broadband plans and modems

[Double D]

I'm using a bit of free time on the insanely boring task of sifting through broadband (adsl) plans for a new place. So many plans and competition, about to do my head in.

Think I'm going to go with iiNet - good speed and reliability and no contract.

Just wondering what the deal is with modems?

Do I need something really flash ($300), or will the standard adsl 2+ enabled be enough (from $110)?

What are "ports" and do I need 1 or 4 for a PC and maybe laptop soon?

Is it better to buy from the ISPs for easy installation, or worth the savings of online/ebay? I know there is compatability issues to think about...

Any knowing computer nerds able to give advice? Cheers

[nic]

Get a pci or usb wireless thingo and check to make sure no idiots/benevolents close by have open wireless interent.

[system]

to make sure no idiots/benevolents close by have open wireless interent.

Share and share alike.

[deviant]

look no futher than http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/

I've had broadband for over 7 years...

Get a good modem with router and firewall inbuilt, do not get a USB modem. iinet plans are actually cheaper if you get them bundled with VOIP. Then you can get a modem with a VOIP port and make calls to anywhere in Australia for 15cents un-timed

[aspekt]

look no futher than http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/

I've had broadband for over 7 years...

Get a good modem with router and firewall inbuilt, do not get a USB modem. iinet plans are actually cheaper if you get them bundled with VOIP. Then you can get a modem with a VOIP port and make calls to anywhere in Australia for 15cents un-timed

if you have a sharehouse and sharing the phone bill is a pain (or it doesn't get used), get optus cable internet (if it's in your area). If you bundle it with you mobile it's pretty cheap. that way you're not paying for line rental on a phone you're not using.

NZ has the right idea as they changed the legislation so you can have adsl without having to have a phone line (or paying for a phone line).
telstra's monopoly on telcoms in this country is fucked. i really hate those guys with a passion, they do nothing for themselves or their customers except cry about losing their monopoly. dickheads.

A couple of my clients are with ozemail adsl and it works pretty well except they connected before the iinet buyout who now pretty much insist you bundle. another client is with internode and they seem to be pretty good.

[jungle_tactics]

I'm using a bit of free time on the insanely boring task of sifting through broadband (adsl) plans for a new place. So many plans and competition, about to do my head in.

Think I'm going to go with iiNet - good speed and reliability and no contract.

Just wondering what the deal is with modems?

Do I need something really flash ($300), or will the standard adsl 2+ enabled be enough (from $110)?

What are "ports" and do I need 1 or 4 for a PC and maybe laptop soon?

Is it better to buy from the ISPs for easy installation, or worth the savings of online/ebay? I know there is compatability issues to think about...

Any knowing computer nerds able to give advice? Cheers

Haha, this is exactly what I went through about 6 months ago. Mind you I'm
pretty IT savy and still needed some help.

To start with, I'm with iiNet for their ADSL2+ and its bliztingly fast. I get
around 2mb per second on average.

The connection is rock solid, customer service from iiNet is AWESOME and
I highly reccomend them.

Now you did mension no contract... something interesting. I signed up
for no contract (and paid through the fucking nose for it) knowing full
well I'd be moving in 5 months. I call to relocate 5 months later and they
try and sting me $69 for early disconnection fee. Apparently this is a
standard fee charged by Telstra and thus they have to recoup their costs.

I argued and had the fee waived but it might be something to take into
consideration.

As far as modems go it actually does make quite a difference in the long
run. It will also depend on how far you are from the exchange as
to which modem to buy. Some work well on a long line with crappy line
quality. Some work better with a shorter distance.

If you can find out post here?

The more ports on your modem/router the more PCs you can connect.
So for 2 PC's you'll need... yep you guessed it 2 ports.

If you don't know a lot about PCs or don't know someone who does then
get the ISP to install it. Or just buy a modem that they support.

If you don't and choose your own modem that they don't support then they
won't be able to help much when you need it.

Hope that helps.

[Double D]

Thanks guys.

Most of what was said here is what I was thinking of doing, so that's reassuring.

I think I'm gonna go with iinet. It's just such a bitch to have to pay $30-35 a month for a phone line I'm never going to use for calls...

Now onto fridges and washing machines... (Oh the joys...)

[breaksRbest]

I've been using AANET for a couple of years and not had a problem, until recently. There mail servers are FUCKED

as soon as I move house I'll be switching to iinet (thank god my contract is over)

[Lil MiSbreaks]

Thanks guys.

