New ISP - Opticomm

Kiz on 16/04/2020 - 12:48

Hi All,
I moved into my house ~3 years ago and never got the Internet connected. I have just been using my phone and it's been more than enough.

With having to work from home more frequently now, I'm looking at getting the Internet and need some advice. I'd also like to use things like Netflix, youTube, acquiring movies legally ;) etc (I have a Vodafone TV which I largely just use to play downloaded movies atm). It's just me any my wife at home with our one year old boy.

We have an Opticomm box in our garage along with something called 'APC powershield' and another device with 'H640GR' on it. It looks like it's got an optical cable going into it.

I have a couple of questions,

  1. What ISP would you recommend (In VIC)
  2. Do I need additional hardware?
  3. The H640GR device also has an RF out, does that mean that if I can get the Internet, it would also deliver TV?
  4. Anything else that I might need to know?

Apologies for the dumb questions, it's just the first time I've had to organise this myself!

Internet

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Comments

  • Joshminey on 16/04/2020 - 13:00

    I've heard good things about Exetel so maybe give them a try.

  • ballofspam on 16/04/2020 - 13:04
    1. From my experience, Internode > DCSI >Exetel. I would say DCSI because its better value and performance
    2. You need a router
    3. Yes, my opticom also does tv
    4. not really :)
    • Kiz on 16/04/2020 - 15:58
      1. I think DCSI is looking pretty good for me at the moment.
      2. In regards to the router, what would you recomend? I imagine the one that they provide (for a cost) probably isn't the best option?
      3. Do you have to pay for a service for the TV? Or is it just when you get the Internet connected, it comes through that?

      Thanks heaps :)

      • ballofspam on 16/04/2020 - 16:23

        It's free to Air TV, you don't need the internet to watch TV. Just plug it in now and you should be good

      • stewy on 17/04/2020 - 01:14

        I think it can depend on what estate you are in, but typically they will deliver free-to-air TV and Foxtel over Opticomm. Earlier installs had the coax connection on the ONT, newer installs have a separate media converter before the ONT.

        Can confirm it definitely works for FTA TV without needing an internet plan connected.

        For Foxtel you will obviously need a Foxtel subscription and hardware.

        Easiest option for your router will be to just get whatever the RSP you choose is offering, that way they will fully support it.

        Otherwise most modern routers should be fine, although say RSPs could possibly require VLAN ID tagging and not all routers have that.

        Personally I am using a Netgear Nighthawk 7000 (I wouldn't recommend this router as earlier firmware versions were very buggy) and a UniFi wireless access point to get better WiFi strength throughout the house.

  • Gnostikos on 16/04/2020 - 14:01

    We have an Opticomm box in our garage

    You most likely have FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises).

    Opticomm are exclusively a fibre services provider that were heavily involved in the initial FTTP roll-out of the NBN.

    In which case, your choice of ISP will matter little as you'll be achieving the maximum possible downstream/upstream speeds your ISP's plan supports (or very close to it). It's likely your line would support in excess of 100Mbp/s download speeds, and some ISPs do offer 250Mbp/s plans.

    Go for whoever is the cheapest for the speed tier you require and know that not all ISPs will service your area, though personally I would recommend Aussie Broadband if they're available in your area (you can easily add streaming services & pay TV to your plan as well).

    along with something called 'APC powershield'

    A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) that the fibre modem is connected to.

    another device with 'H640GR' on it.

    That would be the fibre modem that Opticomm installed.

    • Kiz on 16/04/2020 - 15:54

      Thanks for the info :) Unfortunately Aussie Broadband isn't available to me so will need to look at other options

    • stewy on 17/04/2020 - 01:26
      +2

      I can't comment on Opticomm's past involvement with the construction of the NBN but now they operate their own network that is completely different to the NBN and is in direct competition to the NBN. So it's really important not to confuse Opticomm and NBN as being in ant way related.

      They get cosy with the developer by likely offering subsidised install costs and you end up with Opticomm and no NBN servicing your premises. I've found plans on Opticomm RSPs tend to be slightly dearer than NBN RSPs and there is a much much lower number of RSPs that sell Opticomm plans.

      Opticomm have in the past seemed to have a habit of overselling their network (both backhaul bandwidth and core network routers) as opposed to actively scaling their network before demand reaches capacity. Although things have been alright lately for me.

      Choice of RSP is still important as every RSP has different CVC connectivity levels to the Opticomm network plus also differing levels of national and international IP transit.

  • beaniecrazed2 on 16/04/2020 - 14:53

    We are with Harbour ISP which is opticomm service. Reliable. Price is good. We are using an existing modem.
    Your free to air tv should be through opticomm as well as your phone service.

  • Caped Baldy on 16/04/2020 - 15:15

    I signed up to belong (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/485365) on the 30/20 unlimited 12 month plan for $55/month. This includes modem/router. Month to month is an additional $5.

    This is the cheapest non slower than adsl2+ NBN plan that I could find.

    • Kiz on 16/04/2020 - 16:08

      Unfortunately, I'm not eligiable to join Belong

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 16/04/2020 - 17:46
    +2

    Leaptel are awesome.

    • stewy on 17/04/2020 - 01:16

      Yep I have used Leaptel for a NSW Opticomm, QLD NBN and QLD Opticomm connections. Some of their plans are a little bit dearer, but customer service and speed has always been too notch.

      i believe they also service Victoria.

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 17/04/2020 - 01:36
        +1

        Yep. I'm in Vic and switched from dcsi and iinet to Leaptel on Opticomm. It hasn't skipped a beat.

  • Kevoskii on 01/07/2020 - 21:21

    I've got the exact same setup as yours, but having a hard time actually tracking down a company that actually services my address.

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