New developments
Introduction
The Australian Government considers that people moving into new homes should have ready access to affordable telecommunications services, including high-speed broadband. This is why the government introduced its fibre in new developments policy.
Policy
The Australian Government’s Fibre in New Developments policy provides for the installation of fibre-ready pit and pipe infrastructure by developers and the provision of fibre or interim fixed-line telecommunications services in new developments.
Connecting these premises to optical fibre early will provide occupants with ready access to next generation broadband and avoid costly retrofitting.
Under the policy, developers are responsible for arranging installation of telecommunications infrastructure in new developments. Developers may choose any carrier to provide telecommunications infrastructure to new developments.
Where they do not wish to use another provider, NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) and Telstra are the providers of last resort. The policy also requires developers to install the necessary pit and pipe infrastructure in the development before the telecommunications infrastructure can be rolled out.
Legislation
To support the government’s fibre in new developments policy, Part 21A of the Telecommunications Act 1997 provides for the installation of fibre-ready pit and pipe in new developments to enable the installation of optical fibre. Generally these provisions affect developers and installers of pit and pipe. More information is available on the department’s website .
To find out about deployment
If your home is in an NBN Co development, NBN Co’s rollout map indicates new developments where services are already available or the network is currently under construction. You can register to receive updates on progress by calling 1800 687 626.
If your development is not on this map, you should contact your developer or sales representative to find out which provider will be installing infrastructure in the estate.
Making your new home NBN-ready
If you are building a new home, a standard NBN connection requires a lead-in conduit from the street to your house (as would be the case with another telecommunications connection) and access to a power outlet for the installation of the Network Terminating Device, which should be done at the building stage.
Information on these requirements can be found on NBN Co’s website .
You should also consider how to cable your home to take maximum advantage of your service. You should consider your current and likely future needs and your budget.
In-house cabling should only be installed by registered cablers. More information is available from NBN Co and the ACMA .
If you are in a development where a carrier other than NBN Co is installing infrastructure, you will need to contact your developer or carrier for more information.
Accessing a retail service
Once your home is completed and fibre is connected, you will need to choose a retail service provider. A list of retail service providers providing services in NBN Co developments is available on its website. In other developments, you can contact your developer or carrier to find out what providers operate on the network.
Contacts
Questions about the network should be directed to the carrier installing infrastructure in your development. More information about the government’s policy is available on the department’s website. You can also email the department at greenfields@dbcde.gov.au , or write to:
Infrastructure Regulation,
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy,
GPO Box 2154,
CANBERRA ACT 2601