Most of what was said here is what I was thinking of doing, so that's reassuring.

I think I'm gonna go with iinet. It's just such a bitch to have to pay $30-35 a month for a phone line I'm never going to use for calls...

Now onto fridges and washing machines... (Oh the joys...)

And ive actually got a billion modem, second hand, but never used to sell if you want too

[kronz]

The interweb is for nerds.

[deviant]

I've been using AANET for a couple of years and not had a problem, until recently. There mail servers are FUCKED

as soon as I move house I'll be switching to iinet (thank god my contract is over)

gmail ftw!!

It's just such a bitch to have to pay $30-35 a month for a phone line I'm never going to use for calls...

You can get discount $18 line rental form telstra if you specify that you want it for local calls only

[Rob M]

Telstra is releasing the ADSL1 wholesale caps. You can now get ADSL1 at 8mbit!

Bigpond + Internode right now as far as i'm aware of, other ISP's soon to follow...

1.5mbit prices have concordantly dropped also. I'm also with Internode and I'll be transferring to the new 1.5mbit plans as i'm on 512k right now.

Internode are releasing the new plans as of today (Jan 10th). And full access should be apparent in 5- 7days!

FAQ for node users:
http://www.internode.on.net/adsl/planchanges/

Prices:
http://www.internode.on.net/rc/rcf.html

FYI: I'm not going 8mbit because my modem can't go over 4.5mbit, I got a billion 711ce modem. Sucks, but I can live with it.

[deviant]

I've been using an ADSL 1 modem on an ADSL 2+ line (coz I'm a cheap-skate) and it works pretty super fast. Adding more computers soon though, so I'm going to have to upgrade me thinks.

[Double D]

Damn.

Don't think I can get ADSL2 in new place (Carlton exchange).

That means iinet plans are going to end up much more expensive for a much worse speed.

Checking out these new Internode plans now (where Telstra has given them more access), but seem only good value if you have ADSL2 access...


I really can't for Telstra.

[Double D]

And ive actually got a billion modem, second hand, but never used to sell if you want too

Check your PMs

[JAMESSSS]

I've been using an ADSL 1 modem on an ADSL 2+ line (coz I'm a cheap-skate) and it works pretty super fast. Adding more computers soon though, so I'm going to have to upgrade me thinks.

Can I run a cable accross to my place?

[deviant]

sure, just wrap it around the tram's overhead cable.

[breaksRbest]

I've been using AANET for a couple of years and not had a problem, until recently. There mail servers are FUCKED

as soon as I move house I'll be switching to iinet (thank god my contract is over)

gmail ftw!!

IMO it's not too professional to give a gmail address as your business email.

I use it when the server goes down though

[deviant]

I use gmail to send and recieve all my business email through

dan (at) rocklikethis.com.au

works a treat

[JAMESSSS]

I use gmail to send and recieve all my business email through

dan (at) rocklikethis.com.au

works a treat

Really?

[deviant]

no I was lying....



send me an email

[breaksRbest]

I didn't realise you could change the last part of the email address?

thought it had to be @gmail.com????

[deviant]

technically it is.... I've set up a re-direct so that all my mail get's re-directed to dan.fardon/at/gmail.com, within gmail you can send from another address by simply adding an account and validating ownership of that acount....

every email you send has a drop down box to select "from"

thus......

[deviant]

the in-browser chat is also farken awesome.

The way it searches is dope.

The way it handles replies, forwards and multiple recipient conversations is farken great.

I can use it away from my home.

you have 3GB of storage and can get an application that allows you to use that as a use-anywhere hard drive.

the spam filtering is better than any plug-in I've used before too.

I love gmail

[breaksRbest]

I gmail too, but if I was just re-directing the emails from my current address wouldn't I have the same problems?

If the AAnet server is down will the email still re-direct to my gmail account?

:noidea:

[deviant]

are you using ***/at/printnpromote.com?

it depends on where your domain host is. They don't usually have a mail server running (unless you install one), but they do have a gateway with a bunch of rules you can enter...... is aanet your ISP or your domain host? or both? in which case I don't really know what to do because they probably have it all set up within their network

[breaksRbest]

trying to decide between iiNet ADSL2+ or Optarse Cable

What's faster?

Optus works out $10 a month cheaper and I get 10Gb per month more (off peak)

I just want the fastest

[Fents]

ADSL2 is the fastest.

I have optus cable at home and its fine for me.

