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My Pillar

My NBN FTTN Cabinet

(Local houses blurred) The inside of the cabinet appears empty (9th Jan 2018)

Friends NBN Speed on TPG

This is the speed of my brothers TPG NBN (about 3km away and who is approximately 150m from his cabinet), he is on a 50MB TPG plan.

This is the approx speed of FTTN connections based on distance from the node.

My house is about 400m from the NODE (approx, maybe 500 meters) and I doubt I can get more than 80 megabytes down, On the up-side, our neighbourhood is about 12 years old and has potentially new copper?

History

I was expecting NBN in Feb/March 2017 (based on communication with my federal member) but had to wait until Jan 5th, 2018 before I could connect.

This was a reply I had on the 1st of December 2016 from my local Federal member regarding NBN rollout in my region.

Upgrade to NBN

7th Jan 2018:

I was receiving unsolicited calls from telecommunication companies saying that NBN was available in my neighbourhood. I Asked NBN on Twitter about the average NBN connection timeline at my residential address (I informed them that my neighbourhood node is empty). NBN said the NBN was ready in my neighbourhood but only an RSP (NBN retailer) can answer the connection timeline. NBN said they cannot comment on FTTN cabinet installation status.

TPG Plans

Ok, these are the plans available to me on TPG.

I think I will go with the 50/20 nbn50/18 month contract, no free mobile and $0 landline plan (9th Jan 2018).

I visited the TPG website to upgrade to NBN, the TPG website said I need my landline account number before I can upgrade to NBN.

Our ADSL2 is with TPG but the landline is with Soul. I rang Soul (13 34 44) to acquire my Soul landline account number. The Soul Representative said we will lose our existing landline number if we move to NBN (was this strategy to force people to stay with Soul)? The Soul representative was unable to provide my landline customer number. I was transferred to a TPG  customer service line. The TPG representative that I was transferred too was also unable to help and they transferred me back to soul via TPG customer support (13 30 20 (I pressed 1 at the menu)). I was on hold 1 hour 20 mins (put back in the queue 17 times (auto) each time the music ran out). The representative provided my account number: ### # ###. Yay.

The Soul Representative said we don’t need to cancel our landline phone plan, They informed me TPG request a pull of the line and Soul will release the number? Now that I have the landline account number I tried to upgrade to NBN at TPG online at https://cyberstore.tpg.com.au/your_account/

I had an internal server error updating when I tried to update my CC so I talked to TPG on Twitter to report the error.

After receiving an Internal Error message I scanned the TPG website SSL certificate with https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=www.tpg.com.au&latest

I found a few concerns with TPG’s SSL certificate

• Internal Server Error
• Weak SSL cyphers
• SSL Expiring/Untrusted soon warnings (Symantec)

I reported these issues to TPG on Twitter and asked what the upload speed will be 0n the 50-megabyte plan? TPG said the upload speed will be 20 megabits.

TPG on twitter said they will notify their System Administrators regarding the Internal Server Error and SSL concerns. They also said I can upgrade to NBN by sending an email to [email protected], TPG offered to call me (I said yes please, tomorrow would-be best time to call me).

10th Jan 2017

I googled my NBN cabinet number (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=2TAM-24-20-FNO-001) and found the Telstra wholesale spreadsheet that listed the 5th of Jan 2018 as ready for service dates. https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/content/dam/tw/nbn/Documents/rollout-list.xlsx

A disconnection date for regular services is slated for 12-Jul-2019 for my area.

This is a handy thread- NBN Rollout – Tamworth (2TAM) – “NBN” – Whirlpool Forums: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1861188

Tamworth Node Map: http://tinyurl.com/tamnodemap or full URL https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1yxMqANdd-yBH0nNtqnIhljxG0Os&ll=-31.111393894308616%2C150.91107039999997&z=13

One Tamworth Whirlpool user mentioned they are approximately 350m from the node and can get 100mb down, this is promising.

11th Jan 2017

I waited for a call from TPG (I will get the 50/20MB, 18-month Contract, $0 Installation, No Mobile Trial, $0 Pay as You Go Landline plan).

TPG called and lead me through the upgrade steps, terms and conditions over the phone ((02) 9850 0800).

I was asked

• For my address
• What services do I have with TPG
• My internet username
• My landline phone services (Soul)
• Landline number and my landline acc number.

Further Call Summary

• I confirmed I would like the 50mb down plan. TPG said I can keep the existing landline number (fingers crossed).
• TPG confirmed I will be charged $69 a month and also be charged a $30 off one-time fee ($10 router shipping and $20 install phone credit)
• I updated my email for email updates with the TPG representative.
• TPG said It will take 2-30 business days to install and upgrade.
• The WiFi Router will be shipped via Startrack.
• NBN may be slower between 7-11pm.
• TPG mentioned they won’t pay cash is if download speeds cant be maintained (and I have to agree to a legal waiver before upgrading).
• It will take 1-5 business days to transfer the landline number (during this time the landline will be down).
• $350 cancel fee.
• Auto top up after phone credit falls below $10.
• I had to listen to a waiver/customer service guarantee (No right to compensation (only account credit is paid)).
• All inside cabling is at my cost.
• TPG will email updates during install.
• Will we have a VOIP phone?
• TPG representative read me a power outage disclaimers (VoIP phones need broadband to make phone calls, blackouts, battery disclaimer etc).

I asked TPG if I can ask 6 questions before I waive my rights.

Q1) Can I use TPG for work/commercial purposes? (as the TPG pre-recorded message said I could not use (the TPG nbn50)  TPG/NBN for commercial purposes)?

TPG said Yes, I can use it for work purposes (they did not ask what type of work (I am a software developer)).

Q2) What is the Upload speed?

20 Megabits.

Q3) During the upgrade will the Internet be down?

No internet downtime.

Q4) What brand modem will be shipped?

Random TP-LINK or Huawai modem?

Q5) Will I have access to the modem admin features to secure our wifi and update the router security?

Yes, customers own the device. We can have admin access to the device. But need to call technical support.

Q6) Do landline voice calls consume data quota?

No, Voice does not use data quota.

TPG read a final summary

• Connection to FTTN.
• $30 once off fee (shipping and ph credit).
• Free modem sent to be sent after payment.
• Activate service timeline.
• We do not need to cancel Soul landline.
• Will get email updates.

Done, I have now signed up to NBN. 32 mins total call time.

TPG called again.

I was offered the free 3-month mobile again, I said no again.

 

I asked TPG on Twitter

Q1) Do NBN connections have static IP’s like TPG ADSL?

No, NBN personal plans have dynamic IPs, only business plans have static.

(Busines plans are more expensive)

Payment Starts

It has been 4 days (2 business, 2 weekend days) since I upgraded and no progress on payment progress.

I feel like Fry

After a number of business days, my money was taken.

>> Read Part 3 (Installation and Setup)

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