Fibre General Information

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Fibre Broadband > Fibre General Information


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Description

Fibre Broadband Technology

Fibre or more commonly known as 'Fibre to the Home' is a form of communications delivery in which data services at high speed can be delivered via optical fibre cabling directly to a residential estate or dwelling. While optical fibre is not new in the sense that it has served as the backbone for major communication networks both nationally and connectivity abroad, a new era is beginning for residential consumers to now experience the benefits of optical fibre directly from your home.


What is Fibre?

Optical Fibre is a essentially a glass tubing capable of transmitting light (the medium inside the glass tubing), silica (and composition of glass) and coating in regards to protection of the tubing itself. Data is sent in the form of refracted light that essentially bounces inside the glass tubing from one point to another.


Fibre1.gif Bundled Fibre Optics


Fibre2.gif Representation of light bouncing around inside a Fibre cable


Why is fibre available to Residential Users?

Since 2007, The Australian Government proposed a National Broadband Network (NBN) following the continued growth and need of high speed communication resources for the Australian populace. While Copper networks have served Australia well for the last fifty years, future-proofing Australia's needs in data communications meant a radical strategy where residential users could take advantage of a medium that offered faster access, more viewable content and greater versatility - Fibre is seen as the next step in the Telecommunications age for consumers which surpasses its predecessor, ADSL on all fronts. So in essence it has been used under different branches and sectors of business for many years. It is only as recently as this year that a national network was proposed to replace the existing (aging) copper based medium with Fibre.

Applying for Fibre

How can a customer be eligible for Fibre?

Fibre is currently only available in certain areas of Australia and Exetel providing the service to a certain number of these areas. To be eligible a customer must first live in one of these areas, and then they qualify their address – as fibre may be available in their area, but not their Address specifically.


Who are the wholesale suppliers for the Fibre service?

  • NBN Co
  • Telstra
  • Opticomm

Where do you provide Fibre Services?

  • Via NBN Co:
NSW: Armidale, Kiama
S.A: Willunga
TAS: Smithtown


  • Via Telstra:
QLD: South Brisbane
VIC: Point Cook


  • Via Opticomm
VIC: Point Cook, Bundoora
NSW: Middleton Grange, Oran Park

How are these suppliers providing the Fibre service through Exetel?

There are a range of providers and a range of levels within the market. Firstly there are the wholesalers who lay the Fibre such as Opticomm and who only supply Fibre services on wholesale level allowing resellers such as eXeTeL to then provide the Fibre to the retail market. eXeTeL can be referred to as an RSP (Retail Service Provider) – as we only provide to the retail market.

How can a Customer connect to Fibre network?

The following diagram depicts an overview of how a typical Fibre customer is connected. The stages of delivery are as follows;


1. Your order will be sent to our supplier the following morning and based on the telephone number provided to confirm address availability if it is a Telstra Fibre order. If it is an Opticomm or NBN Tas order, then the address alone is all that is needed to be confirmed.

2. Once this has been confirmed, your order is scheduled to be activated anywhere within three to five business days depending on the availability of the technician. Activation time will also vary depending on the supplier.

3. Your presence on site during the given appointment date is highly important. A technician will need to run the Fibre from the pit (on your street) to your network boundary point (first socket) and will need access to your home as the optical Fibre is run directly to your premises.

First socket varies in terms of location (lounge room/ hallway) for each dwelling depending on the wiring. You may be able to select where the ONT may be placed depending on whether the technician can feasibly do so.

4. A technician will then install an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) device in your premises. This device has an Ethernet port for the purpose of connecting to the Internet.

5. Once the technician has completed and confirmed testing to the Optical Network Terminal (ONT), eXeTeL will receive confirmation of completion and activate the final 'switch' by close of business. The technician will firstly test line synchronization to the local Optical Line Terminal (OLT) at the exchange. Further tests will include authentication confirmation using his own details as well as a speed test to confirm the speed profile that was delivered.

6. It is recommended that for use of more than one PC/Laptop device that the router gateway has both WAN and LAN port for the purpose of connecting to the ONT.


Technically as shown below except for the ‘last mile’ and processes as explained above the service is very similar with that of an ASDL service regards to;

  • It is a layer 2 service, meaning a customer needs a Username and Password to authenticate to the eXeTeL network.
  • Residential grade service and the install/service assurance lead times while quicker than ADSL are still best effort based on technician availability.


Fibre3.gif Shows the data path of a fibre customer install

Is there any difference between the activation processes of different Fibre Broadband suppliers?

