What to Expect on Unifi Installation Day: A Complete Guide

You've submitted your Unifi application, it's been approved, and you've been given an installation appointment. Now you're wondering: what actually happens on the day? How long will it take? What do you need to prepare?

Here's a complete, honest guide to the Unifi installation process so you know exactly what to expect.

Before Installation Day

Once your application is approved, TM will contact you to schedule an installation appointment. Appointments are typically available on weekdays and weekends, usually in morning (8am–12pm) or afternoon (2pm–6pm) slots.

What you need to prepare:

• Make sure someone aged 18 or above is present at the premises
• Decide where you want the router placed (more on this below)
• Note any areas of the house where you specifically need Wi-Fi coverage
• Clear the area where the outdoor cable entry point will be

The best router placement: Think in advance about where your router should go. Ideally, it should be in a central location in your home — not tucked in a corner, not on the floor, and not behind a TV. If you want the router in a specific room, let the technician know early in the visit so they can plan the cable routing accordingly.

The Installation Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Cable Entry (30–60 minutes)

The technician's first task is bringing the fibre cable from outside your premises to the inside. For a landed house, this usually involves:

• Running a cable from TM's distribution point along your street
• Drilling a small hole through your wall to bring the cable indoors
• Installing a weatherproof cable entry point on the exterior

For apartments and condos, the fibre cable is usually already in the riser room of the building. The technician will run a cable from there to your unit — either through the existing cable tray or by drilling through your unit's wall.

The hole is small (about 10–12mm in diameter) and is sealed with a waterproof fitting. Most homeowners barely notice it once installed.

Step 2: Installing the ONU (Optical Network Unit)

The ONU is a small white box (about the size of a thick hardcover book) that converts the optical signal from the fibre cable into a standard Ethernet signal that your router can use.

This is typically installed near the cable entry point. The technician will mount it on a wall or place it on a surface, connect the fibre cable, and power it up.

Step 3: Connecting and Configuring the Router

Once the ONU is active, the technician connects your Wi-Fi router to it using a short Ethernet cable. They'll then log into the router to:

• Configure your internet connection settings
• Set up your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password
• Enable the dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks
• Verify the router is receiving the correct speed from TM

For 1Gbps and 2Gbps plans with Mesh nodes, they'll also set up and position the additional Mesh unit to ensure whole-home coverage.

Step 4: Speed Test and Handover (15–30 minutes)

Before leaving, the technician will run a speed test to verify that your connection is delivering the speed you're paying for. They'll also:

• Explain the basic features of your router
• Show you how to reset the router if needed
• Provide your Wi-Fi name and password on a sticker or card
• Ask you to sign a job completion form

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

For a standard landed house installation: 1.5 to 3 hours.

For apartments and condos (where the building infrastructure is already in place): typically 1 to 2 hours.

If there are complications — like a particularly long cable run, difficult wall drilling, or building management requirements — it may take longer.

Is There Any Disruption?

There will be brief moments of noise from drilling, but it's minimal. The technician will ask for your preferred cable routing to minimise disruption to walls and existing fixtures.

Your existing internet connection (if any) won't be affected during installation. Once Unifi is up and running, you simply stop using your old connection.

After Installation: What's Next?

Once the technician leaves, your internet is live. A few things to do right away:

1. Download the MyUnifi app — to monitor your connection, manage your account, and report issues
2. Connect all your devices to your new Wi-Fi network
3. Change your Wi-Fi password to something memorable and secure
4. Test the speed from different rooms to identify any coverage gaps

Have more questions about the installation process? WhatsApp us — we're happy to walk you through anything before your appointment day. We want your experience to be smooth from start to finish.