It looks like our suburb is finally getting NBN. At the moment I'm with Telstra ADSL with a 4G failover. As I work from home extensively I'd like to continue to have 4G access.
I know Telstra offer this option, hard finding details of any other providers offering this.
Does anyone know of any other providers with 4G failover?
Vodafone!
Telstra
Vodafone
/thread
not so fast, Optus has it too.
and Tangerine i have since discovered
Vodafone. Their branded wifi router came with a built in SIM for backup. As I used my own Asus router I thought I could try using the SIM on my ipad but looks like it is locked to their modem. Plans are pretty much fixed but if you can bundle with a mobile you can get 10% off from both.
The sim cards are not set up as mobile sims so to speak (they actually have a weird mobile number)
and the way they are configured only the modem can access the network when needed.
originally the feature would be turned on by customer service if needed, but after a few months they changed it so that the service would switch on automatically if the main nbn service went down.
they are set up specifically so the sim can never be used on a third party device (ipad etc) as its essentially an open unmetered connection
Maybe it's time to invest some effort into trying to crack this!
issue is also the way its configured on the network.
When the NBN goes down, the modem "flicks a switch" so to speak which activates the sim.
The sim is technically disabled when the NBN is working, so if you take it out and put it in an iPad the sim would be inactive.
Was mentioned above but not the speeds:
Telstra - capped at 6/1
Vodafone - capped at 12/1
Optus - capped at 12/1
I believe Optus now have it too with their new modem.
https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/Guides/NBN-providers…
nbn Plans with 4G Failover
The 3 main telcos all offer 'free' failover, being Voda/Telstra/Optus. You have to use one of these 3 if you want FREE 4G.
Voda/Optus both have the same 4G backup speed of 12/1
Telstra 4G backup speed is 6/1
Otherwise lots of routers allow you to plug in a PAID 4G dongle and have backup that way, so can use any NBN provider you like, but you are paying your own 4G backup then.
tangerine also has 4G back up.
Optus modem is pricey though, $7 per month for 36 months
Vodafone give you the modem free (if you leave within the first 24 months its $7 x Months remaining)
Not sure how Telstra does their modem charges
Optus modem is pricey though, $7 per month for 36 months
Optus is the same as voda/telstra the modem is free as long as you stay connected for 24 or 36 months. If you leave early you pay a monthly charge for the modem for the remaining contract period. Optus says
For customers with a modem on a 36-month Device Payment Plan (see modem section below for more information), you will need to pay out any remaining cost of your modem if you cancel within 36 months. The modem cost is $252, charged at $7 per month over 36 months (‘unsubsidised price’) or $0 per month (‘subsidised price’) if you stay connected on an eligible Optus Broadband Plan for 36 months. The subsidised price will appear as a credit on your bill.
So Optus is free, but requires you stay with them for 3 years, while Voda/Optus are only 2 years.
tangerine also has 4G back up.
Yes it does and I didn't list it as its not FREE
To add 4G backup to a Tangerine plan, you'll need to splash out $199 on its 4G backup modem - the Netcomm NL19ACV - when you first sign-up. You'll also pay an additional $15 per month, which gets you 30GB of backup data capped to speeds of 12Mbps down and 12Mbps up.
So Optus/Telstra/Voda are better in the fact they are unlimited mobile data while your NBN is down.
Vodafone is the only other provider I'm aware of that offer this feature