Over the past year we’ve seen a noticeable increase in Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) upgrades across South-West Victoria. Faster speeds, lower latency and improved reliability are all fantastic — but the physical installation of the NBN equipment doesn’t always suit how people actually live in their homes.
A very common situation is the NBN Network Termination Device (NTD) being installed in the garage, on an external wall, or in another utility area. From NBN’s perspective this makes sense — they install the equipment where it is most practical and cost-effective to bring the fibre into the building. From a homeowner’s perspective though, this often leaves the Wi-Fi router in a location that provides poor coverage to the rest of the house.
The result? Fast internet at the wall… and slow internet everywhere else.
Why the Router Location Matters
Your Wi-Fi signal spreads outward from the router. Walls, metal framing, brickwork, tiled bathrooms and even appliances significantly reduce signal strength. Garages are particularly bad locations — they’re often separated from the living areas by fire walls, insulation and storage shelving.
So even though you might have a gigabit fibre connection, placing the router in the garage can make it feel slower than your old connection simply because the wireless signal can’t reach the areas you actually use.
Most homes perform best when the router is positioned centrally — typically near the living room, hallway or study.
What We Are Being Asked More Often
More and more customers are contacting TEIGE Electrical Services after the NBN installation has been completed and asking:
- Can the router be moved inside?
- Can I have a data point installed in the living room?
- Can I choose where the NTD goes instead?
- Can you install power for the NTD where I want it?
The good news — yes, these problems are very fixable.
Our Typical Solutions
Structured Data Cabling
We install dedicated ethernet cabling from the NTD to a central location inside the home so your router can be positioned where it actually works best. This provides:
- Stronger Wi-Fi coverage
- More stable streaming
- Better video calls
- Faster real-world speeds throughout the house
Unlike Wi-Fi extenders, a cabled backhaul gives full performance of your fibre connection.
Socket Outlet Installation for NTD
If you want the NTD installed somewhere different before the fibre is connected, we can install compliant socket outlets at your preferred location so the NBN technician can place the equipment there.
This is especially helpful if you want:
- A study or office connection point
- A communications cupboard
- A central hallway cabinet
- Future smart home or network upgrades
Home Network Planning
Sometimes a simple relocation isn’t enough — particularly in larger homes or brick veneer construction. We can also help plan network points for access points, TVs and offices so your Wi-Fi works properly everywhere, not just near the modem.
When to Contact Us
Ideally, contact us before your FTTP appointment — this gives the best chance of getting the NTD installed exactly where you want it.
But if your fibre has already been installed in an awkward location, don’t worry — most homes can be corrected neatly and with minimal disruption.
Making Fibre Internet Work the Way It Should
The NBN upgrade is a big improvement for many households, but the performance you experience day-to-day depends just as much on the internal wiring as it does on the fibre connection itself.
If your modem is stuck in the garage, your Wi-Fi keeps dropping out, or certain rooms barely load a webpage — the issue usually isn’t your internet plan.
It’s where the signal starts.
TEIGE Electrical Services provides practical, compliant solutions to make your NBN installation actually suit your home — not just the easiest entry point for the cable.
Get in touch if you’d like advice before your upgrade or want to improve an existing installation.
