Network Termination Device (NBN)
A Network Termination Device (NTD) is a customer-side network interface device used by the Australian National Broadband Network, with different NTDs for FTTP, fixed wireless and Sky Muster satellite. The device provides multiple bridges to the NBN. Depending on the kind of link, up to two telephony and four data services can be purchased from an NBN Retail Service Provider (RSP).
Technicians sometimes refer to NTDs for fixed wireless as IDU (Indoor Unit) in contrast with the antenna, which is called an Outdoor Unit (ODU). The User Guide for NBN Fixed Wireless Connection refers to the devices as the NBN Connection Box and NBN Outdoor Antenna, respectively.
All but FTTN and FTTC use a NTD on premises. An external power source is required to power the NTD. A uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can be used to power the NTD to maintain connection to the telecommunications network in case of an electrical power outage, with a backup battery available for the FTTP NTD,
All technologies except Fibre To The Node (FTTN) and Fibre to the Curb (FTTC, previously called Fibre to the distribution point (FTTdp)) provide User Network Interface (UNI) jacks (modular jacks for data (UNI-D, RJ45)) in premises. FTTN and FTTC each require premises to have a compatible VDSL2 modem. FTTC requires power to be provided from the premises to the kerb (distribution point).
Each UNI-D port can be activated by the retail service provider for a different NBN service. The NTD cannot be used as a router for in premises networking. If only one data connection is required it can be achieved through the active NTD UNI-D jack.
Glossary
UNI-D: User Network Interface-Data
UNI-V: User Network Interface-Voice
| Technology | NTD Supplier | Protocol | UNI-V jacks | UNI-D jacks | legacy telephony | Voice over IP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTTP | NBN Co | 2 | 4 | yes | yes | ||
| FTTN | No, end user modem | VDSL2+ | 0 | 1 | no | yes | may have 600 series plug in place instead of UNI-V |
| FTTC | NBN Co | VDSL2+ | 0 | 1 | no | yes |
previously FTTdp |
| HFC | NBN Co | 0 | 1 | no | yes | ||
| Fixed wireless | NBN Co | 0 | 4 | no | yes | where a plain old telephone service is in place, this can be kept | |
| Satellite | NBN Co | 0 | 4 | no | yes | where a plain old telephone service is in place, this can be kept |
