Fixed Wireless installation requests may require in-home cabling and include multiple devices to be installed inside and outside of your premises. The nbn™ connection box shown is designed for use inside the home. If your installation requires an external nbn™ connection box your device will differ to the one shown above.
Once the nbn™ equipment is installed, simply connect your nbn™ compatible modem to the UNI-D port (1-4) specified by us. If you have purchased a modem from Australia Broadband, it will compatible with all nbn™ technology types (including Fixed Wireless) and will be pre-configured with our Australia Broadband internet settings.
If you are using a BYO modem, it must be nbn™ compatible for it to work over the nbn™ access network. Visit Can I bring my own modem with Australia Broadband? for more information.
FAQs about Fixed Wireless
What nbn™ equipment will be provided for my Fixed Wireless connection?
Fixed Wireless installation requests may require in-home cabling and include multiple devices to be installed inside and outside of your premises. The nbn™ equipment to be installed may include an nbn™ outdoor antenna, an nbn™ connection box (inside or outside), and a wall outlet (inside). Your phone or internet provider will supply a gateway (router/modem) and the Ethernet cable to connect your devices as required.
How do I choose the best location for the nbn™ equipment?
Before your installation appointment, you will need to think about where you want the nbn™ connection box to be installed inside your house. Pick the best location using this checklist:
- Reasonably close to a power point
- A cool, dry, ventilated (NBN Co 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 known 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 Co 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 antenna 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 NBN Co installer.
What speeds can I expect for a Fixed Wireless service?
The Maximum Available Speed on the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network is between 25 Mbps and 50 Mbps. On nbn™ Fixed Wireless, the maximum nbn™ speed you can select when you place your order with us is our NBN Turbo (uses nbn™ 50) plan or a lower speed plan.
Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network, depends on; the configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during typical busy periods, such as evenings, when more people are online, and some factors outside our control (like how far away your premises is located from the transmission tower, your equipment quality, software, broadband plans, signal reception, the plan you choose from your provider, the performance of your modem, Wi-Fi, cabling and other devices in your premises)
Some locations have Fixed Wireless cells that can experience congestion. In those locations, speeds may be impacted by network congestion on NBN Co’s Fixed Wireless network, including during busy periods. This is outside Australia Broadband’s control
Read more about Internet Speeds
Will my existing copper services remain active when I connect to a service over the nbn™ access network?
The existing copper lines and services at your premises will not be altered or changed by connecting to an nbn™ Fixed Wireless service.
In Fixed Wireless areas, premises will have the choice to keep their existing phone service over the copper network active or switch over to Australia Broadband VoIP phone service.
Can I change my service technology from Fixed Wireless to Sky Muster™ satellite?
A premises’ eligibility for either service technology (Fixed Wireless or Sky Muster™ satellite) is subject to it first successfully passing a Fixed Wireless signal test. If the premises fails the test, it may then be considered for a Sky Muster™ satellite eligibility test.
It’s important to note that if a premise is eligible to receive a Fixed Wireless (or Fixed Line) service, it will not be eligible for a Sky Muster™ satellite service.
Australia Broadband does not offer or support Sky Muster™ satellite service. If your home can only connect to the nbn™ using the Sky Muster™ satellite service, you will need to contact an authorised nbn™ sky Muster™ satellite retail service provider.
I’ve been told I need a non-standard installation for my Fixed Wireless service. What does this mean, and what’s involved?
If your Fixed Wireless outdoor antenna can’t be installed on the roof, wall or gutter, it may need some other mounting arrangement (i.e., a pole). Your technician can advise you on what will be needed on the day of installation.
Additional charges may apply for non-standard installations.
I want to relocate my Fixed Wireless antenna, how do I do this?
If you need to have equipment or cables relocated, you’ll need to contact your provider so that they can advise you of the cost, and arrange for a technician to move the equipment. Things to consider for the new location of the nbn™ equipment:
- The nbn™ connection box must be protected from water, steam and excessive heat.
- The location of the nbn™ connection box must be well ventilated, near a dedicated power point, and with unrestricted access – to check the indicator lights.
- The nbn™ connect box must be positioned in a location away from busy areas and protected from damage, and with sufficient access and light to see if the device is functioning correctly.
- The nbn™ outdoor antenna location is determined by Radio Frequency performance. It may not be possible to relocate this to any other position on your premises.
- You are responsible for the cost of the relocation.