Please Help Me Choose an ISP and Plan

• 

  Savas on 05/07/2017 - 15:54

  +3

  I think you can rule out Bendigo Bank

• 

  FreshPrinceofKP on 05/07/2017 - 16:55

  Was looking at this for myself last week, On the iinet unlimited ADSL2+ for $69.99 per month and didn't use 200GB a month. Went with iinet 250GB per month for $59.99, so I do save $10 and can still do what I like. I would have gone Optus $60 unlimited but like you said the $200 upfront is bad as is the 24 month contract (for me).

  • 

    starbearer on 05/07/2017 - 17:03

    +1

    200GB is too less for me. That's why I've not even included the iiNet plan. 500 GB is just right.

• 

  Holysmoke on 05/07/2017 - 23:21

  Spintel also has a $25 sign-up credit through referral: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/deals/spintel.net.au

• 

  SydBoy on 16/07/2017 - 19:23

  Try buzztelco….plan starts with $40 per month for unlimited….with voip enabled free modem if you signup for 12 month plan….i was with aussie broadband and they charge you premium rates but gives you sh**t speed.

  • 

    starbearer on 17/07/2017 - 14:04

    Thanks for the suggestion, but its not available in my original list as an option I can install.

• 

  starbearer on 17/07/2017 - 14:13

  Update (if anyone's interested): Tried to go with Belong. Tech can come 5 days later to install the line and set it up. Receive a call, 2 days after putting the order in saying that ADSL2 is not available only ADSL1 is: lower speeds, no increase in data cap, same price. I say, just install something to get me connected ASAP. 5th day arrives, Original appointment can't be kept as tech is busy at another site. Next week also "can be tried, but can't confirm". I threaten to cancel order. Immediate response, ok and hang up phone. Receive email from Paypal saying refund received from Belong.

  Spintel next. Says they can do an install today. More than half the day over. Still waiting.

  Running out of KOGAN and half price Amaysims to stay connected. GoT also started :(.

• 

  Irate Monk on 20/07/2017 - 20:33

  +1

  Most ADSL2+ connection speeds will come as a rude surprise.

  Long story short: Having moved into a place, I contacted all major providers from Telstra, Optus and down for an ADSL connection and got turned down by all (feasibility, lack of ports etc., were the cited reasons). Surprisingly, TPG stepped up, and provided me a connection, on contract. Pretty soon, I realised I was getting 0.5 Mbps downloads speeds, and constant disconnections. Then I knew why the others had declined. They didn't want to offer substandard service. However, the TPG scum did't have such concerns and happily took my money for over two years.

  https://www.adsl2exchanges.com.au/

  To answer your query, check on the above link to find out how reliable a connection you can expect over ADSL.
  It shows your nearest exchange (all ADSL providers connect using the same infrastructure,so nobody can guarantee any magic). It also shows the real-life speeds you can expect. If it does not suggest speeds upwards of 12 Mbps, don't even bother with ADSL.

  The story now: I moved from the absolutely pathetic TPG ADSL to Uniti https://unitiwireless.com . This technology uses a roof-mount antenna (like the ubiquitous TV dishes, but smaller) and establish line-of-sight with their nearest transmitter to give minimum 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds. 500 GB per month at $60. If you use that up, then speeds will be shaped to 1 Mbps till the next cycle. And…. if you spend another $10 per month, you can add-on something called "raptor" which takes your speed to 50 Mbps. I see this for real; yes indeed. I'm thus now in internet bliss. From what I heard, read and now believe, even when NBN goes full fledged, this technology may continue to outperform it in terms of reliability, speed and cost.

  There is another company - NuSkope which offers the same tech; have heard good reviews of them too. There may be others I have not come to know of.

  The above Uniti plan came on a 24 month contract, and they have month-to-month arrangements too (maybe costlier?). Installation of the antenna will get you billed with $99. And, you get a lousy TP-Link N router free.

  I love my current setup. Never thought I would get used to having 4K video streaming for real, considering how Oz lags behind the others in the developed world in average internet speeds.

  And, last but not the least, chuck the lousy free routers, get a future proofed one with beamfoaming, MU-MIMO, dual 5 GHz bands etc. I use a Netgear Nighthawk R 7000 from circa 2014, and still stays impressed with it's capabilities. Even though one needn't go the extreme of getting a 802.11ad model, if you can get the current Lexus of wireless routers - the ASUS RT-AC88U, you can say you have arrived!

  Thanks for listening to my two cents.

  • 

    starbearer on 20/07/2017 - 21:59

    Thanks for your detailed review! Which city are you based in?

    I will definitely keep the two providers you mentioned in mind. Currently waiting for TPG (I know!… but FTTB and not ADSL). If they don't work out, I'll be going for wireless.

• 

  PVA on 20/07/2017 - 20:36

  Does the building have Telstra HFC cable? That's an option if it does.

  • 

    starbearer on 20/07/2017 - 22:00

    It does but $90 per month, that too for 500GB. Plus I believe there is upfront as well.

    • 

      PVA on 21/07/2017 - 16:56

      A heap faster than adsl though.

      • 

        starbearer on 21/07/2017 - 17:30

        My budget is max $65 per month. I'm alright with the ADSL speeds tbh. In most cases I can get streaming to work decently as I don't really do much FHD.

• 

  starbearer on 20/07/2017 - 22:01

  Update 2:

  Apparently TPG FTTB is available. Tech visit scheduled for Monday. Fingers crossed.

  • 

    Irate Monk on 22/07/2017 - 23:07

    +1

    Just noticed a bargain mail Unity send me y'day.

    They're offering a no obligation 30 day trial
    https://unitiwireless.com/plans/

    And, now they are pegging themselves directly against NBN in their claims.

• 

  Irate Monk on 20/07/2017 - 23:14

  +1

  This is Adelaide

• 

  starbearer on 27/07/2017 - 00:14

  (Hopefully Final) Update: TPG tech came on the mentioned day. In fact called to check if he could come in earlier. (Duh!)

  Came with the required modems/cables. Checked the MDF in the basement. Made the necessary connections. bada-bing bada-boom 40 mins later internet connected via a VDSL modem which also does dual-band wifi.

  The speeds are much greater than the promised 50mbps, that too during peak hours of 6PM-11PM. Here are some test results. "Happy camper" would be an understatement after the previous two failed attempts with Belong and Spintel :)