Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to sign up?
There are two key sign ups you can undertake:
Register your details with Opticomm
First of all, check whether or not your premise is in the current network rollout area (see Will the network reach my place below). If your address is listed on the official Opticomm list, you need to register with Opticomm to ensure they have your details to get in contact with you when the time comes to organising your fibre lead-in cable. To do so, and for more information read here.
Join WCAG
For general project updates, you can join WCAG. This is entirely separate from and should not be confused with signing up with Opticomm. Joining WCAG allows you to get up to date information from us about key network events and information as we know it. We have promised not pass on your personal details to third parties without your permission, and this is the reason we cannot just pass on your details to Opticomm.
What is the cost?
UPDATE 02/07/2022 - We have been assured that the OPTICOMM network will be priced at the same rates as Sydney metro users of their network.
WCAG understand that, provided the installation of the lead-in fibre connection to each property/residence is completed as part of the planned network rollout, this will be done at no cost to the owner. Residents can choose to ‘opt-out’ and not have the lead-in constructed to their residence during the construction period for their street. However, if you choose to opt-out and you (or future owner of the property) subsequently request a lead-in connection at a later time, this will be an expensive process and will be at full cost to the owner.
After the property is connected to the fibre network, owners can then contact their preferred service provider, choose their plan and sign-up for the service to be activated. At this point, we understand there will be a one-off new fibre connection fee of $300 (Incl GST) payable to the service provider. Most service providers typically also offer their own (preconfigured) WiFi routers – which you may or may not need. You should discuss this with the service provider.
Will the network reach my place?
UPDATE 08/10/2022 - See the approximate current intended coverage map here. Note that your place is only considered covered if it is on the official list of addresses provided by Opticomm. WCAG has no control over who is in or out of this list, though we are identifying odd anomalies and bringing them to the Departments and Opticomms attention. If you are on the official list, please register your details with Opticomm for further communications directly from them. If you are not on the list, please read on here.
When will the network reach my place?
UPDATE 30/06/2022 - While we would love to be able to tell you definite dates, much like the question on costs, this is dependant on a number of variables outside our control. We would like to see this network up and running as soon as possible. The end date, per the NSW press release is scheduled for end of 2023. So hopefully you'll have a FTTP connection by then at the latest.
If you need communications right now, then our advice would be for you to seek other options (eg. ADSL, NBN Satellite or Wireless).
Does this fibre have anything to do with NBN?
No. NBN has already considered our area “ready for service” using the NBN Skymuster satellite option and is NOT planning on laying any fibre in our area any time soon. We all know that the NBN Satellite service is sub-standard and not fit for purpose however we (as a small group of residents) do not have the ability to alter the NBN rollout.
Will this new network affect my current ADSL/Wireless/Satellite connection?
No. If you choose to stay connected via your existing ADSL/Wireless/Satellite connection, this network will not affect you. All we are doing is providing the area with another communications option – one which we believe is vastly superior to existing offers.
Having said this, we do know that the Productivity Commission’s recommendations are for the removal of the existing Universal Service Obligation (USO) by 2020, and that when this occurs, Telstra will have no obligation to maintain its copper network so ADSL may no longer be a supported option.
What kind of network is being proposed?
UPDATE 30/06/2022 - Opticomm will roll out a FTTP network utilising fibres installed along roadways similar to a standard NBN approach. There will be some differences in terms of how they achieve this.
What speeds can you expect on this network?
UPDATE 30/06/2022 - You will be able to get an internet plan through any of OPTICOMM's retail service providers (which includes a lot of known names). See here. Speeds of up to 1Gbps will be available.
What download limits can you expect on this network?
UPDATE 30/06/2022 - Depends on your chosen plan with your retail service provider (RSP), see above.
Can I use this network for phone calls?
Yes, the fibre to your home can support hundreds of simultaneous phone calls - but read on for details.
The network proposed is a modern fibre data network and has nothing to do with the old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) (Your existing landline). This means that you will NOT be plugging your old PSTN phone directly into the new network. In order to make and receive phone calls you will need to register with any one of a number of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) providers. For less than $5/month, these should be able to get your existing land-line number ported to a new VOIP service (or give you a new number). Once this is done, you will need either a new VOIP phone or an Analog Telephone Adaptor (ATA) for your existing phone to work (these come for as low as ~$30). The ATA can be plugged into the fibre network port in your home and your old phone can be plugged into the ATA. Think of it as a set-top-box for your phone to bring it into the modern digital era.
Of course, you could also just use a smart-phone to make VOIP calls directly via appropriate software. Any number of services can be supported (eg. Facetime, Skype, SIP based VOIP providers etc).
For those with both a smart-phone, a home wifi and an existing Telstra or Optus mobile account, you can also choose to enable "wifi calling". This essentially routes your mobile phone voice traffic through your home wifi connection rather than through the mobile network. This can greatly help people who are currently in mobile black-spots.
The above is all made possible due to the fact that the proposed fibre network can handle large amounts of traffic with minimal delays.
Do I need an ISP with this connection?
UPDATE 30/06/2022, once the fibre reaches your home and is ready for service, you will need to approach a retail service provider (RSP) that provides services on the OPTICOMM network (see here). An RSP is similar in what they do to the ISP you would have had previously. While the underlying network is provided by OPTICOMM, the month-to-month billing and services are provided by the RSPs. This is very similar in model to how NBN connections work.
Will I keep my current business@internetprovider.com email address?
Similar to the above, this is something you will need to sort out between your business and your current internet provider (if they are not also an RSP on the Opticomm network. If you currently have an email address such as:
your-business-name@your-current-ISP.com
then WCAG recommends you investigate the following options:
Register your own domain name with email hosting and make your business look much more professional by moving to an email such as your-name@your-business-name.com.au. This makes you independent of your ISP and allows you to freely move between communications providers (be they SFN, Satellite NBN or other providers).
If domain-registration is not your cup of tea, or you're looking at the least-cost option, you can always set up a free Gmail or similar free service (your-business-name@gmail.com). Again, this allows you to be completely independent from your ISP.
Alternatively, you can ask your current ISP to keep your email address active even if you don't have an internet account with them. Most larger ISPs offer email-only services (at a small fee).
The sooner you move to an independent email setup (options 1 & 2 above) the more time you will have available between now and when the fibre arrives in which you can forward your present emails to your new address and make your clients aware of your new email address.
More info?
As more information becomes available we will post it here.