UPDATE: A representative from iiNet has been in touch to point out they have monumentally cocked this up.

My mistake was naming the suburb of Crace (the NBN’s technical name for the area) rather than the actual suburb names, which are Ngunnawal and Amaroo.

The original article follows.

[First Published on: Oct 14, 2014 @ 11:32]

IINET have been in touch to warn that 2700 of households and businesses in Crace are soon to get NBN Co notices about disconnecting their copper telephone lines, they are advising consumers not to panic about migrating to the National Broadband Network.

Since May, NBN Co has progressively announced areas in Australia that have reached the deadline for ageing copper telephone networks to be disconnected permanently as part of moving to the NBN.

From Thursday, next week, (October 23), 2700 premises in Crace will join that urgent migration list.

iiNet NBN Product Manager Rachael McIntyre advises consumers that there is no need to panic about this impending deadline. “While phone and Internet services won’t stop working on that date, they will shortly, so it really is time for people to upgrade to the NBN,” she said.

“Any households or businesses that still rely on the old telephone network should review their options, so they can choose the NBN-based telephony and Internet services that meet their needs.

Rachael McIntyre said anyone facing disconnection from the copper network needed to make a number of decisions. “Firstly, they need to decide what they require, whether that’s an Internet access service or just a telephone service or both,” she said.

“Secondly, if they use services that traditionally require the copper network, such as faxes, monitored security alarms, Priority Assistance Services or EFTPOS terminals, then they need to speak to the manufacturers of these services and confirm they will work on the NBN.

“The third step is to select the NBN Retail Service Provider, like iiNet, that best meets your needs, in terms of product, pricing and customer service. People do have to make the choice. We really want to make sure they don’t risk losing their phone and Internet service before they get the NBN connected.”

Frequently Asked Questions about the NBN disconnection process

Why is NBN Co disconnecting my old telephone line?

A fibre NBN connection will make the ageing copper telephone line unnecessary. The disconnection of copper, 18 months after NBN services are declared active in an area, has always been part of NBN Co’s agreement with Telstra.

What is the latest date that I can move from copper to NBN fibre without losing my service?

The sooner the better. To avoid any last minute rush, and minimise the risk of having your telephone service and Internet access disrupted, you should select your preferred NBN Retail Service Provider as soon as possible.

What does DCD stand for?

DCD is an NBN Co acronym for Disconnection Commencement Date, the end of the 18-month transition period during which areas move from the copper network to NBN fibre.

Will every NBN customer have their copper telephone line disconnected?

No. Customers in remote and regional areas who are connected to NBN Fixed Wireless and NBN Satellite services will keep their copper-based telephone service. Copper disconnection will only happen in areas where customers have access to NBN fibre services.

Will my telephone line still work once the copper network is disconnected?

No, your telephone line provided by your copper service will not work. A similar phone service is available using your NBN fibre connection. Most telephone handsets will plug into the UNI-V “port” on your Network Termination Device installed by NBN Co, this allows you to choose a phone-only service from an NBN Retail Service Provider offering this service. You can alternatively choose a VoIP telephone service that operates over a broadband Internet connection.

How much will telephone calls on the NBN cost?

This depends on your chosen NBN Retail Service Provider (RSP) and the NBN plan you sign up to. The first step is to decide whether you want a voice-only NBN service (if you don’t use the Internet) or an NBN service for both voice calls and Internet access. Once you decide, seek an RSP with a plan that best matches your needs.

Will I need to buy new equipment to use the NBN?

NBN Co will install the basic equipment to access the NBN, a connection box on your external wall and a Network Termination Device inside your house, for free. While most routers and telephone devices you can buy today work with the NBN, you should confirm this with your selected RSP.

What new wiring will people need for the house?

In most cases, you can use NBN services without requiring any extra internal wiring for your house. Devices such as cordless handsets let you make telephone calls while Wi-Fi enabled routers provide wireless networking for Internet access on devices such as computers, smartphones and tablets.

The installation of the NBN does not include additional home network wiring beyond the installation of the NBN Connection Box. You can get additional internal wired phone sockets or a wired in-home network for you internet in your home, but you must get them connected to the NBN Connection Box by a registered cabler. This will incur an additional cost.