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How to set up your iiNet NBN modem

Got an iiNet NBN plan and purchased a modem with it? Here’s what you need to know about getting online.

By Nathan Lawrence

May 05, 2022

4 min read

iiNet is an NBN provider that offers its cheapest plans as BYO, meaning you need to bring your own NBN-compatible router or modem-router to get online. Alternatively, you can accumulatively pay $192 for a TP-Link modem-router with 4G backup, which has a $0 hardware fee if you stick with iiNet for 24 months.

Before we get into the iiNet modem configuration specifics, check out a handful of daily updating popular iiNet NBN plans from our comparison engine below to start the sign-up process.

Pros and cons of using a provider modem

The two biggest pros of using a provider modem are they arrive preconfigured and ready to go out of the box, plus they’re so much easier to troubleshoot. If you prefer a BYO modem, you won’t have to think about hardware exit fees, you may be able to preserve your favourite settings, access faster speeds than provider modems (specifically compared to older models), and have a greater degree of freedom in tweaking your network settings. The biggest downside is potential compatibility and support concerns, which is why providers like Telstra and Optus strongly encourage you to use the modem they send.

iiNet NBN modem options

Signing up for any iiNet NBN plan gives you the option of adding a high-speed NBN modem with 4G backup. This should be a TP-Link VX420-G2H but it may also be the TP-Link VX420-G2V, both of which are modem-routers, which means they’ll work with any iiNet plan and on any NBN technology.

Alternatively, older iiNet users looking to reconfigure their iiNet modem may be working with a TP-Link VR1600v modem-router. Whichever iiNet modem you’re working with, we have the relevant configuration steps below.

Universal steps for setting up an iiNet NBN modem

Before you get started with any hardware configuration for your iiNet NBN modem, make sure you have a message from iiNet letting you know you’re ready to connect. Unbox the iiNet modem-router and make note of the WiFi network name and password, which may be underneath the device.

For all of the iiNet modems, ideal placement is in the centre of your home and away from electrical devices that may cause interference. You also want to be within reach of a power outlet and near enough to the NBN connection box (if your NBN technology uses one) so you can link the two via Ethernet cable. Alternatively, Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) (FTTB) and Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) (FTTN) users should place the iiNet NBN modem within reach of an NBN wall outlet.

You can go ahead and plug in your iiNet modem-router to power. Don’t switch it on just yet.

We’ll outline the specific steps for each device, including variations for different NBN technologies (where applicable), but once you’re up and running, use those WiFi network details to connect all of the relevant devices in your home. You can also use Ethernet cables to connect compatible devices, too.

What’s my NBN technology type?

If you’re wondering which NBN technology connects your home, head to the NBN website. At the top of the page, enter your address in the ‘Check your address’ field then confirm it from the drop-down options and click/tap ‘View results’. The results page includes a section entitled ‘Technology used in your connection’, which will tell you the NBN technology that connects your address.

iiNet TP-Link VX420-G2H and VX420-G2V setup guide

Conveniently, the steps for setting up the TP-Link VX420-G2H and VX420-G2V modem-routers are identical, so you don’t even need to check to see which model you have.

Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP), Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) and Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC) iiNet customers will be using the TP-Link VX420-G2H or VX420-G2V as a router, connecting to the NBN connection box (aka the NBN modem). Connect an Ethernet cable between the UNI-D1 port (FTTP and HFC) or Gateway port (FTTC) on your NBN connection box, then plug the other end into the blue WAN port on the modem-router.

Instead of an Ethernet cable, FTTN and FTTB iiNet customers should connect one end of a telephone cable to the NBN wall socket and the other end to the grey DSL port on the modem-router. No filters should be used between the modem-router and the NBN wall socket.

Now power on the modem-router and wait up to 15 minutes for the modem-router to boot up properly and attempt an automatic connection. You can tell that everything is working by corresponding green lights for Power, Internet and WAN on the modem-router. When you start connecting devices via WiFi, the 2.4GHz and 5GHz lights should be green, too. The LAN LEDs will also light up if you connect compatible devices via Ethernet cable (up to four).

As you use the internet, the other light to keep an eye out for is the 4G one, which will only illuminate in the event of an NBN outage when the 4G backup takes over. Note that any iiNet landline phone service won’t work while 4G backup is being used.

iiNet TP-Link VR1600v setup guide

FTTP, HFC and FTTC iiNet customers will be using the TP-Link VR1600v as a router, linking the iiNet-provided modem-router to the NBN connection box. To do this, connect an Ethernet cable to the blue WAN port on the TP-Link VR1600v, and the other end to either the Gateway (FTTC) or UNI-D1 port (FTTP and HFC) on the NBN connection box.

Alternatively, FTTN and FTTB users should connect a telephone cable to the grey DSL port on the TP-Link VR1600v, then connect the other end to the NBN wall socket (without any line filters).

Regardless of the NBN technology that connects your home, the next step is to power on the TP-Link VR1600v and give it 15 minutes to boot and configure. After 15 minutes, check for a green light on the Internet indicator. If that’s on, everything is working correctly and you can connect devices via WiFi or Ethernet. If that Internet light isn’t on, get in touch with iiNet support.

For other iiNet modems, including older devices, follow these guided configuration steps for FTTP, HFC and FTTC homes or these instructions for FTTN and FTTB abodes.

Got a landline phone service with iiNet?

Regardless of the modem-router above, if you have a landline phone service with iiNet as part of your NBN plan, you’ll need to connect a compatible handset to your modem-router. For all compatible phones, connect a telephone cable between handset and the UNI-V1 port on the modem-router. If that doesn’t work, iiNet advises trying the UNI-V2 port.

Written by

Nathan Lawrence

Nathan Lawrence has been banging out passionate tech and gaming words for more than 11 years. These days, you can find his work on outlets like IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull and AusGamers. Nathan adores PC gaming and the proof of his first-person-shooter prowess is at the top of a Battlefield V scoreboard.