Granny Needs Speed ; Granny needs Data

[Deactivated] on 22/05/2015 - 23:24
Last edited 22/05/2015 - 23:25

Hello,

A friend's son is moving into what he refers to as a 1-bedroom unit. Basically its a granny flat at the back of the main residence.He's a uni student and requires access to fast speed internet. He was on a TPG ADSL2+ plan at his dad's and would like to take it with him to his new digs.

There is no phone socket in the granny house. If he has to, he could live with 15-20 GB of data per month.

What are his options pls?

cheers,
JJB

  • The new digs is in Aspendale , vic 3195.
  • He's on month 26 of a 24 months contract with TPG.
Internet

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 22/05/2015 - 23:40
    +3

    3 options

    1) Get a new copper connection laid by Telstra to that flat, once it's there it will then have a phone line connection, and you'll be able to have ADSL just like any other ordinary premise. This will be the most expensive method.

    2) Pick up Wifi from the main residence. The owners, or current tenants of the residence, will share the same internet account with the granny flat user. The downside is physical obstructions which may degrade signal quality and the fact that the account and bandwidth is shared, obviously having more users on the same line means the download speeds + download quota is shared and limits will be reached quickly. Ethernet, either underground or aerial is also possible however you'll need a sparky to do the wiring (some sort of ACMA regulation forbids self installation).

    3) Sign up for a 4G LTE mobile network plan and hook the computer up to a 4G router modem.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/05/2015 - 23:48

      Thanks Scrimshaw.

      We've looked into option 1 and it will cost $299. So not an option considering that he has a short term lease. He tried option 2 and it didn't work. So that leaves option 3. He's currently with Optus on the woolies plan , so 5gb data for 45 days, which wouldn't be enough.

      Any good 4G LTE mobile network plan that wouldn't cost the earth?

      edit:

      hook the computer up to a 4G router modem.

      Couldn't he use his mobile as wifi hotspot? He only needs it to be able to access on his laptop, phone and tablet and never at the same time.

      • scrimshaw on 22/05/2015 - 23:51
        +1

        He can use whatever device he wants to get on 4G LTE airwaves… my suggestion is based on the assumption he has more than just a PC, maybe a game console or a tablet that also needs internet access.

        Wifi hotspot tethering is fine though, for short periods of time or for as long as your phone battery can hold out.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2015 - 09:31

          Is cable an option?

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2015 - 11:31

      He's on the optus/woolies grandfathered prepaid $29 plan that comes with 5 GB. Its only 3g though.

      He's going to be bored out of his mind with no cable tv and only 5gb data.

  • Hotpotcorn on 23/05/2015 - 00:10
    -1

    nbn

  • wukachuka on 23/05/2015 - 05:46

    Without option 1 or 2, option 3 will end up costing as much as option 1 inside a few months if he wants 15-20GB
    I would get the copper in and stay on his current provider if i were him and we are talking 6 months lease. (the actual length of time will be the deciding factor here though)

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2015 - 09:31

      Its a periodic rental ( month-to-month) . Owner is a family friend.

  • scotty on 23/05/2015 - 09:55
    +1

    If the granny flat is on the same circuit might try Ethernet over power to hook on the broadband connection of the main house?

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2015 - 10:06

      I've just had a chat with Optus and they've advised that cable is available in the area. They've suggested this plan. Is there any way that the main house can also have access to that internet connection and therefore be able to split the costs? He's a uni student and has a limited budget.

      thanks

      Edit: Is that even legal?

      • scotty on 23/05/2015 - 10:28

        If Optus cable is available they should get this one instead — why pay $65 for 30GB when you can get unlimited + lots more for $90?

        Is the granny flat the same address as the main house or on a splitted land with its own address? If at the same address I think it's reasonable to get one unlimited plan for the house + granny flat & split cost. However the main issue is still how to get the Internet connection to the granny.

        I had an old detached garage converted into a granny flat at my place, and at renovation put underground CAT6 through (together with electricity). Cabling the place up for a temp stay of a few months might be too much work. However it might be the owner's interest to figure out how to connect the granny to Internet, if they are thinking of renting out the granny to students long term.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2015 - 10:37

          Its at the same address but detached from the main residence. Does CAT6 have to be underground?

          However it might be the owner's interest to figure out how to connect the granny to Internet, if they are thinking of renting out the granny to students long term.

          They are actually planning on selling the place in 6-8 months. So no interest in dugging trenches and stuff :(

        • scotty on 23/05/2015 - 10:43
          +1

          @wicket1120: You can get outdoor CAT6 but I think if it's only for 6-8 months they might not want to bother with cabling. There's probably no point getting cable on 24 months contract either.

          Ethernet over power using existing broadband plan might still be the easiest, assuming granny is sharing the same electric circuit. You can get a AV200 pair for ~$40 that can probably do ~10-20Mbps.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2015 - 10:56

          @scotty: Thanks :)

  • dasher86 on 23/05/2015 - 11:10
    +1

    Try belong. I think they might pay for the $299 copper wire and no contract fees? I remember reading it somewhere a while back but I could be wrong

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2015 - 11:19

      Please note if you need a new phone line installed, there may be extra costs in addition to an activation fee if trenching is required at your home. Please refer to the Belong ADSL webpage for current pricing and fees.

      A Telstra technician will assess what work needs to be done and you will be given the choice of having the trenching completed through Telstra or you can arrange to have it done by a third party.

      There's a call-out fee for the Telstra Tech. Not really worth it if its only for a month-to-month lease.

      Thanks:)

  • argonbay on 25/05/2015 - 01:05
    +1

    Note: Getting a new copper line installed is not a guarantee that ADSL2+ will be available and you may be limited to something like TPG's ADSL broadband off-net offerings. Speeds range from 512K to 8MBps, costs range from $40 to $60 and quota 50GB to 200GB. This can happen if copper line is shared via RIM/Pair Gain.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join