Telstra, Opticomm and NBN Tasmania (via Opticomm infrastructure/Aurora backhaul) have a very similar activation processes and the differences are:


  • Each Provider uses their own Fibre rollout to service different parts of Australia.
  • Each Provider uses their own technicians with respect to delivery to the customer premises.
  • NBN Tasmania is in what is known as ‘Stage 1’ of the Fibre Delivery process. Telstra and Opticomm are further along in regards to the Fibre rollout.
  • NBN Tas operates on what are called ‘Brownsfield’ estates. This means that the houses/estates are ALREADY built and Fibre is being deployed on top of what is existing on those estates.
  • Opticomm operates on what are called ‘Greensfield’ estates. This means that as these estates/ houses are being built, the Fibre is being deployed at the same time to ensure each house/lot is ‘NBN ready’.

Is there an activation fee for Fibre Broadband?

There may be or may not be an activation fee for Fibre Broadband services and it may vary depending on the supplier and the plan. You can find the relevant activation fee for your service in the order form.

If there is an activation fee, it will be debited from your nominated bank account/credit card on the date of advice from our wholesale supplier of an estimated date of activation.

What changes will be made to the property before going ahead with the order? I live in a rented property, so do I need to seek permission from the owner/landlord before these changes?

Yes, ONT will need to be installed inside the premises. If the Telstra technician found more than TWO DISTINCT telephone services then the ONT will be installed outside and a socket installed on the inside.

If you have rented the property, as per norm you will need permission from the landlord.

Is there any additional wiring work required to get fibre broadband connection?

Your home has been cabled in accordance with PTC 106 and the jack points have been installed either to your requirements as the builder or to the developer's specs during construction. If you would like additional outlets installed in your property, any certified structured cabling technician should be able to do the work for you. This will not be a responsibility of Exetel. This has to be organized by the customer.

Fibre Speed

How long will it take to download songs, videos or movies on Fibre?

Considering the basic plan package we have (25Mbps/1Mbps) you could potentially download;

  • 10 songs in up to 10 seconds
  • 10 minute YouTube Videos in up to 20 seconds
  • A 700MB Movie/file within 5 minutes

Is there a particular speed that is guaranteed for Fibre Broadband?

There is no guarantee for any particular speed.

Does fibre broadband speed depend on the distance between my residence and the exchange?

No, unlike copper, Optical fibre provides more consistent speed across distant several times that of copper. This is due to light been used through the Optical fibre cables.

MODEM, Media Converter and other equipments for Fibre

What are the equipments supplied by Exetel for Fibre Broadband service and what is the cost?

Our suppliers provide the necessary equipments in order to access the Fibre network. Currently the installation charge is a once off $100.

I have more than two computers at home and need to share Internet simultaneously. Can I do this with a standard Fibre MODEM comes with the service?

The Optical Network Terminal (ONT) located within the property by default can have up to four Ethernet ports to use for connectivity. If you cannot connect all devices directly to the unit, you can connect a wireless/LAN router to the ONT to perform this task. The wireless unit has to be purchased.

What are the equipment required for an active Fibre service?

Customer does not need any equipment except a direct connection to the Internet. The ONT (Optical Network Terminal) provided has an Ethernet Port to directly connect to the Internet. To manage their Internal network, a customer will need to source a router that has both a WAN and LAN port(s). ADSL2 MODEM/Routers will not work for the purpose of connecting more than one PC through to the ONT.

How the changes made to the telephone line affect on the Fibre service?

For Telstra:

Optic Fibre connections will be lost due to ANY changes made to the telephone service. The method that Telstra actions on a telephony service is quite complex that generally make an Optic Fibre (Telstra) service inactive. With all Optic Fibre services there is coding on the telephone line that allows for a connection to be operational, if Telstra or your telephone provider makes any changes to a telephone line they would first "turn off" the phone service. Once a phone line is "turned off" the programming that allows for the Optic Fibre connection to operate is wiped out and un-restorable. The only way for eXeTeL to restore the service is lodge a new application through the supplier, if such cases occurs or happens contact eXeTeL and inform the Provisioning department. It important to understand that it is not eXeTeL responsibility or fault that such a case occurs but the owner of the telephone line or your telephone provider. Before any changes are made to your telephone line it would be best to contact our Provisioning department. Here are some examples that would cause the Optic Fibre service to drop:

  • Unpaid telephone bills
  • Change of account holder on the telephone line
  • Telephone line moved to another address, despite keeping the number this will not allow for the ADSL service to continue working
  • Change of telephone number
  • Change of Telephone carrier


For NBN and Opticomm

Unlike the Fibre service provided by Telstra, any changes made to the telephone would not affect the Opticomm or NBN Fibre service.



Can I still use Dial-Up Internet?

No. Your old analogue MODEM will not operate in your Fibre connected home.



Will I get charged for Uploads?

No. We do not charge for uploads.



How do I cancel my Fibre Broadband Service?

Please visit the Service Cancellation page for relevant information.