My house doesn't exist according to NBNCo despite being connected 4yrs ago

According to the previous owners, my house was connected to NBN HFC network about 4 years ago, but I still can’t get NBN.

It's my current PPOR which I purchased about 3 years ago.

Current street address is #42, and neighbor is #40.

I’ve been paying $80/m to Telstra for an unlimited ADSL2+ connection because NBNCo and all ISPs show it is my only option for internet. I could go 4G or 5G but according to the coverage map I am about 5 meters away from being able to receive 5G home internet, so Telstra won’t let me sign up.

Last year I got sick of slow internet and asked Telstra if I could get NBN. They said my house didn’t exist according to NBNCo so I had a look on their website.
NBNCo think my house number is #40 and my neighbor’s house is #40A.

I was instructed by Telstra to submitted a new development application on the NBNCo website last year, uploading survey plans, proof of ownership of property, lot/plan details outlining the correct location and address. A few weeks after applying I had no less than 4 different contractors knock on my neighbor’s door (#40) wanting to to check my house a new NBN connection. All of them were surprised and confused that the addresses were wrong and saw my house was already connected to the NBN network. They opened up the grey box outside and did a signal test on the coaxial cable to verify the signal was there. All said yes, I am good to go – just get your ISP to order a new NTD for self install. I am missing the Arris CM8200 box inside – which I believe the previous owners removed then lost when they moved house.

My "new development" case was approved all in mid-Feb 2021. NBNCo sent me letter saying my house is now is ready for me to sign up to an ISP of my choice. I notice the map still hadn't been fixed to send them a message about it…it's been 6 weeks, no response and still not fixed.

I've now signed up with TPG who think my address does not exist (again). I tell them the confusion about #40/#42/40A and they find that #40 has two ID’s allocated and one of them is currently in use (my neighbor). Send TPG more information to prove I own #42 (the house that still doesn’t exist according to NBNCo).

NBNCo have now identified the correct ID and told TPG which one I need to connect to but want to charge me $300 for a new connection? Why does NBNCo need to charge me another $300 for a new connection if I’m already connected? What will they do for the $300? Install a box and cable that's already there?

TPG connection status is currently ‘on hold’ waiting for NBN and they told me to call the 1800 NBNCo number. The 1800 number is useless - I believe it is an unmanned phone recording as none of the options lead to an operator. I’ve been sending messages through the NBNCo New applications portal but they nobody is responding.

I also believe there is a shortage of these Arris boxes at the moment anyway. So sick of this, why is NBNCo so incompetent? Am I being blackmailed into paying $300 because it’s part of the process, even though I’m already apparently connected to NBN? WTF do I do now? I can't speak to anyone at NBNCo and the only way TPG will connect me is if I pay the $300 NBNCo is asking for, keep using my ADSL2+ or upgrade to a 4G connection.

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Comments

  • Try another ISP. TPG is not the only middleman for NBN.
    A similar situation happened for a client but I went with Aussie Broadband. The process took a while (over a year) but they contacted NBN and took care of everything.
    After 1 month then you can go back to TPG (but why).

    What will they do for the $300? Install a box and cable that's already there?

    Because you submitted a "new development" premise. NBN will charge this to ISP which gets passed on to the customer.

    I am missing the Arris CM8200 box inside – which I believe the previous owners removed then lost when they moved house.

    If what the previous owners said are true and the Arris box is the only thing missing, you can just grab one off Gumtree or borrow someone's Arris (neighbours?) and connect it at the socket at your house and let the ISP detect it.

    • +1

      Yes I know TPG are just the middlemen, but that's because we can't talk to NBN and NBN will refer you back to the ISP. That's what all their phone recordings on their contact number say.

      I was instructed by Telstra to create a new development application in order for NBNCo to recognise and fix my address to #42. At the time, they thought I was #40 and my neighbor was #40A. I just looked again 5 mins ago on the NBNCo website they've now changed my address to #40 and my neighbor to #42A…….WTF!! I am #42 and my neighbor is #40. How hard is it to get that right???

    • $300 doesn't apply for a missing address and previously connected addresses.

      Nah you can't use someone else's Arris NTD at your premises.

      • +1

        That's what I thought. Hence why I'm questioning why NBNCo is making TPG force the $300 on me. Yes I know about the Arris boxes being locked to 1 location. Thanks :)

  • Yes, they will send someone (NBN technician) with the Arris box and have it installed so most likely that $300 charge is for the box and technician call out as they need to do some basic config/check when they install a new Arris box.

