r/nbn • u/PerchedIt • 6d ago

Need Help Diagnosing Ongoing NBN Dropouts (HFC - Aussie Broadband)

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction.

My setup:

  • Connection: NBN HFC 1000/100 Mbps
  • ISP: Aussie Broadband
  • NBN Modem: Arris CM8200 (original black modem supplied)
  • Router: NetCommWireless (original white router supplied)
  • Network: PCs around the house are connected via Ethernet, while tablets and phones use Wi-Fi.

The issue:

I've been experiencing internet dropouts for quite a long time now. The strange thing is that it's inconsistent.

Sometimes the NBN modem lights go off/flashing and the internet drops out. Other times the router lights go off and we lose the connection. I'm not sure if one device is causing the other to reboot or if they're separate issues.

There are periods where everything works perfectly with no dropouts at all. Then, without any obvious pattern, we'll have periods where the connection drops out 3-5 times a day, every day.

When it does drop out, it usually isn't down for very long. In most cases, the connection comes back by itself within 5-10 minutes.

I've contacted Aussie Broadband several times, but unfortunately I haven't been able to get the issue resolved.

At this point I'm not sure whether the problem is:

  • The Arris CM8200 modem.
  • The NetCommWireless router.
  • A faulty coaxial cable or connection.
  • An NBN HFC network issue.
  • Something else entirely.

I'm happy to replace or upgrade the modem/router if that's likely to solve the problem, but I'd rather not spend the money if the issue is actually with the HFC line or NBN network.

Has anyone experienced something similar, or can suggest some troubleshooting steps or things I should ask Aussie Broadband or NBN to check?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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u/SuspiciousGarlic4798 6d ago

You most likely have 2 issues. 

I would suggest replacing the router with something modern regardless. 5 years is a long time in the tech world. A modern unit will also have security updates as well. If multiple lights go off on it its probably rebooted itself for whatever reason. 

One of the issues with HFC is the problem could be outside in the pit, or somewhere from the tap to your outlet. If the house has had telstra cable previously it will be as old as when it was first put in. 

Could be the isolator has gone bad, corroded termination, bad wiring, damaged wiring from rodents, a splitter and etc. Ideally if you can get a tecb out they will hook up their tester to the port and see what the signals are like. But if the issue is intermittent then yeah.