Headache Getting nbn Connected - Need Advice

In June I moved into a new property which I purchased earlier in the year. I had already setup an nbn order with Aussie Broadband and scheduled a nbn tech to get me connected on day 1. At that point, and when I purchased the property, it was listed as Ready for Connection.

After the tech came around, I was told there was a lack of infrastructure on the street and some work would need to be done before I could be connected. From that day, nbn have strung me along with a series of promised and missed remediation dates (4 total now) where they've assured me the issue would be fixed, only to push it back arbitrarily another month (or so).

I work from home - and I'm using mobile data in the meantime. I've used several devices, with two different carriers (Telstra, TPG) and the connection just isn't stable in my area. I get disconnects and random bandwidth spikes many times a day. Anyway, about 2 months ago, they missed another remediation date after ensuring me it would get done. Since then I have:

  • Opened a Complaint with Aussie Broadband (They told me there's nothing they can do. They're at the mercy of nbn. Eventually closed it.)
  • Opened an nbn Case (It was closed arbitrarily, saying the issue will be fixed on x date. It wasn't.)
  • Opened a TIO Complaint (It's since progressed through several steps, but it doesn't seem to have helped so far.)
  • Emailed the office of the Minister of Communications (After weeks, I got a canned response back saying they need my address to help. My address was actually in the original email I sent them. Replied, and haven't heard back since.)
  • Emailed the office of the Shadow Minister of Communications (Didn't hear back)

Then, 3 weeks ago I had some nbn techs randomly knock on my door. They told me they were finally going to connect me. After an hour of digging up my garden, they said they would need to call out another team because there was a blockage. The other team arrived a few days later, relocated one of my plants (which ended up dying) and assured me I was all connected. Anyway 2.5 weeks later, it's still not resolved. I'm not sure what those two groups of techs actually accomplished - apart from killing that plant. And just to be clear, I'm not mentioning the plant because I'm bitter about it. It's just funny that I still don't have nbn and now I've also got a dead plant.

My reason for posting is to see if anyone's had similar experiences. What's my next course of action?

TLDR;
nbn say they'll get me connected. They don't. Rinse and repeat. I've tried some things (above) but they don't seem to have worked. Has anyone had any experience with this? What else can I do?

Comments

  • +1

    Have you tried Optus mobile data?

    The rest sounds very frustrating.

    • No, just Telstra and TPG. You think Optus mobile might have a better signal in Outer Melbourne than Telstra?

      • +2

        Check their coverage map. You might even be able to get their 5G home internet for a better price than NBN.

      • +1

        It is possible as its just a matter of where the Optus transmitter is.

        You can get an app for mobile phones that tell where the nearest towers are and which telco is using them.

        Optus have a wireless home broadband product that uses 4G. If you need more data, I believe Tangerine resell Optus 4G home data plans with a higher download limit.

  • +2

    It is remit of NBNCo . Just have to wait out.

    I moved into a new complex several years ago, NBNCo didn't recognise it has multiple units at the address for over six months. And once NBNCo finally enabled our address, I had to wait for another month because the builder wired copper from the front instead of using fibre optics for FTTP.

    In the mean time I paid Telecube the $300 to get NBN connected, and they went bust half way through and had to pay AussieBB another $300 to continue. Luckily, AussieBB refunded the second $300.

    Would not blame AussieBB for your saga, but you already complained at them so a bit late.

    • I agree, I don’t blame Aussie. I initially tried to open up a complaint with NBN but I was told the only avenue to do this was via the ISP.

      • Ah I see. I misread ya, my bad.

    • And during the eight months I SIM hopped between Kogan/catch, meet the new customer wait period while not exceed five registered prepaid mobile number!

      Oh, and the hotspot we used 24/7 - it overheated and the battery bulged out so badly.

  • +1

    Easiest solution would be getting a 5G unlimited connection like Spintel or Optus

    • No 5G in the area yet unfortunately. 4G on Telstra and TPG have been unreliable in my area, but there are other telcos I could potentially try.

