I'm planning to sign up to an ISP on a NBN plan in a new development area (newly built apartment block). I've been advised by Exetel, Belong, Telstra, TPG that they are all passing on the NBN Co connection fee of $300 to me.
Is there any way that I can avoid paying this one-off connection fee? Are there any ISPs out there that are willing to absorb this?
I'm a bit overwhelmed by the different technologies. Is FTTB different to NBN?
The onsite building manager has been in the loop on the NBN connection to the building which was completed recently. He has said that NBN is the only infrastructure available and it is not possible to connect to ADSL (no copper wire onsite).
I found this article by NBN Co.
http://www.nbnco.com.au/develop-or-plan-with-the-nbn/new-dev…
FttB = NBN or TPG
FttB is Fibre to the Basement and then copper to each apartment.
FttB is roughly equivalent to FttN (Fibre to the Node), but is used exclusively for Apartment blocks.
If you do not have copper wire installed from basement to your apartment, then I don't think you can get FttB NBN.
I think you need to ask your Building Manager more questions.
From that link it looks like my undersdtandiong of the New Development fee is incorrect.
They're "required" to charge that fee for each new development even if they don't need to run a new drop! (It's even more of a farce than I already thought!)
The only way any ISP is going to waive that fee is if you sign up for a VERY long contracted time.. longer than 24 months. I don't actually think you'll find anyone though.
Spintel is the only ISP I found where the website makes no reference to the $300 New Development fee. I wonder if they absorb this.
Lol not likely, this will be explained to you before the actual sign up. If its a rental property the landlord will repay this cost
The $300 cost is charged for the first connection to each NBN-enabled premises. Even if there is an NTU installed in your new apartment for FTTP, if no-one else has had an NBN connection in your apartment, your ISP will be charged that fee, and I would expect them all to pass it through to you.
I certainly wouldn't expect the landlord to compensate you for this either…
99% sure that's complete rubbish!
The new Development fee replaces the very similar $299 fee that Telstra charge to connect your new home to the phone network in areas where NBN has gone live and Telstra have stopped selling access to the old telephone system. It's there to recover some of the costs involved in phsically adding your "new Development" to the network.
How is what you said any different to what I said?
the first connection to each NBN-enabled premises. Even if there is an NTU installed in your new apartment for FTTP, if no-one else has had an NBN connection in your apartment, your ISP will be charged that fee
Implies that EVERY house will be charged the $300 fee.
This is not correct.
If you have an NTU installed, already then you're already physically connected to the network and wont be charged a fee.
Similarly if you're in a FttN area and you already have a live telephone line (whether it be for NakedADSL or a telephone service), then you are already physically connected to the network and wont be charged the fee.
If you have an NTU installed, already then you're already physically connected to the network and wont be charged a fee.
I don't believe that to be correct. In a new apartment development for example, it's likely the NBN NTU's will already be installed. As there has not yet been an active service on that NTU though, the new development fee will be incurred.
If you've got evidence to the contrary, I'd love to see it.
@robberbutton:
But I'm not talking about new builds..
I'm talking about existing buildings with existing, functional infrastructure.
They will not be getting NTU's at all, they'll be getting FttB and a VDSL modem just like FttN serviced houses.
I don't know about Apartments, the linked doecument above indicates that they'll be charging the $300 for everyone in a FttB scenario, but for houses with existing, live, infrastructure, there is no $300 new development fee..
Source: my own NBN connection, I had ADSL, and have applied for NBN (should already be connected, but they've cancelled 2 appointments) and I have been told by my ISP (Aussie Broadband)that I am not being charged a $300 new development fee despite being on a $0 setup, no contract "plan".
@robberbutton:
That wasn't very clear when you started out with
The $300 cost is charged for the first connection to each NBN-enabled premises.
Without selective reading, you'd notice the word "apartment" included twice in the following sentence…
I think iiNet will absorb $50 of the $300 if you sign up to a 24 month plan. I haven't found a anyone that will absorb the whole lot though.
yeah Internode said they will give existing customers who move $30 off. very generous
Are the ISP's aware that your place is a Multi Dwelling Unit and will presumably therefore be a FttB connection?
Does the building not have some sort of networking connection to your apartment already?
The $300 New Development charge is a direct replacement for the charge that Telstra charge to connect a new drop line to a house.
Try signing up for Belong ADSL (unlikely if your area is NBN live already).
Otherwise, Highly unlikely.
This is one of those elements that help LNP claim that their NBN is "Cheaper". They've passed on the costs to you… with the NTU/Modem and Installation now user-side costs instead of NBN-side costs.