The nbn network is the backbone of Australia’s digital evolution, connecting millions of homes and businesses to high-speed internet. As the largest infrastructure project in the country’s history, it is vital for keeping Australian industries, businesses and communities connected – but it’s also highly vulnerable to damage from ground-breaking activities.
Currently, 12.48 million Australian homes and businesses can connect to the network: 90 per cent is connected through fixed line technologies, including nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), nbn Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and nbn Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC). The remaining 10 per cent is currently serviced through fixed wireless and satellite technology.
Upgrades to the network mean that by 2025, more than 10.2 million premises will have access to ultrafast internet speeds, capable of reaching close to 1Gbps. This helps drive productivity and innovation across the nation.
With more than 8.6 million active connections as of mid-2024, millions of Australians rely on the system to stay connected daily. This is why damage prevention is so critical.
The cost of damage: why you need to be careful
Damaging nbn infrastructure can have severe consequences. In 2023 alone, more than 1200 incidents of damage were reported, leading to costly repairs and widespread service interruptions. Even a small cut in a cable can leave entire regions without internet, affecting businesses, schools, and households.
Recently 22,000 customers around Bribie Island, Queensland were left without service due to a drilling company accidently breaking a fibre line. And when repairs are needed, it’s not a quick fix — like in Taree, NSW, where crews spent over a day replacing 576 strands of fibre optic cable after it was damaged.
The first step in helping to avoid costly mistakes is training and awareness. Whether you’re laying a new driveway, installing utilities, or landscaping, ensuring your team is familiar with how to read schematics and underground service plans is critical.
Before you start digging, always use Before You Dig Australia’s utility information request service. The Before You Dig service is a free online portal where you can easily request utility plans showing underground infrastructure, including nbn assets. Once a request is submitted, the BYD service notifies asset owners, including nbn, who provide utility plans and information to help you work safely.
Tips for identifying nbn lead-ins
Once you have the plans, here’s some top tips to help identify nbn infrastructure on a work site:
- nbn pits, which house various network components, typically have “nbn” clearly marked on them. However, it’s also possible for other pits to house nbn infrastructure, so always be vigilant
- Fibre optic cables, which are integral to the network, are often green in colour, making them distinguishable from other types of cabling
For more information, visit nbnco.com.au (including Relocating or modifying nbn infrastructure).