NBN Fibre Upgrade Checklist for Seniors — Landlines, Medical Alarms & Wi-Fi

If you're a senior in Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock or anywhere in the Hunter and you've received a letter about your NBN fibre upgrade, this guide is for you. We've kept it simple, and we'll answer the three questions we hear most often.

'Will they drill holes in my walls?'

The technician needs to drill one small hole through your outside wall to get the fibre cable inside. It's about the size of a pencil, and they seal it neatly afterwards — you'll barely notice it. If any drilling inside the house is needed to bring the connection to your preferred room, that's usually done by a local cabler (like Netlink) before or after install day, and can go through cornices or floor voids so it's tidy and out of sight.

'What happens to my landline phone?'

This is important. The old copper phone line will be disconnected as part of the upgrade — usually 18 months after your fibre is switched on. Before then, you have two choices: keep a phone but plug it into the new NBN Connection Box (your internet provider can set this up), or move to a mobile phone. If you rely on your landline for family or emergency calls, make sure your provider gives you a working replacement before the copper is cut off.

'What about my medical alarm?'

Many medical alarms and pendant alerts were designed for the old copper line. They can stop working when the line is disconnected. Please: call your alarm company before your install day and ask them (a) whether your device is FTTP-compatible, and (b) whether they can supply a 4G-compatible replacement. Do not wait until after the copper is cut off — that's when we get panicked calls from families.

The 4-step senior checklist

• 1. Book a family member or neighbour to be home with you on install day.
• 2. Call your alarm/medical device provider — check compatibility, ask about a replacement.
• 3. Call your phone/internet provider — ask what will happen to your landline number.
• 4. Book a free 10-minute chat with a local tech (like Netlink) if you want someone to walk your home and make sure the router ends up in the right room.

You can call us any time

We work with a lot of older residents across Newcastle and the Hunter. If you're not sure what to do — even if you just want to understand what the NBN letter is asking you to do — call us on 1300 890 470. There's no obligation, and we can talk you through it in plain English.