EOFY sales have started! Save on tech, furniture, fashion & more
View deals
finder.com.au
23+ Exclusive Offers
finder.com.au > Broadband Plans
Important Information*

The NBN copper cut-off:
Everything you need to know

The NBN rollout will result in most ADSL broadband connections being shut off.

Broadband Offer

TPG NBN Fast Bundle Unlimited 50/20 Mbps 1 Month

$69.99

Monthly

Go to site

Min. Total Cost of $199.94

Promotion
Provider Logo
Unlimited

Data
50 Mbps

Download Speed
Find an NBN plan now

The rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is gaining momentum, with over 6 million homes and businesses now able to connect to the network via a mix of technologies.

Alarmingly though, only slightly more than half that number of buildings have actually been connected. In other words, about 50% of occupants who could be using the NBN are not doing so. This gap is likely to widen as the 2020 rollout completion date approaches.

Perhaps even more concerning is the fact that recent research from finder.com.au revealed that 58% of Australians remain blissfully unaware that their current ADSL Internet and phone service will likely be disconnected if they fail to switch to the NBN in time. Which means a large chunk of the population is in for a rude shock.

Homes and businesses typically have 18 months to migrate to the NBN from the date a connection is made available. After this time, traditional copper and cable-based phone and Internet services will be severed. Ultimately, switching to the NBN will be compulsory for those in fixed line (FTTP, FTTN, HFC) areas.

What gets disconnected?

According to NBN Co, the following services will be permanently disconnected for all Australians living in fixed-line NBN areas if you don't arrange to move them to the NBN network before the advised date.

Please note that residents receiving fixed wireless or SkyMuster satellite NBN services will not have these services cut off.

  • Telstra home/landline phone services
  • Home/landline phone services from all other phone companies, where the service is provided over Telstra's copper phone lines
  • All ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+ Internet services from all providers
  • Telstra BigPond cable Internet services
  • Optus cable Internet and cable phone services
NBN usage quiz

It can be hard to know which NBN plan to choose. We've designed a simple NBN usage quiz designed to deliver a personalised comparison of NBN plans that cater to your needs.

It’s important to note that if your phone or Internet service is already provided over another fibre network or cable Internet that’s not owned by Telstra or Optus, such as TransACT, Pivit and OptiComm, they will remain unaffected unless your provider advises otherwise. NBN Co dubs this an Adequately Served Area (ASA).

Similarly, customers who have their Foxtel Pay TV service piped across by either satellite or Telstra Cable, will not have their service switched off as part of the NBN rollout.

The only other exceptions to the switch-off are specialised business services such as ISDN lines which are commonly used for PABXs and some EFTPOS terminals.

As well as phone and Internet, it’s important to consider other services running off the old copper-based network that will be affected after the switch-off date. These include:

  • medical alarms, auto diallers or emergency call buttons
  • security alarms
  • EFTPOS or health-claim terminals
  • monitored fire alarms
  • lift emergency phones
  • fax and teletypewriter devices

If your home or business uses any of the above equipment, then be sure to contact the provider well in advance of the switch-off date, to determine whether your existing set-up is compatible with the NBN network. In some cases you may only need to upgrade software, while other services may need a complete upgrade to work properly.

Copper cut-off timeframes

From the moment you receive notification that you can switch to the NBN, you typically have 18 months to move your services to the new network before the existing network is switched off. Keep in mind that a technician will still need to come out and physically connect your premises to the NBN network. There can be very lengthy queues for a qualified technician, so we highly recommend switching well before your disconnection date.

Be aware that a disconnection date might not be visible for premises that were connected very recently. In this case, simply add 18 months to the "ready for service" date listed, to work out when the disconnection date will be. If you’re unsure when your existing network will be discontinued, use the finder NBN address checker.

About the author
Krishan Sharma is an award winning freelance technology journalist who writes for a number of tech focused publications. Outside of his journalistic endeavours, Krishan is an IT professional who has established a wide breadth of experience in the ICT industry.
Above all, Krishan is a self-confessed tech junkie and can usually be found tweaking and testing out the latest gadgets, home theatre gear, games, software and mobile applications.

What happens if you don’t switch to the NBN?

Unless you're either in the fixed wireless or Satellite NBN areas, or in the small amount of areas that are deemed adequately served, switching to the NBN is mandatory. If you don't make the change, you run the risk of losing your home broadband and phone services.

The good news is that both NBN Co and your ISP will contact you either via direct mail or phone and urge you to change, and will warn you regarding interrupted services if you don’t. If you choose not to act, then 18 months from the date the NBN was connected in your area, you will find yourself without an Internet connection.

Compare NBN plans today and prepare for the copper cut-off

Latest broadband news

Picture: Shutterstock

Krishan Sharma

twitter linkedin

Krishan is an award winning freelance technology journalist who writes for a number of tech focused publications. Outside of his journalistic endeavours, Krishan is an IT professional who has established a wide breadth of experience in the ICT industry. Above all, Krishan is a self-confessed tech junkie and can usually be found tweaking and testing out the latest gadgets, home theatre gear, games, software and mobile applications.

