nbn® Hybrid Fibre Coaxial explained (HFC)
nbn HFC made easy
All types of nbn network connections that utilise a physical line running to the premises are considered Fixed Line connections.
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 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 network device to be installed at the point where the line enters your home. This device requires power to operate.
nbn HFC installation
There are two ways nbn HFC can be installed at your premises – through an nbn approved installer or if eligible, through self-installation.
When you contact your phone and internet provider to connect to the nbn network, they will confirm which installation process applies to your premises.
Installation with an nbn approved installer
nbn HFC Preparing guide
Power outage information
Talk to 10MATES about whether your device will work during a blackout when connected to the nbn access network
Device compatibility
The rollout of the nbn access network will involve new technologies which some existing devices may not be compatible with.
Self-installation for eligible premises
Have questions?
After your phone and internet provider confirms your order, an appointment window will be scheduled and confirmed by us via SMS, please reply to this message with your preference. You will receive a call a few days before your installation appointment to confirm that all the requirements are ready – and to make sure that there will not be any access restrictions at the site on the day.
Note: You will need to call 10MATES if you wish to make an appointment outside of the appointment window or reschedule an existing appointment.
On the day of installation an nbn technician will visit your premises to complete the following tasks:
- Determine and discuss with you the location(s) to mount/install nbn supplied equipment.
- If necessary, install a lead-in cable from the street to your property.
- Install, activate and test the installed nbn supplied equipment.
- Clean up after they have finished the installation.
The installation may include ducting and drilling works. If your premises has a communications cabinet, access will need to be arranged with your building or property manager before your appointment. If you know of any nbn supplied equipment currently on site, be sure to let 10MATES know before the day.
Installation with existing pay TV or cable internet service:
A standard installation may take two to four hours. If there are complexities or if the coaxial cable is not connected to the nbn utility box (also referred to as a ‘PCD’), the installation may take longer – sometimes up to eight hours.
Yes. Someone over the age of 18 must be present at the premises for the entire duration of the installation.
Yes. If you wish to reschedule an installation, you will need to call 10MATES at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment to avoid any applicable charges.
Please note that you cannot reschedule an appointment via SMS.
Technicians aim to have all the required work completed in a single visit. Due to the complex and limiting nature of connecting some types of premises, there is the possibility that your technician may have to schedule an additional visit on another day to complete the installation.
Before your technician arrives, it is important to consider the possible internal (and external) mount and install locations of the nbn supplied equipment (nbn connection box and Power Supply Unit) – your technician will help advise where they can be installed. Be sure to discuss the location with your technician before they begin.
Things to consider when choosing the location of your nbn supplied equipment:
- No more than 80cm away from a power point – the equipment will need to stay plugged in.
- A cool, dry, ventilated area (not a damp or wet area such as a kitchen, bathroom, laundry or under a window that opens).
- Away from busy areas where it could be knocked or damaged.
- Somewhere easy for you to access and check the indicator lights.
- In the same building as the main electric meter box or distribution board (i.e. not in a detached garage).
If available, you may request to move the location of your main wall outlet free of charge as part of the installation process – you will then have two functioning wall outlets. The nbn connection box will be connected and activated on the new outlet, and the existing (old) outlet will continue to work if needed in the future.
You will be required to approve all aspects of the installation before the technician starts, so take the time to think about the install location(s). If you are not happy with all of the proposed locations or need further assistance, advise your technician that you do not want to progress with the installation and then contact 10MATES to discuss your options.
No, this step usually involves a simple self-installation – 10MATES will supply you with the instructions to complete this step. You will need to connect the provider-supplied modem to the yellow connector on the rear of the nbn connection box. Contact 10MATES if you need any help completing this step.
If you’re renting, you need to make your landlord aware that you want to install the required equipment, to ensure they do not object. If you’re not in direct contact with your landlord, contact your property manager or real estate agent.
When your technician has finished the installation, you should be able to self-install the provider-supplied modem and access your service – connecting the modem they have supplied you to the yellow connector on the rear of the nbn connection box.
The service activation process:
- We will notify 10MATES that your installation has been initiated.
- Your provider will then provision your service.
- Your technician finishes your installation – testing and activating your service.
- You can then self-install the provider-supplied modem – connecting the modem to the yellow connector on the rear of the nbn connection box.
- After a few minutes, the lights on your modem should light up and your service should be active.
If you encounter any issues activating your service, you will need to contact 10MATES for assistance. If you are switching providers, please allow two to three business days for us to liaise with 10MATES to activate your service.
nbn technicians do their best to keep every appointment and notify customers if they can no longer make the agreed time. On the rare occasion that a technician is delayed due to the complexities of another installation and misses your appointment, you will need to contact 10MATES to reschedule your appointment.
If you have a complaint regarding your installation experience, please refer to the Contact us section of our site.
If the requirements of the installation are ‘non-standard’, your technician will refer you to contact 10MATES to discuss options and/or potential charges that may be involved. There are some cases where you may be required to organise and pay for digging a trench to prepare your premises to connect to the nbn infrastructure.
No. If you are connecting to the nbn access network and also have a pay TV service (i.e. Foxtel), your technician will use a splitter to distribute the single connection across two cables; one to your TV or set-top box, and the other to the nbn connection box.
To allow full functionality of your pay TV services, we recommend that you connect your TV or set-top box to 10MATES-supplied modem via ethernet or Wi-Fi. Talk to your pay TV provider if you need more assistance with this setup.
If you’re moving, you should leave the nbn supplied equipment at your old premises.
Any nbn supplied equipment, including the nbn connection box (also known as the Network Termination Device (NTD)), should stay at the current address – please do not take it with you. The nbn equipment is registered to the specific address, therefore will not work or be compatible with your new premises. You won’t be able to use it at your new address, and it cannot be re-sold as it is property of nbn.
Additionally, by removing the nbn supplied equipment, you may make it harder for the new owner or occupant of the premises you’re moving from to connect to the nbn network.