Getting to know your new nbn® connection box (FTTP 1-port vs 4-port)

You’ve heard about little blue boxes, but do you know what the deal is with the little white ones that deliver full fibre? For those upgrading to full fibre or moving into a new build, you’ve seen the technician connect the Network Termination Device (NTD) in your home.

Well, that box? It’s actually the gateway between the nbn® fibre network and everything that happens inside your home.

As of late 2025, nbn® has unveiled a newer, smaller, sleeker generation of these boxes. It’s built to handle multi-gigabit speeds that simply weren't possible. One box to rule them all.

Here's everything you need to know about this little white box, what do the flashing lights mean and what to do when the technician arrives at your door (besides offering them a cup of tea).

The 1-port connection box: For most homes

The new 1-port connection box has a simple, square design with a single Ethernet port highlighted in orange. It's noticeably smaller than the previous generation of NTDs, meaning no more having to hide the unsightly jumble of wires behind books or in a wicker basket that doesn’t go with your mid-century modern style sensibilities.

This one is a lot less obtrusive and obvious on your wall.

Best for: Standard residential homes and small businesses with a single internet service.

Key features:

• Single orange Ethernet port (labelled "Port") for connecting your Wi-Fi modem

• 2.5Gbps port — capable of handling multi-gigabit speeds, including nbn®'s Hyperfast tier

• Compact footprint, designed to sit neatly on a wall mount

• No battery backup unit (BBU) — nbn® has phased these out with the new generation

This is the box the majority of Superloop residential customers will receive when upgrading to FTTP.

The 4-port connection box: For businesses & multi-service setups

The 4-port model is the more powerful sibling. It supports up to four separate internet services simultaneously.

This means a business could run services from different providers through the same physical box, or keep dedicated connections for different purposes (VoIP, data, guest networks, etc.).

Best for: Businesses, commercial premises or properties requiring multiple independent internet services.

Key features:

• Four Ethernet ports: Port 1 is grey (10 Gbps) and Ports 2–4 are orange (2.5 Gbps each)

• Supports up to four modem connections at once

• Each port is reserved for a separate internet service from the same or different providers

• Ideal where redundancy or service separation is a requirement

Lucky for you, we’ve got everything you need to know about your nbn® connection box in an easy guide.

What do the lights mean on my nbn® box?

So your nbn® box lights have started flashing, right when you’re about to find out who the latest casualty is in the newest season of White Lotus.

Let’s cut to the chase. Here's a plain-English guide to the indicator lights on both boxes.

Power light

Optical light

The nbn® flashing lights are driving you insane as you’re trying to go to sleep?

There's a LIGHTS ON/OFF button on the box. Pressing it kills the indicator lights, which is pretty handy if the box is mounted in a bedroom.

Just remember to turn them back on before troubleshooting, because they won't automatically reactivate if something goes wrong.

The big day! What happens during installation

When the nbn® technician arrives, here's roughly what to expect:

• Duration: Most standard installations take 2–3 hours.

• Access required: The technician will need to get inside the premises and access an external wall or roof cavity to run the fibre cable.

• Drilling: Yes, there will be a small amount of drilling. The fibre cable needs to come through the wall, and the connection box needs to be mounted.

• Power point: The connection box requires a standard power outlet nearby. Make sure there's one accessible at the intended installation location.

• Your modem: Once the box is installed and the Optical light is solid green, you connect your Wi-Fi modem to the orange Port using an Ethernet cable. That's it. The box itself requires no configuration on your end.

• Battery backup: The new-generation boxes do not include a battery backup unit. If you rely on a medical alarm connected to your home phone, flag this with Superloop before installation so it can be handled appropriately.

The connection box is permanently fixed to the wall at the installation address. It cannot be relocated by you. If you ever need it moved, contact a registered cabler or nbn® directly.

Start enjoying that sweet fibre life

Upgrading to FTTP makes your internet better in every way, and having it has never been more important. Not to be dramatic, but fibre’s potential sits in the tens of thousands of Megabits per second. You don’t need to be a genius to know that it is ridiculously speedy.

With Superloop's Flip to Fibre program, customers on older nbn® technologies may be eligible to upgrade to FTTP with standard installation for $0*… Now, that’s something to flip out about. Check your address and find a plan today.

*Free standard installation only when you stay connected for 12 months on 500 Mbps plan or higher. T&Cs apply.