Was this content helpful to you? No  Yes

Related Posts

How to switch to the NBN

Our step-by-step guide for setting up the NBN at your house.

NBN vs cable vs ADSL vs wireless Internet

See how the NBN stacks up against Australia's other Internet technologies.

Compare Belong ADSL plans

Belong offers budget-centric ADSL plans for those waiting to transition to the NBN.

Finder to the Node: The death of 25Mbps broadband plans

Telcos drop 25Mbps plans while NBN Co commits to a smoother switchover process for ADSL customers in our roundup of all the week's NBN news.

NBN Multi-Technology Mix comparison

See how the different technologies in NBN's Multi-Technology Mix stack up against one another.

The latest broadband offers on finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

11 Responses

  1. Default Gravatar
    GregMay 20, 2018

    I have been informed that NBN will not roll out to my suburb in the foreseeable future. The problem is that my suburb is too far from the centre of town(about 5kms from the Orange PO) That is great news as I have ADSL2 without dropouts. I have been told that the dodgy wireless would be the only option. Fortunately, covenants on my property prohibit ugly satellite dishes.

    Reply
    • Staff
      NikkiMay 21, 2018Staff

      Hi Greg,

      Thanks for your message and for visiting finder – the leading comparison website & general information service built to give you advice in your buying decision needs. How are you doing today?

      It’s great to hear that you’ll have better broadband service near your area. Since you are just 5kms shy from the town center, surely, service will get better soon. You can check on this page to be updated. Just enter your exact location and it will show you the services offered in your area.

      Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

      Cheers,
      Nikki

      Reply
  2. Default Gravatar
    SeanMay 11, 2018

    who is actually responsible for this – 7 months after moving into a new house neither Telstra nor the NBN can connect me – all they seem to do is lay more and more cable???? Even more frustrating is that I do not even have the internet connect to my house as when they laid the cable they cut everything – and the TIO is absolutely useless in helping with this claim – so someone tell – who do i have to now sue to get connected?

    Reply
    • Staff
      ArnoldMay 12, 2018Staff

      Hi Sean,

      Thanks for your inquiry

      If that is the case, NBN may still not be ready at your location. Telstra cannot provide services at the moment because of the upgrade of the infrastructure that is going on. To check the status and development of the upgrades at your address, please fill in the name of the location using our NBN Tracker. The tracker also allows you to check the approximate time the upgrade will be done.

      Hope this information helps

      Cheers,
      Arnold

      Reply
    • Default Gravatar
      DawesiMay 19, 2018

      In answer to Sean, he would be able to get 4g wireless services until the new services are available, Telstra and Vodafone (and Kogan) have this service now.

      TIO would certainly be able to help with that. It’a matter of asking the right question to TIO, they only answer complaints directly.

      Reply
  3. Default Gravatar
    JeffApril 17, 2018

    I declined NBN connection because the Techs assured me my ADSL connection was superior. The dropout rate was so horrific they advised me to delay as long as possible. Now it appears the installing fibre to the curb for all those people who are not yet connected. Will I now have a new timetable?

    Reply
    • Staff
      MayApril 18, 2018Staff

      Hi Jeff,

      Thanks for reaching out to finder.

      That’s what we’re not sure of. I would suggest that you contact your ISP to confirm. Whether or not, in the future, your ADSL will still be disconnected. So in case you’d like to be installed with NBN fibre, best to get in touch with your ISP soon.

      Cheers,
      May

      Reply
  4. Default Gravatar
    RodneyApril 4, 2018

    To put it bluntly – is the Federal Government blackmailing Australians? I see no reason to switch to the NBN when my present Internet service is perfectly adequate. But my present service will be disconnected. I’ve heard that the switch is compulsory because the Government wants to boost its political reputation by making it appear that nearly all Australians have voluntarily signed up for the NBN – thus making the present government responsible for a huge breakthrough like the government that initiated the Snowy Mountains Scheme. But the NBN isn’t voluntary – it’s compulsory if you want to keep using the Internet or your landline. Additionally – maybe the government, and all the other companies mentioned in “The NBN copper cut-off: Everything you need to know” (27 March 2018), see the NBN as a new way to indulge their greed and make more money.

    Reply
    • Staff
      MayApril 5, 2018Staff

      Hi Rodney,

      Thanks for getting in touch.

      We’re hearing you 100%. While we can’t really give a personal opinion on this, switching to NBN will still take place in your area and yes, that’s compulsory for all consumers. So in case you will be delaying the switch, your ISP and NBN will still contact you later on and recommend you to switch. Best to contact your ISP in case you need more information about your plan options.

      Cheers,
      May

      Reply
  5. Default Gravatar
    ADSLApril 2, 2018

    Can I remain on ADSL after NBN is connected in my area?

    Reply
    • Staff
      JoshuaApril 2, 2018Staff

      Hi KB,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder.

      Yes, that’s possible, but for a limited period of time. Homes and businesses have 18 months to migrate to the NBN from the date a connection is made available. After this time, traditional copper and cable-based phone and Internet services will be severed. Ultimately, switching to the NBN will be compulsory.

      In case you want to check the availability of NBN connection in your area, please go to this page.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

      Reply
Ask a question
Go to site