CUBE Voice

CUBE Voice & Data answers your questions about the NBN.

As many of you are aware, the NBN (National Broadband Network) has been rolling out in the Newcastle and Hunter for a couple of months now, delivering to many Newcastle homes and businesses.

Even though there has been a lot of reports and marketing campaigns explaining the service, there is still some confusion about :

  • When will areas be connected
  • the need to switch
  • the speed & technology
  • Industry scammers

CUBE Voice & Data receives lots of questions from valued clients about the NBN, and since we’re Newcastle’s NBN specialists, we’re here to answer those questions.

When am I getting NBN?

Great question!

One of our Merewether business owners called us recently to discover her NBN status and we were able to advise her that her premises was NBN Connected in December 2015, was serviced via Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and that disconnection of her old services will take place in Aug 2017. We were then able to give her a cost-savings analysis of her current services vs her new ones which allowed her to plan her upcoming relocation.

NBN Update: The following areas have already been connected (but are not limited to) Newcastle, Hamilton, Merewether, Mayfield, Islington, Carrington, Wickham, Valentine, Warners Bay, Mount Hutton and Speers Point. However, just because your suburb may be listed, it doesn’t mean you can or need to switch just yet.

Service qualifications are still required to confirm eligibility in these areas. Interested in finding out when the NBN will be available in your area, give us a call on 1300 884 884. We have access to the national roll out map as well as time-frames and whether you can access NBN via FTTN or FTTP (Fibre to the Premises).

For UP-TO-DATE information regarding Newcastle & the Hunter’s NBN roll-out: Follow Us on our New Facebook Page HERE

Do I NEED to switch?

Best way is to decide if your business is a heavy Internet user or not (i.e. 200GB + per month). You may be happy on your existing plan, or not want to make the switch to the NBN, just yet. In fact, in some circumstances we recommend holding off, even though you may be able to make the switch, already.

Did you know that you have approximately 18 months after the NBN rolls out at your premises, to upgrade from your old services?

Contrary to many pushy marketing campaigns, as a trusted advisor, it’s our job to let you know that you can continue to connect to your current Internet, until the existing copper-reliant services are disconnected. You will need to upgrade to an NBN service PRIOR to this disconnection date to ensure continued use of the internet and to keep your existing phone number.

Even though you may not need fast Internet, and you are happy with your current situation – it is still important to remember that the NBN is also providing a sturdier and far more superior connection. But beware of scammers. (Scroll to the bottom to read more about these dastardly deeds.)

Did you know that CUBE Voice & Data are unlike other teleco’s? We aren’t aligned with one specific carrier, so we can get you the best solution utilising several providers! Call us on 1300 884 884.

Will my phone and devices still work?

In a nutshell, ‘No’, but they will for as long as you are connected via the ‘old’ internet, i.e. before you have connected to an NBN plan. When it is time to switch, CUBE Voice & Data can assist you with the best phone & internet connection to suit your particular needs. CUBE Voice & Data has exceptional relationships with Australia’s leading telecommunications carriers, and it’s important to us that we get it right for you.

To find out whether you can keep other connected services such as Foxtel, security systems and medical alarms, the best bet is to contact the manufacturer/service provider and ask them directly.

*Beware of Scammers *

Recently some service providers have been targeting the Newcastle and Hunter area through cold calling trying to convince business owners that either their existing telephone system, telephone lines or both are incompatible with the NBN and need to be replaced.

Whilst this may be true in some cases, more often than not this is simply incorrect. One of our clients was convinced their lines and system were not NBN compatible so they contacted us to ask why we recently upgraded them to a system that now needed to be replaced. The upgrade included NBN Compatible Services and the client had nothing to worry about!

If you are unsure or you think you may be being scammed, call us on 1300 884 884 with ANY doubt in your mind. Your business depends on reliability.

See also media releases: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/beware-of-nbn-scams https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news/beware-of-nbn-scams