Telstra Is Asking Me to Move to nbn before July 2021 - Can I Ask for Any Compensation?

Hi everyone.

TLDR; Telstra is forcing me to move to (fibre) NBN before July 2021. But my current speed with my existing connection is better than fibre NBN. Can I ask for any compensation?

I live in eastern suburbs of Melbourne and currently my home internet plan is with Telstra. I don't know the technology type but a copper antenna cable comes into a small box, then it gets converted to ETH cable and gets connected to my main router. The call centre technician over the phone told me my current connection is on copper (cable) internet.

Even though it is an old technology, my download speed is very good (130-150MBs is the average).

Now, because of the infrastructure change in my suburb, they are asking me to move to fibre NBN or I will be disconnected after July 2021. But the fastest plan Telstra offers with fibre NBN is max 100MBs speed it also it is not guaranteed.

So, since this has a big potential to be a downgrade on my speed, do you guys think I have any grounds to ask for some kind of compensation?

Thanks

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Comments

  • +80

    Compensation? Lol

    • +7

      The entitled are out in force this week in our forums! It's only Wednesday!

      The (now disableduser) Ozito guy, the gumtree gift card seller, now this…

      • +2

        The iphone guy too that - $1850 - classic I didn't check the phone when picking up, i was in a hurry.

        • lol. That was very entertaining.

        • iphone Android

          FTFY ;)

      • +3

        Plus the guy trying to break his lease early and shaft his landlord…

  • +1

    For a fixed line connection you have to move from Telstra cable to nbn. Is the nbn in your area FTTN, FTTB, FTTC, FTTP, HFC?

  • +25

    you don't HAVE to move with Telstra, you can move to any ISP

    • you don't HAVE to move with Telstra

      even DODO would be better.

      • +1

        "even DODO would be better."

        Do DODO provide automatic backup to 4G wireless if the landline fails as Telstra modems do?

        No thanks.

        I'l stick with Telstra coz not having an internet connexion would be catastrophic for me.

        • Do DODO provide automatic backup to 4G wireless if the landline fails as Telstra modems do?

          They answer the phone.

          Correction, they have the same service level as Tel$tra.

          • @jv: "they have the same service level as Tel$tra."

            Really?
            Their modems have 4G wireless backup?

            I don't think so.

            • @Gekov:

              Their modems have 4G wireless backup?

              So does my mobile phone.

              • @jv: "So does my mobile phone"

                So your phone is a backup for your landline then?

                Too bad about the micro screen when you're trading shares online eh?

                • @Gekov:

                  So your phone is a backup for your landline then?

                  No, I have several VOIP lines which I can easily redirect to any phone, or mobile if required.

          • @jv: "They answer the phone"

            Telstra answer the phone for me …
            No probs with their customer service for me.

            • @Gekov:

              Telstra answer the phone for me …

              No problem from me…

              They didn't even call or answer the phone from the TIO when we had a scheduled group call…

  • enter your address here and post below results (don't post other parameters such as location id in public)

    Premises technology
    Premises service class
    Premises service class description
    Premises readiness

    • And the maximum TC-4 speed.

    • It says
      Premises technology: “Fibre To The Curb”
      Premises Service Class: 33
      Premises service class description:
      Serviceable by FTTC, cut-in complete (NCD required)

      • +3

        FTTC has a maximum of just over 100Mbps download and 40Mbps upload. Telstra is 100Mbps download with a cut back 20Mbps upload. nbn are looking at increasing the speed for FTTC but I don't know if this will ever happen. To have the option of 1000/50Mbps and 250/25Mbps ask nbn for a FTTP quote and you will get a build cost email within seconds.

      • +1

        You can choose any ISP and get connected but I think max speed is around 100/40. Do you have an old Telstra phone line (not cable, may be with RJ11 or old Jackson socket) which might be currently disconnected ? if so, you will only need a NCD (VDSL to Ethernet modem, usually sent by post). Otherwise they will lay a telephone line from pit to your house for VDSL connection. Fiber ends at the pit in the curb.

      • +1

        If you wait long enough the speed tiers should go up eventually.

        https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-could-have-first-gigab…

  • +5

    All RSP's (e.g. Telstra) are not 'forcing' you to move to NBN out of their own free will so I would think it would be unfair to ask them for compensation. They may offer you a month free as a gesture of goodwill but as others have suggested, you are now free to choose any other RSP out there reselling NBN for a better deal.

  • +6

    Yep. Trip to India 1 way.

