With all the technical lingo that comes with home internet setup, not to mention all the devices, sockets and wires that go along with it, it’s easy to get a bit overwhelmed at the thought of a DIY job. So, to take the hassle out of nbn home Wi Fi setup, we at MATE have drawn up an easy-to-follow guide on how to configure your old or new modem for a new nbn connection. Let’s get stuck in!

First off, what’s a modem? 

Before we go into how to set up a new nbn connection at home, we should probably explain a particularly important glossary term – modem. You can think of a modem as the gateway between all your internet-ready devices and the world wide web. It also determines how many devices can be connected to the internet at any one time. 

Until recently, the typical home internet setup may have needed both a modem and a router to give you access to the net. Luckily, these days many nbn-compatible modems actually do the job of both the modem and the router, so there’s one less device you have to worry about.

In some cases, depending on the type of nbn technology that is available in your area, the modem may in fact be the nbn connection device, and therefore you may only need a router that hooks into the nbn device using an ethernet cable via the WAN port. This type of nbn modem setup also goes by the name of a Wi Fi gateway.

Setting up your nbn service using a BYO Modem

1. Make sure you have an internet plan

Even if you have an nbn-ready BYO modem and an nbn-ready property, you’re going to have no luck getting an internet connection if you haven’t signed up to an internet plan with an internet service provider (ISP). If you’re yet to select a provider, MATE offers unlimited data across all our nbn plans, without any lock-in contracts or extra setup fees if you use your own modem (new modem or existing one).

2. Connect all the cables (including ethernet cable) 

nbn Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) connection

If you have an nbn Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) connection and have been provided with an nbn Connection Device (NCD), plug in the power cable and turn it on. 

Then go ahead and connect the nbn telephone cable from the nbn connection box to your telephone wall socket. Three solid blue lights on your nbn connection box will indicate that you’ve successfully connected your box to the nbn network, and you should also receive an activation confirmation from your internet service provider. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes up to four (4) hours.

Next, you’ll want to connect the ethernet cable from the nbn connection box to your modem-router/Wi-Fi gateway via the WAN port. 

Then power up the modem and proceed to connect your devices (e.g. PC) to the modem either with ethernet cables running into the designated LAN ports, or via the Wi Fi network  by accessing your device’s ‘Settings’ app and clicking through to the connections or internet options.

nbn Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connection

If you have an nbn Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connection and have been provided with an nbn network device (NTD), plug in the power cable and turn it on. 

Then go ahead and connect the coaxial cable from the nbn network device to your coaxial wall socket. Four solid green lights on your nbn network device will indicate that you’ve successfully connected your box to the nbn network and you should also receive an activation confirmation from your internet service provider. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes up to four (4) hours.

Next, you’ll want to connect the ethernet cable from the nbn network device to your modem-router/Wi-Fi gateway via the WAN port. 

Then power up the modem and proceed to connect your devices (e.g. PC) to the modem either with ethernet cables running into the designated LAN ports, or via the Wi Fi network  by accessing your device’s ‘Settings’ app and clicking through to the connections or internet options.

nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection

If you have an nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection, ensure that the power cable of your nbn access network device (NTD) is plugged in and switched on.

Then go ahead and connect the ethernet cable from the active UNI-D port on your nbn NTD to your modem-router/Wi-Fi gateway via the WAN port. If you’re not sure which UNI-D port you need to plug the ethernet cable into on your nbn NTD, check with your provider.

nbn Fixed Wireless connection

If you have an nbn Fixed Wireless connection, ensure that the power cable of your nbn access network device (WNTD) is plugged in and switched on.

Then go ahead and connect the ethernet cable from the active UNI-D port on your nbn WNTD to your modem-router/Wi-Fi gateway via the WAN port. If you’re not sure which UNI-D port you need to plug the ethernet cable into on your nbn NTD, check with your provider.

nbn Fibre to the Node/Building (FTTN/B)

If you don’t have an nbn connection box, don’t fret – your nbn connection type is most likely nbn Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or nbn Fibre to the Building (FTTB), which means your connection simply runs via existing copper telephone lines. If you’re unsure, check the documentation provided when you signed up with your internet service provider – they should advise you what your nbn connection type is.

If you have FTTN or FTTB, you simply connect an nbn telephone cable from your modem directly to your telephone wall socket. Keep in mind that you will require a VDSL modem for this to work.

Then, power up your modem and proceed to connect your devices (e.g. PC) to the modem either with ethernet cables running into the designated LAN ports, or via Wi Fi by accessing your device’s ‘Settings’ app and clicking through to the connections or internet options. 

3. Configure the internet connection via your internet browser

You will now need to configure your BYO modem/router through an internet browser with the details provided by your internet service provider. You’ll need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that is connected to your BYO modem/router via Ethernet or Wi Fi. You’ll also need the admin password to your modem/router (this will usually be printed on the bottom or back of the device).

Your BYO modem/router will have an internet address or IP address visible on the bottom or back of the device. Type this into the URL address bar of an internet browser, then go ahead and enter the modem username and password that you’ve also been provided. Sometimes, there can be multiple IP addresses or URLs that will work when entering it into the address bar, depending on the make and model of your modem.

Remember, you don’t need an active internet connection to access your modem via the address bar using an IP address. To do this, you just need your device to be connected to your BYO modem either via Wi Fi or ethernet cable. If you’re having trouble with the Wi Fi, then a hardwired connection may solve the issue.

Depending on your internet service provider, you may have also been provided a username and password that you’ll need to enter into your modem/router – this will be different from your Wi Fi name and password. To enter this username and password, you may be asked to go through some extra steps via a setup wizard or something similar. The modem manual (or an included step-by-step card) will walk you through exactly what you have to do.

The layout of modem/router settings pages can vary greatly for each different device depending on the make and model. If you get stuck or it is not clear where you should change your internet settings, you need to check the manufacturer’s website for support information. Ideally, your modem/router will have a Setup Wizard or Quick Setup section that will run automatically the first time you log in to the settings, or there’ll be a fairly obvious button to launch it.

Once you’ve applied the relevant settings, then you should have full access to the internet through all your devices!

4. Having some trouble connecting?

It can happen that even after these steps, your internet won’t fire up straight away. If this is the case, just get in touch with your ISP and they should be able to guide you through a solution. It may be that you will need to configure it again, or you made a mistake with the username.

5. Setting up a new Wi-Fi network name and Admin Password 

If the default Wi Fi details (name and password) aren’t doing it for you, and you want to have something a bit more memorable and personalised – not a problem. 

Simply, enter your modem’s IP address into the URL bar of your browser, once again. Then, in the new window, punch in the default username and password. Finally, click through to the Wireless modem settings and type in your very own, personalised Wi-Fi network name and password, and save/apply. Don’t forget to connect to the new Wi Fi network name and password on your devices once you’re done!