Viable ADSL Alternative For Somewhat Rural Town?

N1NJ4W4RR10R on 28/06/2019 - 20:44

Long story short Telstra - after screwing up, sending out 2 sets of routers and just generally wasting our time, has informed us there are no ports for ADSL in our town… because apparently that wasn't the first thing they checked when selling us ADSL…

Anyways, to save myself ranting more (because I'm pretty angry), I've decided to constructively post here asking what viable alternatives may be available! Probably better to pretend that Telstra hasn't (for the second time in a year!) screwed us out of internet and there's just a non mobile data alternative left…but why not make myself angrier?!

ADSL/NBN are obviously out of the question. Mobile broadband may be a possibility, but where I live the only mobile network available is Telstras, so optus would be out of the question. The only mobile broadband I've seen in my (admittedly quick) search was Telstras own…but I'm not totally sure I could trust them to not throttle when I'm, you know, using the thing for anything remotely speedy. I'm not fussed about speed, but I need something better then the whopping 180 KB/s I've been getting through my mobile hotspot (using their mobile plan version of this). Games need something to work with, and I'd like to watch videos with any level of clarity (read, 720p) again.
That said, maybe that's just my phone hotspot and a router would provide better speeds on this network? Or does the "wireless broadband" just generally operate differently?
Plus, I don't reckon it'd hold 3 people remotely well.

I also don't fancy the idea of a hardcap on data. I use a fair chunk, my Mum/Sister would use more. Throw on how crazy games have gotten in size and anything south of 500gbs would be a bad time.

I should also mention I'm about 8ks away from the 1 tower running 4g in the area. As well as some cement walls of the house I'm in. Reception in the loungeroom and a decent router might be able to (mostly) negate the walls though?

I dunno… really doesn't seem like I've missed anything and that Telstra have once again screwed us over. But I'd greatly appreciate options.

*Sorry for the title. Claimed it was to short originally, that was the best I could think of as an extention.

Internet ADSL Broadband

Comments

  • pjetson on 28/06/2019 - 21:12
    +1

    I'm about 8ks away from the 1 tower running 4g in the area

    Can you actually see the tower from anywhere at your house? If so, an external antenna might help you get better speeds than the 180KB/S you're getting now.

    Do you have any neighours? What are they doing for their internet?

    ADSL/NBN are obviously out of the question

    Have you asked other suppliers? It's a longshot, but perhaps someone else has ADSL equipment in your exchange?

    Also, is satellite NBN available?

    • ESEMCE on 28/06/2019 - 21:31

      Assume Fixed Wireless NBN is not an option, but Satellite NBN ought to be available if not.

      Otherwise, 4G mobile would do the trick quite happily with a high gain external antenna. You'll easily get ADSL type speeds, likely better.
      Optus 500Gb Wireless Broadband $85/month.

    • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 28/06/2019 - 21:32

      Can you actually see the tower from anywhere at your house? If so, an external antenna might help you get better speeds than the 180KB/S you're getting now.

      Do you have any neighours? What are they doing for their internet?

      Nah, though there shouldn't be anything significant in the way.
      I should clarify the speed I listed was via the hotspot on my phone. Actual mobile speeds are at about 1 - 2 download when the 4g reception is decent.

      No neighbours - buildings either side aren't houses. A church on one side, can't remember what the other is (we live out the back of a PO)

      Have you asked other suppliers? It's a longshot, but perhaps someone else has ADSL equipment in your exchange?

      Also, is satellite NBN available?

      Might be worth a shot. Is there a way I can check without just gambling and hoping they actually check?

      On the Sat. I believe it is, just that the offerings seem fairly limited quantity wise. I'm fine with low speeds, but high quantity (ideally uncapped) is what I'm primarily after. With 3 people all using a decent bit, there's just not much point switching from mobile if I can't actually do the things I want to do without being whacked with a cap.

      Should note that we're renting, so that'd also likely be a problem with sat.

      • trongy on 29/06/2019 - 09:34

        If you talk to people in your town you might get advice that is specific to your local area. Of course, it everyone is on Telstra ADSL, that's not much help.

        What do the NBN coverage checker say about your place? If NBN is going to be available in the next six months it would explain why Telstra isn't bothering to make more ADSL ports available.

        If 4G is your only option, consider getting a data only SIM plan and a 4G router like this or this instead of using your phone as a hot spot. If you get a router with a better antenna and/or move it to a part of the house with better reception. If you have money to burn, you could get a professional grade 4G router with an external directional antenna.

        • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 29/06/2019 - 12:03

          Yeah, looking like that'll be my option. Is there anything other then Telstras own offering on their network that's any decent?

        • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 02/07/2019 - 21:26

          Have looked around a bit and it seems Telstras own broadband plans would be the option (unfortunately).

          In saying that, would the modem from the below link + their $50 mobile broadband plan (50gbs unthrottled, then uncapped data at 1.5mbs) be ideal? Or would there be a better router at roughly the $100 price point (that can run on the 700mhz/Telstra 4g band)?

          https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/tel…

          • ESEMCE on 03/07/2019 - 08:06
            +1

            @N1NJ4W4RR10R: My only concern with that modem is that it doesn't appear to have any external antenna support.
            You may need that to hit the 1.5mbps speed let alone get more than that.

            It's routing capabilities aren't going to be amazing either.

            I wonder if a secondhand Telstra Smartmodem might do the trick in fallback mode? (no idea if that will work or not)
            Otherwise one of the Huawei Plug in Modems that Optus sell as part of their broadband packages might be suitable.. You're likely looking for Band 28 4G support which all of them have. They're numerous on Gumtree for less than $100.
            Ideally a M1 Nighthawk, but you're likely looking at more than $100 for one unless myou score an absolute bargain!

  • sparkles on 28/06/2019 - 22:21
    +2

    May I suggest you move house?

    • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 28/06/2019 - 22:37

      No-where left to move around here unfortunately.

  • hashtagbargain on 28/06/2019 - 23:36
    +1

    Ok here’s a thought, apologies in advance if it doesn’t suit your taste.

    1. Get a Telstra internet connection with a gen 2 smart modem at any other location. Business/family etc.
    2. Unplug the router and take it home. The hub comes with a fall back into 4g, conditions here https://www.telstra.com.au/internet/extras/modem
    3. Enjoy home internet from Telstra 4g
    • 87percent on 29/06/2019 - 11:42

      4G backup is monitored for incorrect usage, it should only be used when you're waiting for your service to be connected or during an outage.

  • elgrande on 29/06/2019 - 08:15

    What about boost mobile? Uses the teltra network.

  • rbrb on 30/06/2019 - 06:10

    ALDI mobile also uses Telstra. Worth looking them up. You can always pop their SIM in a hotspot and use it.

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