Connecting to the nbn® when you rent a rural property doesn’t need to be a confusing process. 

There’s just a couple of steps you need to take, a few things you need to know, and then you’ll be on your way to internet bliss.

Here we step out the process of nbn® installation and renting. 

4 steps to connecting the nbn® internet in rural rentals

1.    Check with your real estate agent if the nbn® has already been installed there.

As at 10 September 2020, there were 434,195 Australian properties ready to connect to nbn® satellite internet and 616,884 ready to connect to nbn® fixed wireless internet.

These will all be regional, rural and remote properties because that’s the geography these technologies have been designed to support.

Just ask your real estate agent whether the property you’re looking to rent already has an nbn® installation when you put in your application.

If there is already an installation there, and you know what type of internet technology is available (satellite or fixed wireless internet), then you can skip straight on to Step 4 below

Otherwise just use our address checker to find out what internet technology is available at the rental. This way you’re fully informed when you do move on to Step 4 of this process.

2.    Check with your landlord if they’re ok with you having the nbn® installed if it’s not already there

If your real estate agent tells you that the property doesn’t already have an nbn® installation, that doesn’t necessarily mean game over.

Like with any other change you want to make in a rental property, you just need approval from the landlord to get an nbn® installation.

And that’s because there is some equipment that will need to be added to the property.

In the case of nbn® satellite internet, that equipment will be a satellite dish on your roof or the side of the house, and network termination device (NTD) inside.

In the case of nbn® fixed wireless internet, that equipment will be an antenna on the side of the house and NTD inside.

Having a good internet connection is a great incentive for renters long after you have moved on, and it’s completely free as long as it’s a standard installation.

Your landlord is likely to see the benefit of approving the installation but it essential you make it all official through your real estate agent upfront.

3.    Use our check address button to see what type of nbn® internet technology is available where you’re looking to rent

Just click the big orange button, type in the address of your rental and wait for the results to pop up.

It doesn’t take more than 20 seconds to complete the whole process.

There are a bunch of services out there that will connect your utilities (including internet) for you when you move. They have names like Compare & Connect, Connectnow, Direct Connect and Fast Connect.

If your new rental is in an ADSL serviced area, there is a high likelihood that no matter which of these services you come across, they will default to signing you up to ADSL rather than nbn® satellite or fixed wireless.

If you want to connect with to the nbn® you will need to contact an internet service provider directly.

Related content

• Is nbn® satellite better than ADSL internet?
• Is nbn® fixed wireless better than ADSL internet?

4.    Find an internet service provider and a plan that works for you (we’re WhistleOut’s Best Satellite Internet Provider for the second year in a row)

So, by the time you hit this step you already know:

1. If the property already has nbn® installed or is ready to have it installed
2. That the landlord is happy for you to organise an installation if necessary
3. What kind of nbn® internet technology is available at the property.

Now all you need to do is find an internet service provider and a plan that work for you.

Skymesh have been awarded WhistleOut’s Best Satellite Internet Provider for the second year in a row during 2020. Back in 2018 we were runner up for the same award so it’s looking like we’ve got a good thing going here.

We’d be thrilled to get you connected.

Check out our satellite and fixed wireless plans and call 1300 759 637 to get connected