nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) – MATE modem setup guide

Step 1: Locate the nbn FTTP connection box

Find the indoor nbn FTTP connection box in your home. This will usually be installed in a garage but may be located in an odd location such as a wardrobe, cupboard or underneath a staircase. Ensure you check your entire home for the FTTP connection box including any unusual places that you may not expect.

Nbn Utility Box

The FTTP connection box may be installed without a battery backup unit (as shown above) or with an optional battery backup unit. The image below shows the FTTP connection box installed alongside a battery backup unit.

πŸ’‘ Just so you know: The battery backup adds little value to an nbn FTTP service. If your power is cut, your FTTP connection box will continue to run for a limited time on the battery backup, but your modem/router will not be powered, and any associated services such as an nbn home phone (VoIP) service will also stop working.

Nbn Connections Home Installation

Step 2: Connect your MATE modem

You will need to plug your MATE modem into your FTTP connection box to connect your internet service.

First, remove the cover on the FTTP connection box to access the ports on the bottom. There are three versions of the FTTP connection box that may be installed, and your setup may include one of the models shown below:

Previous FTTP connection box
Previous nbn connection box
FTTP 1 Port Cover
FTTP connection box – one port
FTTP 4 Port Cover
FTTP connection box – four port

Ensure that the included power cable from the power port on the FTTP connection box is plugged in and secure. Plug the other end of the power cable into a power wall outlet in your home and switch the powerpoint on.

After a few minutes, you should notice the POWER and OPTICAL lights on the front of the NTD turn solid green. If you have a battery backup unit installed, the ALARM button may also be green.

Previous FTTP lights
Previous nbn connection box
FTTP 1 Port Lights
FTTP connection box – one port
FTTP 4 Port Lights
FTTP connection box – four port
πŸ’‘ Just so you know: If the optical light on your FTTP connection box remains red or off, please contact our support team for further troubleshooting.

Now, take your MATE modem power supply cable and use it to connect your modem power port to an electrical outlet. Switch the power outlet on.

Take the included Ethernet cable and plug one end into the required port marked UNI-D or PORT on the back of the nbn FTTP connection box.

If you have an FTTP connection box with four ports, the active UNI-D/PORT would have been sent to you via email and SMS – in many cases, this is usually UNI-D/PORT 1 but may be another number such as UNI-D/PORT 2, UNI-D/PORT 3 or UNI-D/PORT 4.

Previous FTTP Ports
Previous nbn connection box
FTTP 1 Port Front
FTTP connection box – one port
FTTP 4 Port Front
FTTP connection box – four port

Plug the other end of this Ethernet cable into the WAN or WAN/LAN port on your MATE modem.

Step 3: Connect devices to your MATE modem

Your MATE modem comes pre-configured and does not require any setup. Your MATE modem will begin broadcasting Wi-Fi as soon as it is plugged into power, turned on and has finished booting up. You can then connect your devices such as computers, phones and tablets via Wi-Fi.

πŸ“Ά Pro tip: We highly recommend connecting to the 5GHz Wi-Fi network where possible as this offers much faster speeds than 2.4GHz. Learn why here.


TP-Link HB210 Pro

Above: MATE TP-Link HB210 Pro


Vx230v + Vr400

Above Left: MATE TP-Link VX230v | Above Right: MATE TP-Link Archer VR400


Vr1600v + Nf18acv

Above Left: MATE TP-Link Archer VR1600v | Above Right: MATE NetComm NF18ACV


The modem’s Wi-Fi name and password is printed on the bottom of the modem. Depending on which MATE modem you have this will be referred to differently.

MATE TP-Link HB210 Pro, VX230v, Archer VR400 or VR1600v:

  • Wi-Fi network name – SSID
  • Wi-Fi password – Wireless Password/PIN

MATE NetComm NF18ACV:

  • Wi-Fi network name – 2.4GHz WiFi Network Name / 5GHz WiFi Network Name
  • Wi-Fi password – 2.4GHz WiFi Password / 5GHz WiFi Password


TP-Link HB210 Pro WiFi details

Above: MATE TP-Link HB210 Pro


TP-Link VX230v WiFi sticker

Above: MATE TP-Link VX230v


MATE TP-Link Modem Wi Fi details - VR400 and VR1600v

Above Left: MATE TP-Link Archer VR400 | Above Right: MATE TP-Link Archer VR1600v


MATE Netcomm Modem Wi Fi details

Above: MATE NetComm NF18ACV


If you have a computer nearby that you would like to connect via Ethernet, take another Ethernet cable and plug one end into any one of the modem’s Ethernet ports (labelled LAN).

πŸ’¬ Need help? If you have issues connecting your MATE supplied modem, please contact our support team for further troubleshooting.