Super Short NBN HFC Cable?

jellykingdom on 10/01/2019 - 08:28

I just had NBN installed at my place, using HFC. I wasn't home at the time (my wife was still off work from Xmas), but the installer gave me a ring while he was setting up the NBN connection box to say that he was only able to provide a 1m coaxial cable

It's not really that big of a deal because i was able to tuck it behind my TV, but has anyone else had the same experience? I was pretty surprised they don't just cut a length of coaxial on site and install where you like. I can imagine most people would struggle with only 1m of cable to find a reasonable hidey hole for the box

Thanks y'all

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • redfox1200 on 10/01/2019 - 08:45
    +1

    did you already have a foxtel outlet installed? the 1m cable is probably what came in the box with the modem.

  • Melb69 on 10/01/2019 - 08:58
    +3

    This NBN roll out is one of the most poorly run programs. At least you now have it. The installer will usually locate the point to an external room in the easiest location for them. I think we only had enough extra cable for the internal box to go on our study desk. They set up and left.

    If you do want more length I can only suggest you try your ISP. If its Optus forget it. Might be easier to get one from Jaycar or the like.

    We spent months adamant that we didn't want our HFC to be overhead as I didn't want the possum freeways into our house. Told we couldn't have it as HFC were overhead (old Foxtel cables). We have a pole in the front corner of our property which had a newly installed pit by Telstra. 6mths later from the start of actually wanting to get NBN connected we got what we wanted. Went through MyRepublic. Useless IMO. Then switched to Aussie Broadband who were great, but it was really NBN corp who were difficult. We still had to chase up with NBN and Ombudsman to get it done.

    We were constantly told we couldn't have it put in underground and then told we could, but would need to pay. Well one day my wife so happened to see an NBN guy on the pole connecting the rear unit across the road. Wife spoke to the guy and said we are waiting for someone for months to put cables underground for us. He said he was putting underground cables for that unit. WTF. For months NBN were telling us we couldn't have it underground and had to pay. By the way we were told it was going to cost us 1k to $1.5k. I was comfortable with this as long as it was installed properly. In the end it was free. Lucky for us, but ours is an unusual connection as most people we gather wouldn't care.

    Easiest was way was overhead. But I'm sure the neighbour across the road didn't have to push a barrel up hill. It would seem the installers who are subbied out make little money from the connections hence why the short cuts. The other neighbour across the road had their overhead cable randomly put 1m into their tiled roof and with ugly cabling.

    This installer called his boss, and the installer said he gave the ok and the he would be back the next day to install it underground. Was installed and he also ran another point from the stud to the kitchen where our old landline was so we could still have a phone working from there. The next day another guy rocks up and says hes here to come and give us a quote for underground NBN. WTF. No wonder why people are loosing there hair and sleep over these connections.

  • Lord Fart Bucket on 10/01/2019 - 09:06

    Be glad you have it. Where I live has dropped off the roll out map and NBN are now saying they have no idea when they’ll get to it. Street does not exist according to NBNco. Even though it’s been here for a good 25 years,

    • Melb69 on 10/01/2019 - 09:30

      Write to the ombudsman. Get your neighbours to do the same. Act now to get the process going.

  • daalinz on 10/01/2019 - 09:11

    I don't have HFC NBN, but I wonder if it's a standard coaxial cable from wall to modem? If it is, it could be a RG6 coaxial cable with a F type connector. Does is look something like this (https://www.bunnings.com.au/antsig-5m-rg6-quad-shield-cable-…)? I could be wrong.

    • Melb69 on 10/01/2019 - 09:18

      Yeah Just checked mine now and it looks similar. The 1m cable they provided would be the one with the box for NBN modem. OP is best to just go to Bunnings and try there.

      • daalinz on 10/01/2019 - 09:22

        If this is the same cable, then those contractors are really lazy. It costs probably up to a few dollars to make a cable of a few metres and should take an experienced cabler about 1 minute (cutting and crimping). They are probably not wanting to do the work because they don't get paid for it (or have tight schedules).

        • Melb69 on 10/01/2019 - 09:26

          Correct. From what I have read the larger companies being outsourced to install NBN are then subbing out work again to other tradies in bulk. So if your property is difficult to connect it will likely be left till last. Hence why we probably had the brickwall to get HFC underground. Even though in actual fact is may be a simple job. We already had a pit which had our phone line through it to our house that they ended up using. Which on numerous occasions other installers we spoke to said could be done. Just that head NBN CS were shite and not even knowing their mandate. IMO.

          I think also with the cable its what was in the kit, so no allowance for extra or the time to much around. Get in get out.

  • Topdog on 10/01/2019 - 10:57

    You can get a coax cable made at any length you want at bunnings, and its not expensive either..

  • pok on 10/01/2019 - 11:07

    I asked the installer if he had a longer cable and he made one up for me in a few minutes.

  • mafroew on 10/01/2019 - 11:16
    +1

    I've got NBN HFC and the installer put the outlet exactly where I asked him to.

    The 1m is what comes in the box.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2019 - 12:22

    Just go to bunnings, altonics and get a longer cable. I bought a 10m cable for $25.

  • Gandalf the Thrifty on 10/01/2019 - 13:34
    -1

    The whole nbn process is dodgy.
    We had some random turn up on a Sunday arvo to check and replace the external cable connections nearly year after we had cable swapped to hfc nbn. He didn't knock on door, just went to box and started work. I had to go out and ask him what he was doing.

  • jellykingdom on 10/01/2019 - 13:45

    Thanks everyone. I do obviously know I can just go get a new one from Bunnings, but I was just curious if the installer was supposed to make one up on the site. If i go get another one, i have to pay (again not a big deal really)

    And yeah I've heard plenty of dodgy installer stories from people getting fibre installs where the installer just wants to put the box next to the front door etc

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