what is the Network Boundary Point (NBP)?

The Network Boundary Point (NBP) is the end-point of the network and where our network provider’s responsibility ends. Any issues determined to be beyond the Network Boundary Point are the responsibility of the building owner or the customer.

The location of your Network Boundary Point will depend on a number of factors, including whether you are in a residential, single dwelling premise (such as a house) or a multi-dwelling premise (such as a unit, apartment, townhouse or office block).

In a house, the most common Network Boundary Point in a house is the ‘first socket’. The first socket is the one that the lead-in cable from the street connects to first, and is not necessarily the most conveniently located phone socket in the premises, or one that is even in use.

However, some houses may have an external telecommunications box, often referred to as a lead-in box, Telstra Isolation box, LUCA box or Madison box. Where this is present, that is where the Network Boundary Point will be. There are other factors that may influence the location of the Network Boundary Point. The specific location of the NBP will be determined by a technician, if necessary, during any investigation of the line.

In a multi-dwelling unit, such as an apartment building, unit complex or office block, the most common Network Boundary Point is in a centralised telecommunications cabinet or room – this is called a ‘Main Distribution Frame (MDF)’. The responsibility for the cabling and equipment between an MDF and the first socket in your unit/apartment will generally lie with the Building Owner, Body Corporate or Strata Management.