  • +9

    your entitled to 5k in compensation, just call sundeep and telstra, i mean allan

    • 🤣🤣

  • +2

    You've been told that your new connection will be 100mbs max, which sounds more like FTTC or maybe FTTN not full fibre. Since you currently seem to have HFC, it seems more likely that you'll be getting FTTC. I think it's unlikely you're getting fibre to the premises, since your maximum speed on that would be ten times faster. I think you might have stopped listening when you heard "fibre".

    Follow bazingaa's advice to find out what NBN type of you're really getting.

  • +5

    Telstra have an obligation to migrate you off old internet services, 18 months after NBN has been available in your area. They will disconnect you on the date they have advised.

    You do not need to go with Telstra, and you can go with what plan you like. A lot of people had to get off the old cable internet that where enjoying those speeds. Hopefully you can get 100Mbps with your new connection or even better 250Mbps. You will not get compensated its been a long time coming, you should of received plenty of notice, so cant really say you have not been warned. All of Aust will be migrated to NBN or similar service.

    • +3

      Yeah they do have the 18 months but they don't disconnect your service straight away, there's a couple more months to go. With my connection, I conveniently ignored them for >18 months and at the 20th month mark, one arvo my connection was gone without warning. Well there was a warning, I had to move over to nbn during that 18 months grace period.

      Definitely no compensation for the sudden loss of service, however I did managed to get them to leave my connection on until my nbn appointment which was 3 weeks away. They did tell me 18 months + another couple of months is the max they will give you.

  • +4

    Can I Ask for Any Compensation?

    Yes, you can ask. But they may not give.

  • +4

    Can I Ask for Any Compensation?

    Sure, report back their response

  • +6

    compensation = 2 tin cans + fishing line with free local calls

    • with free local calls

      How?

  • Telstra isn't forcing you to do anything, they are simply shutting down their private internet network.
    It is up to you whether you move to the NBN or go with a 3G/4G/5G mobile modem data plan.

  • Even though it is an old technology, my download speed is very good (130-150MBs is the average).
    Now, because of the infrastructure change in my suburb, they are asking me to move to fibre NBN or I will be disconnected after July 2021. But the fastest plan Telstra offers with fibre NBN is max 100MBs speed it also it is not guaranteed.

    I'm guessing you're getting your speed from some sort if speedtest site. That'll be Mbps not MBs. If you were running at 130-150MBs, you'd already have one of the best home internet connections you can get. I'm guessing you're on Telstra Cable on HFC. I was on the same thing until I was forced to move over. I too was worried about speeds going lower but when I was switched over, I found it was slightly faster than cable. That being said, towards the end of its life in my area, cable was getting faster as people were being churned to the nbn.

    Anyway, from what I understand you'll be using the same network unless you were on ADSL, so maybe you're getting switched to fiber.

    As an added bonus, they've switched me (and everyone else on the nbn from a 100mbps plan) to a 250mbps connection for 6 months for free.

    On the move over, I understand it's a government regulation deadline based on some time period from time of the NBN being installed in your area. There may have been an extension due to covid.

    So, since this has a big potential to be a downgrade on my speed, do you guys think I have any grounds to ask for some kind of compensation?

    You could ask. You won't get any compensation but it'll give someone on the other end of the phone a good chuckle. You might even end up as a story on some site like not always right. But seriously, you might end up with some discount but don't quote me on that.

  • +1

    welcome to the nbn where you have to pay more for less

  • +7

    the level of entitlement here is astounding.

    • +1

      First world entitlement.

  • +1

    Go with 5G. Assuming you don't game a lot.

    • +7

      Make sure you’ve gotten your COVID vaccine first

      • But then I will open Edge instead of Chrome.

      • AZ didn't give me blood clots but I've been transmitting 5G ever since.

  • +2

    I was forced off cable internet (100Mbps) to FTTN (50Mbps). To top it off, there was a screwup on Telstra's end, so my internet access was intermittent at best for 2 weeks. They gave me a $3 credit on my bill for my trouble.

    So yeah, suck it up OP.

  • +1

    It's the same for all. Move up or go without.

  • +4

    What a hilarious question.
    Seriously
    Who do you think you are OP and why are you so special that you should deserve compensation?

    By the time you engage the lawyers and fight the case in court (and lose) it will have cost you hundreds of thousands.
    So go ahead and take the case to court and let us know how you go.

    Don't forget
    You need to demonstrate and qualify "damages" (in dollar terms) for your claim.

  • +6

    lol, “compensation”

    You’re currently on Telstra Cable, aka HFC.
    You get speed of up to 115Mbps download and 5Mbps upload.

    As you have NBN FTTC available, you can get 100Mbps download/40Mbps upload if you go with Aussie Broadband or similar instead of Telstra.

