Wireless Internet - I need help

[Mysty]

Ok so heres the deal..

I want to get wireless connected in my flat. There will be 4 or 5 people who will want to connect up to this.
I am currently connected to Optus DSL Broadband on the 128kbps speed and about 20-30GB d/loading space each month.

I have called Optus twice and gotten two quite different stories about wireless (gotta love Optus huh….)


STORY ONE
• I need a Wireless Router (price $220 from Optus) then I can go on a plan for $99 a month with fast connection, lots of d/load space and cheap phone calls etc.
She said the all the computers in the house would need nothing else to connect up to the network and that it would work straight away


STORY TWO
• I can buy a Wireless Router from Dick Smith etc for $70 - $100 and I should not spend anymore than that, as it doesn’t affect the Wireless speed, only the speed between computers in the house if we want to communicate between ourselves.
He said that we would all need a Wireless Network Card or USB Adapter unless we have laptops (as most have these already) and these cost between $25 - $50.
The strange thing was is that he then said that I do not need a plan with Optus to be connected to Wireless and that I just need to go to some DSL site (or something) and type in PPPOE and this will connect up my wireless and I would not need a plan…..?


The 2nd story was sounding about right except for the last part. Now I am really confused…..!



Can anyone please help me out?

Thanks

[Will]

Yeah, you're pretty much on it.

You just need to buy a router and plug that into your modem. Each computer will need a wireless card though.

The only problem with buying a third-party router from Dick Smith is that Optus probably won't give you tech support if you have problems.

The easiest way to go is to get an integrated wireless router/modem. Way simpler, but more expensive.

[DBoy]

I have a few wireless cards you can have if your computer does not have inbuilt Mysty. Hit me up.

[taylem]

Ok so there is wireless internet (ie you get a wireless modem and connect to a wide area signal put out by Optus). This would make the DSL connection redundant. Its usually significantly slower and more expensive than a standard ADSL connection

And then there is wireless networking within your house, which is a seperate deal. You can keep your current ADSL connection, buy a wireless router and share the connection to everyone in your house wirelessly.

I'm not a 100% on wireless internet, but im pretty sure you would need to buy a router for sharing, as well as getting a wireless modem anyway. So you'd be paying more, for less, lower quality internet, in a situation where you aren't really going to be using the service to its full capacity (ie going and sitting in the park with your lappy to check your emails or whatever).

[system]

STORY TWO
• I can buy a Wireless Router from Dick Smith etc for $70 - $100 and I should not spend anymore than that, as it doesn’t affect the Wireless speed, only the speed between computers in the house if we want to communicate between ourselves.
He said that we would all need a Wireless Network Card or USB Adapter unless we have laptops (as most have these already) and these cost between $25 - $50.

that's about right. will had a good point about the benefits of an integrated wireless gateway & dsl modem though.

The strange thing was is that he then said that I do not need a plan with Optus to be connected to Wireless and that I just need to go to some DSL site (or something) and type in PPPOE and this will connect up my wireless and I would not need a plan…..?

he might have been referring to straight wireless isps (like iburst/unwired)... or just straight out talking smack.

[system]

Ok so there is wireless internet (ie you get a wireless modem and connect to a wide area signal put out by Optus). This would make the DSL connection redundant. Its usually significantly slower and more expensive than a standard ADSL connection

And then there is wireless networking within your house, which is a seperate deal. You can keep your current ADSL connection, buy a wireless router and share the connection to everyone in your house wirelessly.

I'm not a 100% on wireless internet, but im pretty sure you would need to buy a router for sharing, as well as getting a wireless modem anyway. So you'd be paying more, for less, lower quality internet, in a situation where you aren't really going to be using the service to its full capacity (ie going and sitting in the park with your lappy to check your emails or whatever).

absolutely correct.

[fooishbar]

The strange thing was is that he then said that I do not need a plan with Optus to be connected to Wireless and that I just need to go to some DSL site (or something) and type in PPPOE and this will connect up my wireless and I would not need a plan…..?

he might have been referring to straight wireless isps (like iburst/unwired)... or just straight out talking smack.

sounds like he's talking about an integrated modem/ap and how to configure same.

[almax]

for starters GET RID OF OPTUS!

we had nothing but trouble with them grrrr

[Mysty]

Ok cool..

Will - would the integrated wireless router/modem be the one that is around the $220 mark?

D - thanks that would be great

Taylem & System - thanks for the explanation

So let me see if Ive got this right…

My best option is to
• Get wireless networking within my house
• keep my current plan with Optus
• buy a combined wireless modem/router
• everyone gets wireless cards

and hey presto we’re away!


Al - I know they make me so so so mad… however I am bound by contract

[almax]

Al - I know they make me so so so mad… however I am bound by contract

So were we, we broke it with 4 months left, couldnt be fucked with their shit anymore and preferred to pay out the contract.
The last straw was when they repeatedly changed the password on us without any notification so then we would have to call them to get the new one which meant waiting on hold for 45 odd minutes to get through to someone.

[system]

let me see if Ive got this right…

My best option is to
• Get wireless networking within my house
• keep my current plan with Optus
• buy a combined wireless modem/router
• everyone gets wireless cards

and hey presto we’re away!

the first point means the same as the last two, but otherwise all good.

[Will]

Ok cool..

Will - would the integrated wireless router/modem be the one that is around the $220 mark?

Not sure. Mine was around $350, but that was about 18 months ago.

Wireless internet is the muthafucken bomb. I love it so much.

[Mysty]

Awesome thanks heaps

[portal]

Get a linksys wireless router.

Don't skimp on it, the crappy ones are nightmare to get to work, and keep connected.

You might need a booster antenna somewhere in the house too.

[Lós Kasino—]

G - make sure you use WPA encryption / password.. otherwise your neighbours could be stealing ur net!

[huge]

you have to turn the middle side topwise or it wont work at all.