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Building or renovating: be internet‑ready from day one
A modern home runs on a fast, reliable internet connection. Our 6 steps help you plan for connectivity during construction or renovation, saving you time, money and headaches down the track.
3 minute read
Reliable internet soon after you get your keys
Getting your home internet sorted early is just as important as arranging your electricity and water. Planning for it during the construction phase can help you move straight into a home that's ready for working, streaming and powering your smart devices.
We offer four types of home internet: nbn®, Opticomm, 5g and Satellite. This article talks mainly about nbn and Opticomm (fibre) because they both need professional installation during your build, while 5G and Satellite can be set up after you move in.
Your construction‑to‑connection checklist
Six easy steps to help with a hassle-free transition into your new home.
1. Find out who your wholesale network provider is
Why this matters: so your builder knows what equipment to install and how your home will connect.
A wholesale network provider owns and operates telco infrastructure - including fibre, cables and mobile towers. For most of us it'll be nbn - or Opticomm for some new builds. Before cables go in, check which provider covers your address so your builder can plan correctly.
Who is my wholesale network provider?
2. Talk to your builder early
Why this matters: a quick chat now helps set you up for a successful Wi-Fi experience later.
It's always easier to think about where key equipment will go before the walls go up. This includes:
- Connection box location: where the nbn or Opticomm equipment will sit and what powerpoints it needs
- Modem placement: ideally central, elevated and away from thick walls or appliances, like fridges and microwaves
- Phone and data points: for phone line, modem and ethernet cables. Mark them on your floorplan
Article: 8 easy ways to improve your home internet
3. Arrange pre‑installation during construction
Why this matters: it prevents messy work later (like digging up your garden or driveway) - and it helps speed up your connection.
Once constuction is underway, ask your builder to submit a pre-installation request with nbn or Opticomm. This allows the network wholesaler to:
- Install the connection box
- Run the fibre lead-in cable
- Complete any necessary infrastructure work before walls are sealed and landscaping is done
Submit an nbn pre-installation request
Moving into an Opticomm connected community
4. Choose your home internet plan before you move in
Why this matters: you want enough time to help find the best plan to match your household usage.
Once your home's almost ready, it's time to choose your home internet plan. A new development fee may apply. This one-time charge is set by the network provider for establishing new infrastructure and applies, no matter which retailer you choose.
Choose your home internet plan
5. Know who's responsible for what
Why this matters: understanding this upfront makes the whole process smoother.
- nbn or Opticomm: connection up to your property boundary
- Builder or homeowner: internal wiring, powerpoints and equipment placement
- Apartments (Fibre to the Building): building or strata manager handles the building’s lead‑in (for telco connection cables) and must contact nbn
Article: Making sense of nbn technology
6. Organise relocation paperwork for knock‑down rebuilds
Why this matters: you need time to sort these things out.
If your existing home is already connected to the nbn, you may need to submit an nbn relocation request before demolition to make sure that:
- The existing connection box is safely removed
- The box can be relocated to the best spot in your new home
- Your new build can connect seamlessly once construction is done
Future-proof your home
nbn’s helpful guide walks you through everything you need to know when building or renovating - from cabling and equipment placement to simple ways of future‑proofing your new home for years to come.
Fact sheet: Optimising your internet set up when building or renovating (PDF, 1,943KB)
FAQs about home internet for a new build or renovation
Start planning as early as the construction phase, ideally before walls go up. Early planning helps your builder install the right wiring, powerpoints and equipment locations and allows your wholesale network provider (like nbn® or Opticomm) to complete any required pre‑installation work before your home is finished.
Your wholesale network provider (such as nbn or Opticomm) determines the type of infrastructure your home needs. Knowing this upfront helps your builder install the correct cabling and equipment, helps prevents delays and means there's a better chance of your home being connected quickly once construction is complete.
Yes! It's a great idea to choose your home internet plan before moving in. It will give you time to compare options, understand any new development fees and give you the best chance of having your home internet service ready to activate as soon as possible.
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Find the right internet plan for you
Whether you're streaming, gaming or working from home, there's an internet plan for you.
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