Seeking nbn FTTP Network Advice for New Two-Storey Build

jsheng on 13/08/2025 - 23:15
Last edited 14/08/2025 - 10:53 by 2 other users

Hi expert community!

We're building a two-storey home so do have flexibility in choosing where our NBN box and data points sit.

General details

• Ground floor is 137sqm
• First floor is 112sqm
• First floor concrete slab will be 100mm thick
• Will be FTTP

Ground floor rooms / appliances requiring connectivity (ethernet or WiFi)

• Office (centrally located) - 2 desktops, 2 laptops
• Living (behind the office, separated by a wall) - 1 TV, 1 console
• Minor bed (front of house) - Mobile / tablet / laptop

First floor rooms / appliances requiring connectivity (ethernet or WiFi)

• Open Study-nook - 2 laptops
• Rest of bedrooms - Mobile / tablet / laptop
• Sitting - 1 TV, 1 console

So far, these are our provisioned data points:

• NBN box - Garage as default
• Data point - Office
• Data point - Living
• Data point - Sitting

We're able to change the locations of the NBN box and / or the provisioned data points, so would really appreciate your advise. Also, we were hoping for network equipment advise for a budget of ~$800. Currently, we use an AmpliFi HD with a mesh point in the middle of the house to maintain WiFi connectivity - but also seen threads that Ubiquiti is discontinuing this line.

Thanks in advance!

• 

  AustriaBargain on 13/08/2025 - 23:30

  If by data point you mean a network switch cable point, then you should want your NBN box close to one of those yeah? Office is tempting, but that might be a bedroom one day. Living or sitting, how much living and how much sitting do you plan to do in the years ahead? Or put a "data point" in the garage, that's probably the best solution. And wire it intelligently so it's least likely to be locked out from a RCD being tripped.

  • 

    jsheng on 15/08/2025 - 00:29

    Thank you :) we're considering doing some more "permanent" fixtures in the office, but you're right in that it could turn into a bedroom one day as well.

• 

  cabler365 on 14/08/2025 - 00:27

  +1

  For me - the location of the the NBN box doesn't really matter too much because you are going to run cables out from wherever that is to where you actually want data. Garage is easy… but you could also do the office as you say. However, I'd also say it depends what other data things you want to connect. For example, if you are putting in CCTV you would probably put the NVR in the same location - so on the wall of the garage may not be as convenient and in a central location (cupboard, office, whatever) would be more accessible/extendable…

  In terms of wifi - I'd go ubiquiti as my personal preference. If you only want a few cables, you could use Ubiquiti In Wall (which give you a PoE powered wifi point along with ethernet out in one package). They work fine.. but the ceiling mounted APs from Ubiquiti give better coverage than the in wall units. Depending on plans/layout/building materials (esp sarking on internals walls and metal frame vs timber frame), you'd probably find 1 AP per floor sufficient). But… as a personal comment: If I was doing a new build, I'd run cable everywhere I could. It is so easy to run in now … but impossible to get cables through later (especially with two levels). Yes, still run wifi. But cable will beat wifi in terms of reliability and future proofing.

  Again, new build suggestion - I'd consider putting in an alarm (if you think you are ever going to want it?), you won't be able to cable it later. And I'd also put in CCTV - you'll be able to get PoE cameras in locations you won't get them in later. And possibly a PoE doorbell connected to your CCTV too…

  • 

    jsheng on 15/08/2025 - 00:23

    Thanks cabler :) did not consider the alarm and CCTV, but its definitely on my radar now!

    I do like the ceiling mounted APs from Ubiquiti

• 

  skid on 14/08/2025 - 10:14

  -2

  Don't cheap out on the cables if they are going to go behind walls. Reserve a bit of the budget for CAT7 or CAT8 cables.

  • 

    jv on 14/08/2025 - 10:31

    budget for CAT7 or CAT8

    🤣

• 

  jv on 14/08/2025 - 10:30

  +1

  change the locations of the NBN box

  wherever your ethernet cables terminate.

• 

  Porker on 14/08/2025 - 10:56

  +4

  If I could re-do my home's (two-storey) network, the simplest thing would be to do put a data port in every room. I too planned out where everything would be, but in the end, things change and room layouts are different along with room intentions (eg. my main bedroom is now my home office.

  If WiFi is a requirement, simply put in an access point in one of the distant ports.

  • 

    aragornelessar on 14/08/2025 - 21:17

    +1

    They looked at me crazy when I put a port in each room, even in the corner of the kitchen. No regrets!

    Also, consider running cables for PoE cameras. I just had them either leave the cabling loose or tucked away so I could pull it out after the build when I needed. All connections terminated in the garage where my network rack (and NBN) is.

    • 

      jsheng on 15/08/2025 - 00:24

      Perfect, thank you both for making it easier for me to push for a port in each room!

• 

  heinko on 14/08/2025 - 14:18

  +2

  @jsheng I just went through this with a new build.

  We got ethernet to all rooms and living spaces - it's minimal cost to have it wired thoughout the build - an absolute pain afterwards. It also gives you freedom to move around access points and/or satellite mesh networks to get better coverage later.

  Considerations on network wiring you may not yet considered:
  * Ethernet for alarm systems - they normally can do ethernet or wifi, and the more comprehensive systems have NCF swipe tags for arm/disarm so it makes logical sense to place them near entrances (i.e. front door, garage entrances, etc)
  * CCTV returns to an NVR. We have our NVR in different (more hidden) location. Think about where you want to keep the NVR - CCTV pre-wire back to NVR, and then NVR back to central network return.
  * Intercom systems don't return to NVR - they are mostly PoE and return back to central network return.

  I went with ASUS ExpertWiFi - got their 8port PoE+ VPN router + PoE APs to place around the house. Mesh works well if you don't have the ability for ethernet backhaul, but if you want better performance, and more importantly more stable performance - you want to use ethernet backhaul. If you're going to ethernet backhaul, you don't really need a mesh system. Better off spending the money on a good proper network setup. I also considered mesh networks, and the price is comparable, until you realise you need at the minimum a 8-10 port POE switch anyway - in which case, just do it properly the first time around. This will fit within your budget.

  Feel free to DM me, just wrapped up 9 months of research into it all.

  • 

    jsheng on 15/08/2025 - 00:25

    Thanks heinko :) I'll DM you separately!