How We Fixed Faulty NBN Cable and Improved Internet

Overview

In Yowie Bay, a homeowner faced continuous internet issues, worsened when excavation work exposed old, faulty cabling. The customer’s NBN service was unreliable, with frequent disconnections and slow performance. Our head technician, Jason, was called to investigate and resolve the underlying problems. What he found was a complex web of outdated and poorly maintained connections that were severely affecting the NBN service. Here’s how we identified the issues and restored proper connectivity.

The Challenge

The property had been connected to the NBN’s Fibre to the Node (FTTN) service, but the installation and cabling were far from optimal. During excavation work in the front yard, the contractors exposed an old Telstra cable. This cable was poorly connected to the new NBN service, using outdated joints and connections that were not intended for long-term use.

Upon inspection, Jason found multiple faults:

1. Old Telstra Cable: The original copper cable was left in place rather than being replaced with the proper NBN-ready cable, resulting in signal degradation.
2. Water Damage: Joints and connectors were exposed to the elements, and some pits were filled with water, causing corrosion and further disrupting the connection.
3. Improper Joins and Bridge Taps: The cable had multiple bridge taps and joins inside “snot boxes” (weatherproofing boxes that were not properly sealed). These connections were tangled, wet, and created unnecessary resistance and interference.
4. Mismanaged Cabling: The cables were not routed correctly, with unnecessary loops and joints adding complexity and reducing signal quality.

The Solution

To resolve the issues, Jason took the following steps:

1. Diagnosing the Network Faults

Jason carefully traced the existing cable layout, identifying how the connections were routed and where the faults lay. The setup was not only old but had bridge taps that significantly degraded the performance. Jason was surprised that the internet was working at all, given the state of the cables.

2. Rerouting the Cable

The damaged sections of cable were disconnected, and Jason rerouted the new lead-in cable directly to where it should have been connected initially. He pulled back the faulty sections and laid the correct cables between the house and the NBN pit.

3. Proper Sealing and Waterproofing

To prevent further water ingress, Jason used proper stop boxes to protect the joints. These boxes are filled with a sealing compound that prevents water from getting in, ensuring a stable connection. The cables were properly joined using Scotch locks, a reliable and waterproof method for cable splicing.

4. Testing and Validation

After rerouting and sealing the connections, Jason performed a series of tests to ensure that the signal was strong and stable. The NBN service was restored, and the customer’s internet was back up and running without the previous issues.

Outcome

By addressing the faults in the network, rerouting the cables correctly, and using proper waterproofing techniques, we were able to restore a reliable internet connection for the customer. The homeowner reported significantly improved performance, with no more disconnections or slow speeds.

This case highlights the importance of proper installation and maintenance of NBN cabling. Often, shortcuts taken during initial installation can lead to ongoing issues that are frustrating for the customer and costly to fix later on.

Need Help with Your NBN Connection?

At SECURE A COM, we specialise in diagnosing and fixing NBN and internet connectivity issues, including faulty cabling, water-damaged joints, and improper installations. If you’re experiencing problems with your internet, contact us today for professional support to ensure your service is running at its best. Call us directly to book a service.

Don’t let bad connections slow you down – let SECURE A COM keep you connected.

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