I have Optus HFC NBN, and about every week or two (twice this week already), it goes down for at least a couple of hours (2.5 days once!)
I want to implement some kind of backup internet, and 4G is the only real option.
I can't use my phone because I'm not always there when the internet goes down.
What I'm ideally looking for is a prepaid data-only SIM card with long expiry, or with the ability to buy data blocks as and when I need them. Does anyone have any ideas?
I have friends in the area also on HFC NBN, and when my connection goes down, so does theirs, even though some of them are not with the same RSP. Generally, when it happens, we SMS each other asking the others if their internet is also down.
The cable modem lights show that we have solid connections, but no data flows. However, Foxtel does not go down at the same time, even though it's on the same cable. The fault is not at my end.
When we report the problem, we are always fobbed off with "we (or NBN) are upgrading the infrastructure" or "work is being done in the area".
I was on Optus HFC cable internet before, and basically never had any problems.
Vodafone frequently offers 6 month expiry data SIMs with a fair bit of data for very cheap (about $25)
I wasn't able to find anything on the vodafone web site similar to what you've described.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/332725 Is an example of it. It seems to be offered quite regularly.
You could use a Belong postpaid sim, $25 for 5GB, and you can buy more for $10/2GB. If the data runs out it gets shaped to 64kbps so you'll never be without internet (just no Netflix if you run out of data). And your data rolls over so never wasted.
There's also a deal on now with Kogan 16GB FOR FREE. However I imagine the network is going to get really congested pretty soon as loads of people take up this offer :-p
Thanks, Quantumcat, but postpaid is not suitable.
Is there a reason? Belong has no contract, so you can quit anytime
$25 per month every month is the reason! I was hoping for something cheaper than that, like the Vodafone SIM that kipps mentioned above, which I'll look at when I can pry myself away from OZB :-)
@pjetson: Fair enough. Also, how much data do you project spending each month? That will change the answers significantly
@Quantumcat: There's no way to predict how much data I'd need, since there is no way to predict when and for how long the outages will happen. My ideal solution would be to buy blocks of 4G data as and when needed, but I'm not sure that's possible.
can't use phone cos you're not always there when the internet fails……
then why do you need the internet, if you're not there……?
i'm missing something i'm sure
Other people may be there.
then why do you need the internet, if you're not there……?
Torrents queued to auto download.
might not wanna torrent on 4g! :P
Have you looked at switching to fixed wireless?
I had a similar experience on copper ADSL2+ except it was 40 minute dropouts every second day which is unworkable for running an online business. If you're in SA take a look at Uniti Wireless or Nuskope both of which are fixed wireless providers. I'd previously thought that there were was no way that a wireless service could be more reliable than wired, but in the year I've been with them I've had a single 3-minute dropout all while rocking 80mbps down/20mbps up/6ms ping in an area where NBN isn't scheduled to arrive until Dec 2018. Given my current speeds are quicker than the scheduled FTTN I doubt I'll switch when NBN does roll out. Really couldn't be happier.
Might be something similar in the other states, but I haven't looked into it.
ADSL2+ except it was 40 minute dropouts every second day which is unworkable for running an online business.
Was this on a business plan with a sla?
When it is working, I am perfectly happy with my NBN HFC connection - a solid 50/20 all the time. And, most of the time, it is working. Except for the two and a half day outage a couple of months ago, I have generally been able to work around the short-term outages, which are usually in the nature of 4-8 hours of sometimes on sometimes off.
I am looking for a "couple of times a month backup connection", not a replacement.
Vivid Wireless (Optus) 2300Mhz 4G broadband is available here, with 10Mbs unlimited for about $90 per month. Optus also sell this under their own name. The modem is $200 (or is it $300, I can't remember), and they have no short term plans, so it's not really suitable.
If you don't mind putting time into it, stock up on the cheap Kogan sims as they become available and activate them each month. I was able to use a Kogan sim in my Optus 3G dongle (even though a Telstra one wouldn't work for some reason). It would cost you very little in terms of $ but might cost you an hour or two each month between finding the deals and doing the activations. I'm not sure if Kogan are cool with using prepaid sims as replacement sims and rolling over data but if that's the case you could get a nice stockpile of data going if you were diligent about having a sim at the right time
Telstra has modems with inbuilt 4G sim cards in them, does Optus have something similar?
Yeah I used to buy Optus 3G dongles with $30 credit when they were half price or better. That sort of thing might have stopped now (either the 3G dongles ran out or they don't think they're worth trying to sell now that 4G is normal)
The modem isn't really the problem - I have a router that accepts 3G/4G USB modems/dongles that I can press into service. The issue is finding a cost-effective SIM card for my usage patterns.
Is $130 for 25GB and 1 year expiry suitable?
http://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/prepaid-mobile-broadb…
Hi John. I think Aldi has the best deal: Aldi $95/20GB/365 days ($4.75 per GB)
The Optus deal is $5.20 per GB but good option anyway
Kogan has cheap sims with plenty of data.. $4.95 for 16gig ??
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-mobile-prepaid-voucher-co…
I assume you have complained to your service provider about the consistent fault? If they have not done something to permanently correct the matter than lodge a complaint to the TIO.
Optus maintain that it is not a fault - they say that the outages are NBN system upgrades and/or work on the network by NBN.
The cause of the two and a half day outage was never satisfactorily explained, just that it was also an NBN issue, not an Optus issue.
As I said, I am generally happy with my NBN HFC connection. NBN HFC is now the "only game in town", so my only option would be to change RSP's, and I know for certain that other RSP's suffer the same problem at the same time, which reinforces the view that it is an NBN problem, not an RSP problem.
It is not possible to lodge a complaint about NBNCO with the TIO - the TIO has no jurisdiction over them.
I understand but your contract is with your provider not the NBN. Any problems the provider has in providing that service is their problem, not yours. Have they offered any compensation?
Regardless… it sounds like a good cheap backup sim is worth having. :-) I have used the Kogan (voda)
one above and found it to be good but like all mobile data, it depends on your location.
Cheers.
The "most for least" SIM card I've been able to come up with so far is the ALDI $95 Data Pack which provides 20GB of data to use over 365 days.
Last year I bought an Optus prepaid data SIM with 13GB with 1 year expiry.
Same usage as you.
Only for backup if my internet goes down.
I think it was about $50.
Thanks, 12Sydney34 - I think I'll wait a few weeks and see if any similar bargains come up.
Dont hold your breath.
This cant be correct.
Current Optus offer is $80/14GB/186 days or $130/25GB/365 days
The Aldi $95/20GB/365 days deal is by far the best ($4.75 per GB)
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/273438
2016 deal that I did
$30 - 8GB - 1 month expiry
$50 - 14GB - 1 year expiry
$130 - 44GB - 2 year expiry
Who knows if Optus will do the deal this year…
FYI - I just got an email that Optus have increased their $130, 365 days data from 25gig to 40gig.
What are your signal levels for your HFC? It sounds like that needs to be addressed. My Telstra HFC needs frequent servicing (once every say 9-12 months) as the tap in the street corrodes. Until it gets fixed the problem will persist, and probably will get worse.
Otherwise, if you really want 4G backup, Vodafone frequently offers 6 month expiry data SIMs with a fair bit of data for very cheap (about $25). I would use those.