NBN Vs Wireless Broadband - Help Me Decide

LdealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 09:16

I currently have NBN FTTP in South Brisbane with AussieBB (100down/40up) and am getting download speeds between 35down and 55down.

I’ve called AussieBB support re: slowness and we’ve tinkered with some settings and whilst we were able to see a slight increase, it’s still not close to the advertised 86Mbps evening speeds.

They suggested a new router might help as the router that they provided me when I signed up in Feb last year is now 2 years old and only capable of 2.4ghz - this frustrates me as it’s the one I bought from them. They have offered to loan me one to see if it will help bump up the speeds. If not, they’re suggesting I downgrade to the 50down/20up plan. Whilst I appreciate them doing good business and making that suggestion and doing right by me, it’s not the solution that I’m after. We currently pay $88 per month and only use 100-200gb per month.

I’ve been looking at the Optus 4G Plus wifi 500gb for $85 per month plan (500gb rather than 200gb as were likely to use more than current if it’s not so slow) but keen for thoughts and opinions from others please. AussieBB support is awesome and happy to pay a premium for a premium service but I don’t really feel I’m getting what I pay for currently.

Optus 4G details: https://offer.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/mobile-broadband/h…

Thanks in advance for suggestions and any help you might be able to offer…!

Internet Broadband nbn Wireless Broadband

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Comments

  • nomster on 13/08/2019 - 09:19

    I've been mulling the same idea.

    Especially when Optus put out the 5G unlimited for $60 promotion out a few months ago.

    • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 09:25

      I get >300Mbps down on 4G in my apartment - I have line of sight to a tower literally 100m away and my area is also 5G already…

      • nomster on 13/08/2019 - 09:39
        +1

        NBN isnt scheduled in my area til April 2020.

        No point joining NBN at this stage for me. Especially if a 100mbit plan is more expensive than a faster alternative.

  • sharka on 13/08/2019 - 09:22
    +1

    I'm Sydney based but i ditched my fixed line internet service a few months ago.
    Using a netgear lb2120 modem with an optus sim and a mimo antenna (for better coverage)

    On 4 bars i get much better speeds than what i was previously.
    200GB plan suits us for home use.

  • ShortyX on 13/08/2019 - 09:24

    What speeds do you get when you plug a laptop directly into the NBN connection box?

    • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 09:29

      My work laptop has blocked all Speedtest sites unfortunately so I can only test from my iPad or iPhone. I can probably find a way around it though, why do you ask ?

      • sharka on 13/08/2019 - 09:30
        +1

        try speedof.me

        • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 09:38

          No dice, but found the adapter for my old macbook and used that instead.

          91.06Mbps down 34.29Mbps up.

          Wow.. so those results would suggest it is in fact the router (NetComm NF10WV) that is the bottleneck?

          Do we think a new router would help improve the speeds? Appreciate i'm not going to get wired speeds via wireless but surely it will help improve..?

          • ESEMCE on 13/08/2019 - 10:04
            +1

            @dealsNdogs: Yes…
            But first check your WiFi channel..

            Download a WiFi Analyzer app to your Phone/Tablet
            Note what channel your WiFi is broadcasting versus your neighbors.
            Change the WiFi Channel in your modem to one that is not being used by your neighbors.
            (Ideally use one of Channels 1,6,11).

            • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 10:20

              @ESEMCE: OK Thanks. Any suggestions for Apps ? Installed 'Network Analyzer' but didn't have any channel information etc.

              • ESEMCE on 13/08/2019 - 10:36
                +1

                @dealsNdogs: I don't have any iOS devices, but on Android there are a bunch of apps called WiFi Analyzer or some derivative of (note use the US spelling for more hits)

          • ShortyX on 13/08/2019 - 10:29

            @dealsNdogs: Was that speed test from connecting to the NBN box or to the router?

            • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 11:34

              @ShortyX: From the router… I didn't know that I can plug straight into the NBN box…

          • sharka on 15/08/2019 - 10:14
            +1

            @dealsNdogs: Definitely!

      • ShortyX on 13/08/2019 - 09:33
        +1

        It’s best to conduct speed tests using a wired connection and connecting directly to the NBN connection box will take the router out of the equation.

      • dcep on 13/08/2019 - 09:35
        +2

        cable speed = true line speed

        wifi speed = could get affected by anything

  • c64 on 13/08/2019 - 09:40
    +1

    one thing to note is that wireless plans usually include uploads as well as downloads in their quota. if you don't have any extraordinary upstream traffic (backups or p2p etc) then this should be a problem

    • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 09:48

      thanks! no major uploads (8gb for last month) so no concern here…

  • kuikui on 13/08/2019 - 09:41
    +1

    Go with wireless broadband if your area covered with 5G. You will get 100M download speed at all times. Each of mobile base station has 10G link to network but NBN to service provider may have 1G maximum per POI.