      • +1

        4G on Telstra have been unreliable in my area

        For me Telstra is the most reliable 4G connection. I can work with Telstra 1.5 Mbps than high speed other ISPs.
        Did you try Optus 4G ? They used to have 200GB, 500GB packages. I used to have a Optus 200GB for $60 mobile broadband (no speed limit) back then.

        • Yeah Optus might have to be my next step.

          • +2

            @mboy: Better to check with a prepaid sim before committing to a contract :)

        • +1

          I remote desktop just fine with Telstra shaped 1.5mbps internet. It's really quite uncharacteristically generous of Telstra to give up all the overuse charges.

  • +1

    If you're getting real NBN installed then stick with the waiting. Use 4G or 5G mobile data in the meantime.

  • +2

    Maybe contact your local MP and see if they can help.

    • Good idea. I’ll give this a try. Thanks.

  • +2

    So it sounds like they remediated the infrastructure in the street but then the lead in conduit from the pit to the side of your house was damaged or blocked. The techs who do the installs don't get paid to fix civils issues like conduits. So they've kicked it back to an nbn civils crew to come out and fix. Once they (civils) have done the conduit fix usually the install techs will come back to finish the install so not sure why the civils crew say you are connected, did someone leave an nbn ntd with you?

    • Ah that’s my bad - I didn’t explain that part properly. The second team that came out (civils, as you call them) fixed the blockage, finished the first team’s work and then performed what they essentially described as a ‘connectivity test’, which they told me was successful.

      I’m now waiting for a final nbn tech to come out and finish the connection (ie. install an nbn ntd) - but Aussie BB have let me know that can’t happen until nbn mark my property as RFS. Two and a half weeks later, my property is still listed as “There’s still work to do before your premises is ready to connect” and nbn won’t comment. Aussie BB has tried a few times to reach out to them with no response.

      • +1

        Gotcha. Paperwork delay somewhere maybe. I assume the Civils/Techs would have to close the ticket or something like that for your property to go RFS. Wonder if there is a lag or they forgot to do it or something. Sorry can't help further.

  • +1

    What's the situation as far as cabling is concerned? Have they managed to pull through a cable to the connection point on the house?

    • Hi mate, yes that’s my understanding. As far as cabling is concerned, I’ve was told by the last techs who came out that it’s all done. But despite that, my property still hasn’t been marked as RFS, so potentially there are still other issues or I’ve been lied to?

      • +1

        Given that this is NBN we are talking about, you can never really be sure that what they say is legit. If the cabling has been taken care of, it shouldn't be too hard for them to at least send a tech to double check that there is no active connection available. I would also be talking to your neighbours to see what their situation is.

        Is this a new build? Or would it potentially have been built with an old copper connection?

        • My thoughts exactly. This time they’ve been completely silent when Aussie BB attempts to get an update - so I’m assuming something else is amiss.

          The property was built 5 years ago. Two of my neighbors are having the same issue but gave up a long time ago and settled for a mobile connection, which even they say isn’t ideal.

  • +1

    Hi mboy,

    Let me first say that I am so sorry for such an awful experience.

    I am somewhat affiliated with nbn, and might be able to reach out to some people internally within nbn (i.e. not just customer reps), if you're ok with that? I can't promise anything, but I can give it a try.

    Kind regards,
    Theresa

    • Hi Theresa. That would be great. My private messages are on if you want to shoot me a message. I can’t shoot you one because it doesn’t appear you’ve switched messaging on your account. Thanks.

      • That's because apparently you can't direct message for new accounts. I registered an account just for this topic. I'll just risk putting my email on here and put my faith in humanity: [email protected]

        I'd need your location ID to look at your order in the system, would you be ok to email that through to my email above?

        Kind regards,
        Theresa

        • Hi Theresa. In a twist, I got a call from my ISP just a moment ago saying NBN are pushing this through the workflow and it should be ready by tomorrow. I’ll believe it when I see it. Feel free to remove your email for now, I’ve grabbed it. If I don’t hear back anything by early next week, i’ll bother you then! Thanks.

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