    The NBN modems are not supposed to be removed from property, I understand as old owners moved out they must have packed it up without knowing that it's not to be removed, this happens with many people where previous owners/tenants take away the black box, unlike the FTTP modem where you can't remove it as its attached properly to a wall.

    • I thought they were sent out for self-install - at least that's what TPG said initially when I said all the hardware was already there including the coax plug in my wall inside. https://www.nbnco.com.au/blog/the-nbn-project/note-to-self-e…

      • Not entirely sure then as something similar happened to me when I moved to a new rental property.

        There was no Arris box and I signed up with Superloop. So they arranged everything, as in ordering a new box and having it installed. Although the install and config is done by nbn technician so you get a call from the technician to schedule the appointment but when he was done with his config I was connected via Superloop in like 10-15 mins. Superloop did advise that maybe previous tenants might have removed the box so I had to provide my new lease documents as a proof and also I did not get charged anything extra for this.

      • +1

        Self install and NBN technicians are used for HFC installations.

    • +1

      The $300 fee is for the first user to connect a new development. A 2nd user doesn't pay the $300 fee.

  • https://ausdroid.net/2021/02/01/nbn-breaking-news-new-hfc-co…

    NBN Breaking News: No new HFC connections for several months

    • +1

      Yup, I know! I thought I wasn't a new connection, so could still get one….but NBN think I am a new connection again, ha ha a

    • There are HFC exceptions.

  • +2

    For your sanity sake, type your address in https://www.aussiebroadband.com.au/nbn-poi/ and note down your Premise Location ID and Premise Class. Then make sure NBNCO and TPG talks about the same place. The premise class can confirm you don't need to pay $300

    • My address doesn't exist. #42A is my neighbor and I am #40 on the map. According to Brisbane city council, lot/plan, title documents I am #42 and my neighbor is #40. Sending details now. Thanks for that!

  • +1

    I had something similar (separate NBN connection in our granny flat that wasn't showing up on the NBN site) and after significant drama I finally got a tech at Telstra who understood what the hell was going on. He talked them through what they needed to do to make the address show up in their system - it took him an hour or so but he was a lifesaver!

    • Mine's taken 4 months and it's still not right.

  • +3

    My house doesn't exist according to NBNCo despite being connected 4yrs ago

    Welcome to The Twilight Zone :)

  • Check what's on your last invoice from your current provider or perhaps check water/electricity as well. My work address has a similar issue, it's supposed to be Unit 10/1 but on everything it comes up as Unit 1/3.

    The street also has "Road" at one end and "Drive" at the other and changes depending on the system but that's a whole separate problem.

    • All my addresses are consistent and correct. Hell even my current ADSL bill from Telstra has the correct address but when I asked them to sign me up to NBN, they said my house doesn't exist. LOL!

  • I moved to a new development last year and had issues with the address not being updated on many websites, from telcos to Woolworths. I contacted the council and they escalated the issue until someone found the explanation: "The council sends information to VIC and companies use Vicmap/LASSI database, but sometimes they only update their database every 3-6 months."

    My point… If Brisbane database is showing something different from what's on the title, they have to update the database accordingly. With your documents, you should be able to make a request /complaint.

    • Yep, I never have issues with my address other than with NBNCo.

  • +2

    Won't stop NBN from giving their Exec's $70 million in bonuses and a pat on the back for a job well done.

  • Only perused your post but I believe I had similar issue when I did a knock down and rebuild as two townhouses.

    Only one house was registered and had to submit all the paperwork NBN to resolve.

    However, I signed up with iinet that have always treated me well and resolve many issues associated with telcos. Through iinet, I got a NBN number to call to resolve my issue on the first go.

    iinet even gave me some key word and phrases to use with NBN to resolve the issue. This helped me avoid having to pay the $300 or whatever amount it was for new development connection or whatever the NBN hoops and costs were.

    So, try your ISP again. I basically said that I would only join them if they helped and they really did.

    • and IINet are owned by TPG so OP should be able to get the same deal/Plan as TPG. I am with IINet as well and can confirm that their customer service is top notch

    • Wait, so you avoided having to pay the $300 new connection fee even though it was required? Who - how did you contact NBN? NBN seems to have ceased all methods of communication with the general public and direct you to contact the ISP and go through them.

      • +1

        Correct. Didn't pay the $300 and managed to contact NBNco via telephone so was able to speak about the issue and get a proper explanation.

        iinet helped me heaps and were the ones that gave me the number to call.

