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Moving home? Six steps to hassle-free internet and Wi-Fi

Life in a new home poses a fresh set of questions - but your internet connection doesn't have to be one of them.
5 min read
Published on 04 Apr, 2021

Remember the days when moving house meant irritating internet-free days, or even weeks?

Gone are the days when you were forced to rely on data-eating ‘hot spots' to communicate with your friends, stay up to date with work, or access the latest news. Put down the phone, people.

Now that we're spending more time at home than ever, few can afford a bad Wi-Fi connection. By following these six easy steps, you can adjust to life in your new home knowing that a touch and go internet connection won't let you down.

Step 1: Check nbn is available in your suburb

As one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Australian history, the nbn network provides connectivity to homes and businesses across the country. Before reaching out in search of an internet plan, you may want to research nbn network availability in your area – as this will be the first question customer support will need to confirm with you.

If the nbn network has reached your suburb, it's likely that you will receive an email or letter informing you of the exciting upgrade. But if you're unsure, the easiest way to find out what kind of nbn technology type is available at your new address is via the nbn rollout map.

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With the initial nbn network rollout now complete, this may not affect the majority of Australian homes and businesses. But if the nbn network hasn't yet arrived in your area and is on its way, it's worth being aware of the exact date most of the existing network will be replaced.

After the rollout date has been announced, this cut-off date will be 18 months from that point, giving you plenty of time to find a new provider and select a deal that suits.

Step 2: Understand your new connection type

When it comes to connecting to the nbn network, there are different technology types available depending on where you live.

Fibre to the node (FTTN)

Fibre to the node (FTTN) is the most popular; it relies on fibre-optic cable reaching a box on your street, which then stretches to your house using copper wire.

Hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC)

The hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) connection is similar to FTTN, but it piggies on the back of available pay TV cables. As it is dependent on the existence of a pay TV connection, it is slightly less popular but still reaches an impressive 21 percent of the country.

Fibre to the premises (FTTP)

The most reliable fixed line connection is fibre to the premises (FTTP); it has the capacity to support the highest internet speeds and is considered very reliable. A network termination device (NTD) is required. More information is available here.

Young woman renters streaming on their couch

Less common connections

Three of the less popular connection types – each accounting for less than 10 per cent of connections in Australia – are fibre to the building (FTTB), fibre to the curb (FTTC), and fixed wireless.

FTTB is most often found in apartment buildings, and is reliant on a fibre optic node connecting to a mutual console within the building and then transferring the internet line to each individual apartment.

FTTC utilises your existing phone line outside your premises, usually in a pit or at the curb, and it connects to a self-installation box within your home. Occasionally, this connection does not require an expert to set-up.

Fixed wireless is the most self-explanatory of the bunch, and is most popular in remote locations where the transmission tower is kilometres away. It requires an authorised level of expertise to set-up.

Step 4: Compare plans, providers and overall experience

Now for the fun part. With countless service providers – including AGL – offering an increasing number of great value deals, internet services are more affordable than ever before.

If you already have your gas or electricity with AGL, you can save money on your internet bill if you sign up to an AGL's internet plan – plus, you can enjoy the convenience of aligning your essentials in one place.

Important things to consider when selecting a plan that best suits you are: internet speed, data amount, length of contract term, monthly costs and whether there are potential savings to be made if you have more than one service connected with the same provider – like your mobile phone, electricity or gas.

Couple sitting on lounge looking at mobile

Step 5: Check out your equipment and modem

Generally, you can bring your current modem across to your new internet package, but it does depend on specifications and the type of internet connection available in your area. If you do need a new modem, it can be purchased online, in tech hardware stores or requested from your internet provider.

While it's increasingly common not to connect a landline phone in your home, you can choose to package a home phone plan with your nbn plan for little cost.

Step 6: Enjoy your new internet service

This is perhaps the most important step of the lot – log on to the internet and make the most of the nbn network.

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