I am thinking it may be an option to no longer have a home phone and over to wireless, but really do not know what that means. I have friends who use their mobiles for calls and do all their internet from an ipad or laptop. I am spending around $90 a month for unlimited (rather slow most of the time) internet and home phone, and voip (which continually gives me problems) I am no longer on a contract, so wonder if someone could please explain to me what options are available. thanks
Internet do need to have a home phone line advice plz
bsk on 20/02/2014 - 15:07
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Clarification: Naked ADSL doesn't require a phone account, but you still have to have a physical phone line in place and available for the ADSL.
good place to start looking for plans
be realistic about your usage though…no point lying to yourself here
bear in mind some plans count uploads and downloads
Wireless can mean 2 completely different things:
1) WiFi - you have a Wireless router or Modem/Router that distributes internet from (usually Phone or Foxtel Cable) to devices by WiFi or by Ethernet cable.
2) 3G or 4G - you have a USB or standalone device that has a SIM card and connects to the Mobile telephone network to access the internet. The standalone type devices use WiFi as per (1) to distribute internet to your devices. The USB type is plugged into the USB port of a computer and only that computer can access the internet.With Option
1) you usually pay $50+/month for Internet (and Telephone line rental) and get 20Gb or more of data
2) you pay anywhere from $30-$150/month for 1-10Gb of data
Speeds for either will vary dramatically depending on your location.If you use less than 4Gb of data per month, then moving to a 3G or 4G plan might work out cheaper, assuming you don't need a home phone.
If you use more than 5Gb of data or need a home phone then ADSL or Cable internet is probably the better option..
Definitely worth investigating Exetel or TPG is you're price sensistive. Their plans are pretty hard to beat for both Phone and internet.My colleague got rid of phone line and ADSL and got one of http://www.iinet.net.au/internet/broadband/mobile/. He got the 4G hardware on contact so costs him $59.95 for 15GB.
Does what he needs and actually faster than the DSL connection he used to have.
My mother-in-law has a 4G Telstra USB dongle and pays $20/mth for 2 or 3GB. If she needs more, then a quick log on to her account and she upgrades for the rest of the month if needs be.
Do your homework on your usage, and see if you start to use more, how easy is it to change plans. It isn't always the cheapest plans which give the lowest bills.
Pax
Both my Mother and I use wifi broadband modems (dongles) for internet use; landline connections are not required at all. Both are on post paid plans. I use Virgin (which utilises Optus towers) in Cranbourne and Mother uses Vodafone (Frankston); both cost $39.90 each month for 12GB. On my 12GB plan it can be topped up an additional 1GB if required in the month for $15. I find Virgin better for travelling as there are no roaming charges involved, whereas the Vodafone one can incur additional costs for roaming. If you are comparing plans that is something to consider (roaming fees), apart from the best speed for your district. That iinet 4G option of $59.95 for 15GB (mentioned above) sounds interesting too; maybe worth looking into.
Landline connections are not required at all; I actually don't have a landline phone at all as it is cheaper to use mobile phones from Cranbourne, so I don't have a need for landline connection at all. The broadband modems can be charged either direct to a power point or a computer/laptop via usb. Both can also be utilised by other laptops, phones, iPads, etc. as long as they have access to the code which is located behind the battery in the modems. We find that once the code is input into the device it is not needed to be input again. We often have a number of laptops etc using the same wifi service; no problems there.
Vodafone Roaming??
Are you thinking 3 maybe?We have used the Virgin wifi modem in Mount Hotham (was told only Telstra worked there), Moama (fastest internet ever there?!), and also the Gold Coast, without attracting any roaming fees. We also took the Vodafone (not 3) wifi modem to Mount Hotham but it did attract roaming fees (Summer 2012). Just our experiences with these devices.
We use Vodafone for all our mobile phones though. There is some reciprocal agreement with 3 overseas; just have to ensure the travelling mobile is covered for this service, by contacting Vodafone prior to travel. One of these Vodafone mobile phones was on the UK 2 years ago (2 months) and it did not incur any charges for any calls at all to/from any of our mobiles (using Vodafone to Vodafone free calls). Must admit I was skeptical at first that they would actually be free calls but hey, I pay all the bills, so i can personally vouch that I paid no extra. Hope this agreement still applies as this mobile phone is travelling back to the UK again in a few months
Wow- $90/month seems excessive. Mine: Router FritzBox 7390 hooked up via VoIP (works perfectly) to TPG 50gigs = $29/month, no contract. VoIP provided by freecall.net.au - trouble-free on all counts for the last 4 years, and great customer service, always. My Tel$tra phone bill alone used to be $280/mth. Now Freecall is $30/mth. Major saving for me.
Before you sign an ADSL deal, please be aware of the NBN fibre rollout and whether your area has been done, or will be in the near future:
http://www.nbnco.com.au/when-do-i-get-it.htmlThings are in a state of flux with Turnbull at the moment. However, the NBN policy still states that once fibre is delivered and it's deemed "ready for service", the copper line will be disconnected 18 months thereafter.
Something to keep in mind before signing up to ADSL (copper) on a long contract if you're in that situation.
If you're on contract when the Copper is cut, the contract will cease cause the ISP is unable to satisfy the terms of the contract.
Simply put, usually Adsl requires home phone. Naked Adsl doesnt, but it costs about the same, sometimes give you less Gb than normal Adsl. If you are in NBN area, you are in luck, no need home phone and greater speed. Thats all the affordable options I know of.
There are also satellite nbn or adsl which put larger hole in your pocket.
Good luck!