        • Woowww, that's amazing! I spent at least 20mins yesterday trying every single option other than reporting a medical equipment emergency, and they all either tell you to contact the ISP or log it online. The NBNCo telephone number is now just a useless bunch of pre-recorded messages and no longer staffed.

  • There is a lot of issues with premises in 00/00A type of format. Recently we had a client calling us saying they had issues with NBN speeds and dropping out.
    I looked it up and could not see an active connection! Turns out, Telstra had been charging them for a year but only their backup sim was working! And they had poor reception…

    The DPU allocated to the house was across the street with no lead-in….

    Anyways, in your situation, it seems to be only a mapping issue…. if they have only number 40 recorded, it would be interesting to see how many services are showing as available for number 40.

    Feel free to PM your address and I can do a bit of research, see if I find anything.

  • So looks like it's been changed again and I think the reference to my address is correct - need to ask TPG if it's the correct location ID, but premises class is 20, showing the HFC connection is there, but no wall plate or NTD installed.

    I got in touch with the previous owner, who said they were on Telstra cable up until they moved out when I purchased the place. This would lead me to believe (also confirmed by contractor who inspected my house) that the coaxial connection at my wall plate inside is active….so really I should be premises class 21 and they just need to provide me with a NTD. Once I become premises class 22, then it should be an easy job for TPG to connect me.

    • Seriously, the stress isn't worth the ~$20 a month saving. Just go through Aussie. They will sort you out, and they have first level techs who actually know their shit and aren't just reading from a knowledge base.

      • I almost want to give up and just use 4G.

  • Yeah I have a similar (but possibly not exactly the same) issue, aka a missing address (newly built townhouse). I'm currently with IINET VDSL (old Canberra Transact connection) n which recently went from the 39.99 introductory price to 79.99.

    I have some other things going on at the moment but when they settle down I'll probably look into trying to fix this. Perhaps using Aussie as others have suggested.

  • OK - update.

    NBN shows my house as service class 22 - The premises, which is serviceable by HFC, has a lead-in, but no wall-plate/socket or NTD installed.
    They are also wanting the $300 new development charge, as I had to do it to try and fix the address (which didn't work) and it triggers a payment request by default.

    I tested the coax wall outlet upstairs and it's connected to the amplifier inside the grey Telstra box (PCD) outside on the side of the house. Realistically my house should be service class 23, and it just missing the NTD.

    What does NBN do with the $300 I pay them? Install PCD, run cable to wall plate, install wall plate and NTD? They still want $300 if all that is missing is a NTD?

    • +1

      NBN will reuse the existing Telstra HFC PCD, cabling and slap a NBN sticker on it. You don't pay $300 for a NTD. Did anyone get back to you via email yet?

      • I've called TPG again this morning and I got the case manager to send NBN another note saying I should be class 23. She wants me to send her photos of the PCD/pit/wall plate and a copy of the a $300 payment receipt. I don't have a copy of the $300 paid, as I believe the previous owners of the house would likely have paid it. I will take pics once I get home from work tonight.

        The contractors NBN sent to my house in Jan-2021 would have all the same photos already though. I watched them take photos of everything and chatted to the guy and he said it's all there - just need a NTD and sign up to a plan.

        • I wouldn't open the pit. Only NBN and their subbies are meant to open pits. The previous owner wouldn't have paid the $300 fee as it's an existing development and not a new development.

          • @Twix: Oh. I already opened the PCD grey box to have a peek inside.

            • @eek: I meant the pits out at the front nature strip. Keep us posted.

              • +1

                @Twix: Oh that, no thanks. I'm terrified of spiders and it's been raining in Brisbane non-stop for a few days. I'll leave it be.

      • Sounds like they want $300 for the NTD and said NBN sticker :P That's a lot of stickers! haha

    • +1

      Ask the previous owner if they had a statement showing they paid the $300 already.

      The $300 is a flat middle finger f u charge because the government privatised Telstra and did a boo boo.

      • No they can't find it.

        I had the same problem with telstra years ago when I brought my rental property. Argued with them over many phone calls saying I could see the wall socket in my house with a telstra logo on it.

        Long story short, still got charged the $240 connection fee as they wouldn't budge. Tech visited my house, looked at my wall socket, tested it, drove off for 5 minutes, came back and tested it again and said it was good to go.

        Asked him if it was a new connection - nope. Told him Telstra charged me $240 for this, tech said they shouldn't, but he can't do anything about it and left.

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