An FTTP upgrade brings fibre into the premises. Where the indoor connection box is installed can affect how easily you connect your router, office equipment and internal network.
That makes placement worth discussing before installation day. Start with the room you want to serve, the route through the property and the equipment you already use, then confirm which installation options apply to your order.
The standard distance is 12 metres, not 15
nbn’s current guidance generally provides for an indoor connection box within a 12-metre radial distance of the premises attachment point or utility box, where required. An eligible nbn Business Plan with wholesale download speeds of at least 250Mbps, within the eligible footprint, can offer placement up to a 30-metre radius.
These are placement radii, not allowances for an equivalent length of installed cable. The actual pathway still needs to meet installation requirements. A plan labelled “business” is not, by itself, proof that the extended option applies. Ask the provider to confirm eligibility when ordering. Source: nbn business installation guide.
Decide what you want the location to achieve
For a household, consider where the router and connected devices will sit. For a business, a communications room or equipment area may make cable management and support easier.
Prepare a preferred location and a practical alternative. Photographs and a simple floor plan can help explain the request, particularly when the intended location is not near the existing telephone equipment.
An existing socket is a useful reference point, but it should not be treated as a promise that the new fibre equipment will go in the same place.
Check power and the internal route
The nbn connection box needs a suitable power arrangement. nbn specifies placement within 1.2 metres of an existing power point or a safe extension lead supplied by the customer. A customer-provided internal pathway may be an option where the preferred placement cannot be met under the standard guidelines; discuss the route before commissioning that work. nbn’s installation requirements.
Plan permanent power with the appropriate electrical professional where needed. For internal customer cabling, use a registered cabler. Keep responsibility for any carrier equipment clear and do not alter it yourself.
The fibre box and your Wi-Fi router do different jobs
The nbn connection box terminates the fibre service. Your router connects your local network to that service and may also provide Wi-Fi.
They do not necessarily need to be side by side. Suitable Ethernet cabling can connect the router to the connection box, allowing the Wi-Fi equipment to sit somewhere more useful for coverage.
A location that is convenient for fibre installation may be poor for Wi-Fi, especially inside a metal cabinet or at one end of a large premises. Discuss the whole setup rather than choosing the box location in isolation.
Prepare for the appointment
Make sure the person attending can discuss the installation plan and give the necessary site access. Clear the proposed work areas and have any building access arrangements ready.
nbn’s upgrade process includes agreeing the installation plan with the technician. Apartments and premises within shared buildings can follow a different process from standalone properties. Check the residential upgrade guide and confirm the arrangements for your address with your provider.
If the business depends on the connection, discuss the likely interruption and a continuity plan. Keep the existing service arrangements clear until the new service has been activated and checked.
Ask Capti before you order
Tell us the exact address, the service you are considering and where you want the connection box. Include whether you have a communications room, existing data cabling or a building manager who needs to arrange access.
Contact Capti to check your FTTP upgrade options. We can check the address, eligible plan and installation options before you order. Final placement remains subject to the installation assessment and applicable nbn requirements.
Installation guidance checked on 23 September 2026. Confirm the current options for your order, as programs and requirements can change.