[spiral]

internode fan here

[breaksRbest]

ADSL2 is the fastest.

I have optus cable at home and its fine for me.

How much faster is it? Noticeably?

[Fents]

I notice a tiny difference when i download stuff at work as opposed to home but fuck all really in the scheme of things.

[Mellogs]

iiNet FTW

[shepherd]

second that mel - iinet are awesome and are a client of mine too.

[breaksRbest]

iinet are gonna take between 10 - 15 days to connect it, Optus can have it done by tomorrow

I'm still leaning towards iinet though, if ADSL2+ is faster than cable

[Mellogs]

ADSL 2+ is heaps faster than cable!!

I was going to get optus, but they would have to send someone around to install stuff and it was too much of a hasle. Even though I could bundle the optus package with my mobile and get a discount.

iiNet overall were a much better option - Modem arrived in 2 days and all we had to do is plug it in to the existing phone line. Decided to go with a cheap plan so we could see how much we were going to d/l and have the option of upgrading if required.

[ADD_Boy]

I just got one of these (Telstra though not voda)

[system]

^ be careful, the data charges on NextG are big if you exceed the plan.

[mecka]

ADSL 2+ is heaps faster than cable!!

I was going to get optus, but they would have to send someone around to install stuff and it was too much of a hasle. Even though I could bundle the optus package with my mobile and get a discount.

iiNet overall were a much better option - Modem arrived in 2 days and all we had to do is plug it in to the existing phone line. Decided to go with a cheap plan so we could see how much we were going to d/l and have the option of upgrading if required.

wait... u has broadband now?

[Mellogs]

not in my house. my step dads

[mecka]

ahh

[nic]

adsl 2 is for the 'internet badman'

nice n quick on everything

im with tpg on 18gb 49.00 plan, pretty happy

i find it good, allthough had 'some' noticeable speed drops on weekends that I noticed.

im close to cbd exchange though and apparently that makes a difference.

[wilks]

I didn't realise you could change the last part of the email address?

thought it had to be @gmail.com????

If you have control over your domain you can use Google Apps, works a treat, have email for about 5 domains hosted there.

http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/ad ... s_spe.html

You can even buy a domain through one of thier partners and have all the config done for you. They're cheap and they willl host it for nout.

[SoulWhiteMan]

I just got one of these (Telstra though not voda)

wireless is the biggest con job in the world

ever

[SoulWhiteMan]

adsl 2 is for the 'internet badman'

nice n quick on everything

im with tpg on 18gb 49.00 plan, pretty happy

i find it good, allthough had 'some' noticeable speed drops on weekends that I noticed.

im close to cbd exchange though and apparently that makes a difference.

tpg will give you slight speed variances
theres some opensource tpc speed checking shite where you can specify what speed you want shit to come in at

we set ours to a "constant" 1.380 mb/s (on a 1.5 plan) and it is much smoother and more consistant

you can also call tpg and say you want "maximum" tpc etc apparantly they can vary it "for stability" hmmm.........

[unsoundbwoy]

unwired.com.au
working out for me
no phone

[breaksRbest]

after having massive dramas with a faulty phone line, then a faulty modem and all sorts of other shit I'm finally connected again!!

Having problems connecting my wireless router though. My Network Assistant says that the wireless network is connected and the signal strength excellent, but when I unplug the ethernet cable from my laptop and plug it into the wireless router it says I'm not connected to the internet?

GGRRRRRRR

[system]

after having massive dramas with a faulty phone line, then a faulty modem and all sorts of other shit I'm finally connected again!!

Having problems connecting my wireless router though. My Network Assistant says that the wireless network is connected and the signal strength excellent, but when I unplug the ethernet cable from my laptop and plug it into the wireless router it says I'm not connected to the internet?

GGRRRRRRR

are the authentication details for your adsl connection set up in your wireless router? (it might only be in your computer, hence the problem when you disconnect.)

[breaksRbest]

I'm not the best at I.T stuff, so bear with me if you can


I've opened up the TCP/IP pop-up box for the wireless router and all the boxes are empty.

Should those boxes have the same numbers as when I do the same for my modem?

[diode]

When you say cable modem I presume you have a wireless router plugged into this?

Go into the router and add WPA encryption for your wireless connection and note down the key......Make sure display SSID is enabled and choose something other than the default name.

Now go to your wireless connection and find the SSID name and choose connect...now enter in your key that you entered earlier in your router and it should connect.

You can now hide your SSID in your router if you like...