Hello,
Very new to the Microtik solution but was interested when I realised I could potentially utilise a RBM33G as a NBN router to replace some of the awful routers which the Service providers are supplying in Australia as part of their deployments.
The only issue I can see is that in most cases the NBN router is also presenting one or two RJ11 for connecting phone lines over the NBN service (Not VoIP). See the back of a Sagemcom as an example (attached file)
The requirement for a device that can do a little more than just NAT onto the NBN and DHCP to the LAN is definetely there but will need to support the phone lines to make it work.
RBM33G is an odd choice - and more an integrator part - Mikrotik have much more fully fledged Home/SOHO offerings (see hAP range)
NBN in Australia is not a ubiquitous network (no not ubiquiti :P) in that it uses a mix of technologies from Fixed Wireless, to VDSL (FTTN,FTTC), HFC, Satellite and FTTH (Fiber to the home).
In some of these circumstances - the hand-off to the customer is a standard Ethernet hand-off (FTTC, FTTH, Fixed Wireless) - which means that you can use just about any Mikrotik router as your router for these services. I’m in an FTTH area (yay!) and personally use an RB4011!
For FTTN areas where the user must supply a modem to interpret the VDSL signal - that is where RJ11 is required. In Mikrotik land, creating and certifying VDSL modems, and fitting to each regions certification process is a HUGE and EXPENSIVE undertaking. One which I don’t think interests them (due to it being older technology anyways).
The general fit-all solution for xDSL to a router like Mikrotik would be to use a very basic, simple 1 port modem that connects to the RJ11, demodulates the VDSL signal and bridges out the ethernet, allowing your Mikrotik to take on the WAN duties (PPPoE or IPoE). Some people have also had success in getting special SFP units that can do VDSL (or ADSL etc) and grabbing a Mikrotik model that has an SFP slot and using that. I believe its hit and miss, as these SFP’s can be picky, and can run hot too - so its definitely a risk to see if it works for you but
Edit: After re-reading your post I realise you may be talking about a VoIP ATA built into these modems - and again this comes down to a dying technology (why not buy proper VoIP/SIP phones) and certification in the different major regions being costly - along with supporting a new chipset / increasing costs etc. You can buy stand-alone VoIP ATA’s for this purpose, but there are that many good home-style DECT phones that support VoIP natively I don’t see the point anymore.
The input RJ11 is used where the NBN is provided via FTTN and, from a user’s point of view, is no different to an ADSL connection in that the modem/router (VDSL for NBN) plugs in to your home phone point. The output RJ11 points on the router are used where someone has also signed up for an NBN phone service (This is different to a standard VoIP or SIP service even though it runs over the Internet) and is regardless of the NBN service delivery type (I had FTTC with an NBN phone so used RJ45 input on the router from the NBN provided box). When I stopped using the NBN phone service I change the router to a hAP lite (RB941-2nD) which gave better performance than the router my ISP provided.
I have used Mikrotik products to interface to the NBN just fine for years now. Devices include RB3011, RB4011, hAPAC2, CAPAC, hEX and the hAP Mini to FTTN, FTTC and FW - I have yet to see a FTTH connection as they are super rare where I am.
They all work just fine. In your case you need a VDSL2 modem to give you an ethernet port for the Mikrotik to plug into. You can use many of the nasty ISP modems to do this if you put them in bridge mode. They work just fine as VDSL2 bridges. I have set up Telstra TG799VACs, Draytek Vigor 130, Netcomm and Netgear devices to do this. If you get a Routerboard with an SFP port you can also plug in a this Proscend VDSL2 SFP module: - https://shop.duxtel.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=488
The Telstra TG799VACs are no longer supplied but are cheap and still in the wrapper off eBay and make great FTTN bridge mode devices.
xDSL is old school but we’re stuck with it now in spades in Australia for a long time to come now due to politics. Don’t get me started.