  • geek001 on 13/08/2019 - 09:46
    +1

    I have been mulling the same idea. Spare a thought for those of us on FTTN connections. I am on 23/5mbps connection. I am with Optus on my phone, I get about 150mbps down. So going wireless broadband makes sense. However, I do find that there is some noticeable latency when I am using my phone as a hotspot. Things just feel a bit sluggish when loading, but really fast once the connection is made. That being said, I will probably sign up for an Optus wireless broadband plan eventually, just waiting for a sale offer or something. Also FYI, Optus will charge you $10 for 10GB if you go over your data allocation.

    • kuikui on 13/08/2019 - 09:52

      I am also waiting for better deal from Optus

    • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 10:05

      Mmm yes, I'm thankful that I have the connection that I have - sadly it's also a downgrade from the ADSL2+ telstra connection I had in my previous residence. I empathize with you though! Agreed on the latency comment. 90% of our usage of internet at home is for Netflix / Stan (through an Apple TV) so I would think that it's not so much of an issue there. Optus seems to be about the only decent offering for Mobile Broadband.. I'm with Telstra for my personal and work mobiles and their offering is so noncompetitive it's a joke.

    • geek001 on 13/08/2019 - 10:30
      +1

      Just another comment on Optus, I have been experimenting with going Optus when I am at home for the past half year or so, using my phone as a hotspot for streaming in the evening as I am on their 80GB/month plan and work pays for it. Optus tower outage seems to be semi-frequent, once every few months where I live, and the outage can last for a few days. Normally it is not a problem as my phone picks up a tower further away, but the speed drop can be significant when that happens if you rely only on Optus for internet. Right now I can always switch back to using wifi when it happens.

      • dealsNdogs on 13/08/2019 - 11:32

        Thanks - good to know.

  • adrdidi on 14/08/2019 - 09:49
    +1

    I also have Aussie Broadband but FTTN on the 100/40. I'm getting around 90Down and 36Up. I'm moving house and the new house doesn't have NBN available yet. I'm getting the 200GB plan from optus for $65 a month, but as soon the NBN becomes available I'm switching back to Aussie BB. My suggestion is stay with Aussie Broadband and change your plan selecting "Build your own", Pick the NBN 50 and slide de bar to select the 200GB plan for $68 a month. Been an Aussie BB customer you know that they offer one of the best services and support available. How many times did you have problems with Aussie BB loosing your connection?
    If you change to 4G you might have to buy a 4G compatible modem or stick into a long contract to get the modem for free. What if the connection is slower/congested than what you have now or if it has constant dropouts?

    • dealsNdogs on 14/08/2019 - 13:17

      Yeah valid points, will try and tinker with the router first before making the jump to another provider.

      Interestingly, I also tried watching netflix through my PS4 rather than Apple TV and seems like it increased the quality / reduced the drop outs so whilst my struggles may appear to be 'internet related' it's likely a combination of things..

      • ESEMCE on 14/08/2019 - 13:42
        +1

        100%
        You'll need to invest in a 4G Modem/router minimum, possibly an External Antenna to get a service level that approaches what your FttP is capable of providing, all with no guarantees that it'll be any better!
        Better off spending the same (or less) money on a better router (you don't need a modem on FttP). If you don't use VoIP landline telephone, you can buy any router you want.
        Personal recommendation is the ASUS AC-68U, can be had for around $150 on sale. It's been superseded by the AC86U, but I don't believe the improvements justify the price premium.
        If that's too expensive, look around for a Telstra NBN modem Router, they're giving them out for free to existing Telstra customers, so there's heaps for sale cheap (less than $50) on Gumtree. They're quality units too!

  • marmozet on 15/08/2019 - 07:21
    +1

    I've got a laptop that can only go 2.4 ghz and it gets slower speeds for sure than my 5ghz laptop. The router upgrade is worth it. If you have a network cable try that and you'll get the real speeds from Aussie.
    Either way I hope you work it out.

  • dealsNdogs on 20/08/2019 - 15:14
    +2

    Update: I bit the bullet and purchased a new router. I'm glad I did.

    I bought a d-link dir882 which was $198 at Harvey Norman (i had a $140 voucher from the CNY 10% voucher promo in feb/18) so only cost me $58 cash.

    Over Wifi I am now getting 93mbps down and 37mbps up :)

    thanks for everyones help and advice - I appreciate it!

    • sharka on 29/08/2019 - 10:10

      Yes i did :)

      • UNO on 29/08/2019 - 10:10

        3 months free on the 500gb plan

  • c64 on 29/08/2019 - 14:32

    24 months is a long time to be locked in to a contract …

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