    Telstra offer 100/20 as their maximum.

    I was in the identical situation to you.

    Trust me: The loss of 13% of you download speed is not noticeable. The 800% boost in upload speed, however, IS noticeable!

    Just switch to NBN. And whilst you’re at it, pick a better company than Telstra.

  • +2

    Hahaha good one.

    I'm sure Telstra will be happy to compensate you by telling you that you can now engage any broadband provider that you like. Surely that's a better result.

  • +1

    I was on Telstra Cable and held off moving to Telstra NBN until the last possible moment as I was concerned my speed would slow down. Turns out I needn't have worried - download speed was the same and upload speed was faster. I am located lower north shore in Sydney.

    • Yeah i was the same. I was getting 115/5 consistently on telstra cable. Working at Telstra, and hearing nothing but countless issues with NBN, i held off until 2 days before my disconnection date. Now getting 105/18 on HFC NBN

    • download speed was the same and upload speed was faster.

      and a significant price increase to go with it…

  • The fact that anyone has to downgrade is laughable.

  • +1

    Ah, a comedian! Compensation from a telco? Seriously though, I hear you.

    Best you can do is vote with your feet.
    If you NEED broadband and/or home phone - tough, all telcos will basically rip you off to the same extent, as the NBN is overpriced (good ADSL could be had for $30/mth - what about the poor people?).

    If you DON'T NEED broadband, consider using the hotspot connection on a phone. Coles and Woolies regularly have $10 deals on new sims that give between 30-50GB of data, and you just move at the end of the month.

    Keep your existing phone(s) on their existing contracts - just add the monthly sim to an old phone.

    Cost $10 vs $50+++ and no contract.

    Note: My solution is for people with low incomes and modest needs. Apologies to those with jobs or centrelink who can afford more, or have greater needs. This solution not intended for you.

  • Compo? Definitively NO

    But remember to move before NBN/Telstra or Telstra/NBN (they will deny any actions taken) get you disconnected.

    THEY (whomever they will be) WILL DISCONNECT YOUR FIBER.

    • WILL DISCONNECT YOUR FIBER

      THEY'RE NOT USING FIBER

      • OOOPS! …

        I was using fiber and I still fume about it … hence my error.

        But not my fault … Telstra's fault ……… (kidding, my fault 100%!)

  • Low and medium speed NBN are a joke!! 25Mbs or 40/50Mbs!!
    You are better off buying a modem/router that takes a sim card.
    I am currently using Huawei B525 Router (4G/LTE & Wifi) and at night I get more than 80 Mbs speeds (month/month Optus 200GB $85/month).

    • +1

      4g home internet? i think you need to talk to optus to get a better deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/612971 . get a new 24 month 200gb plan with included b818 modem

      • It sounds like a good deal indeed. I hate getting locked into a contract and I already have the modem. I'll drop by and ask.
        Cheers mate!

        • i think if you already have a device the might let you skip that, but the b818 seems to be a good modem

  • +1

    do you guys think I have any grounds to ask for some kind of compensation?

    No

  • Telstra and compensation do not go in the same sentence.

  • LOL trust me Telstra definitely isn't forcing you to move, the margins Telstra were making on its own legacy copper / HFC network were multiples higher than moving you to NBN. You would have had 18 months from when your area has gone RFS to decide on a provider and switch, and like most people have said you don't need to choose Telstra but any RSP that resells a NBN plan.

    Compensation wise, 0 chance… margins on NBN plans are very thin for the Telcos, considering the average wholesale price (ARPU) is already around ~$50, and thats before you add the indirect cost like sales/call centre, engineering, network cost and other overheads etc.

  • Hold on… forced to move to fiber and you want compensation? Kidding right?

    • -1

      But 150MB/s is pretty good, you'd rather 25MB/s or even 12MB/s with fibre?

      • -1

        OP said the fastest offered speed is 100MBs, which is lower than he's current 130-150 range, so i am assuming he is getting FTTP. Even a heavy user wouldn't notice the drop in speed (unless doing large transfers constantly)

        FWIW I get ~25MBs with a FTTN connection, so someone complaining about 100MBs seams pathetic.

        • Oh I see, I think he's also confusing bytes and bits….because what plan offers 100MBytes per second speed? gigabit is 125Mbytes per second, not 100… 100 would have to be 800Mbits per second speed but I don't see such a service on the telstra site…. Actually I dont even see Telstra offering gigabit speeds either…hhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………..

  • If by 130-150MBs you mean 130-150Mbps then you should know you can upgrade to 1000Mbps already.

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