Moving to nbn (Fixed Wireless)

RoosterBooster on 03/02/2021 - 09:42

I live at home with my parents and we aren’t the most knowledgeable with regards to internet/networking but we’ve had the same internet for many years. We’re looking to move to the NBN. There are so many options which makes things even more confusing. Our current internet (100GB) is with Telstra and includes phone line for $70/mth. We can’t pay much more than what we already are and don’t want to have to jump from provider to provider just for the new customer benefits.

Fixed Wireless is the technology in our area. It states that NBN Fixed Wireless doesn’t support the Fast 100Mbps tier. Does this mean if we went with a fast tier (up to 100mbps) it would be no benefit and we’d be wasting money? It seems Fixed Wireless is up to 50mbps. Is this going to be ok for streaming Kayo and Netflix? Apparently there is one provider (Activ8me) that provides fixed wireless above 50mbps and up to 75mbps. I haven’t heard of them and reviews don’t seem as good as some other providers. Has anyone had any experience with them or is on fixed wireless and can get good speeds? Appreciate any thoughts and provider recommendations.

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • alvian on 03/02/2021 - 09:49

    It states that NBN Fixed Wireless doesn’t support the Fast 100Mbps tier. Does this mean if we went with a fast tier (up to 100mbps) it would be no benefit and we’d be wasting money?

    It is a limitation of the currently deployed technology.

    Apparently there is one provider (Activ8me) that provides fixed wireless above 50mbps and up to 75mbps.

    All providers will have access to this speed tier. It is an nbn product, not a provider product. Whether they want to sell such a plan is a business decision.

    No provider will sell you a FW-100 plan as it does not exist.

    Search your address on https://www.nbnco.com.au/ and click "View providers in your area" for a start.

    • whitelie on 03/02/2021 - 19:30
      +1

      In Perth, Pentanet do up to 120Mbps and NodeOne do 200Mbps fixed wireless plans. Obviously depends on area (and you pay for the privilege) but they do exist.

      • alvian on 03/02/2021 - 19:31
        +1

        I believe they have their own independent FW networks and those are not nbn products. I acknowledge that my statement "no provider will sell you a FW-100 plan as it does not exist" is too general, but question's context is why nbn does not offer FW-100, and OP is in Nowra NSW.

        Thank you for drawing our attention to the existence of alternative high speed FW networks.

        • whitelie on 03/02/2021 - 19:37

          Ah I see. Thanks for the explanation.

  • Muzeeb on 03/02/2021 - 09:54
    +2

    Just go with a custom plan with Aussie Broadband. They have excellent CVC compared to lesser known providers.

    The call centre's are in regional areas and the call centre operators mostly have FW at their personal premises so know what's going on.

    Don't stick with telstra for loyalty reasons.

    Source: on FW with ABB and loving it.

    • mskeggs on 03/02/2021 - 10:00
      +3

      My advice is the opposite, and stick with Telstra for the transition, then change providers if you wish later.
      Doing both at once let's things fall through the cracks like, "oh, we didn't know you wanted a phone number ported. It was disconnected so now you need to get a new number."

      • wombat81 on 03/02/2021 - 10:18
        +1

        I'm 100% confident that Aussie would be able to sort out any issues such as these much quicker are more painlessly than Telstra. Aussie's customer service is top shelf. Telstra's isn't on a shelf.

        • mskeggs on 03/02/2021 - 10:57
          +2

          I don’t disagree at all with the service aspect, just have had experience myself, and with others that when things go wrong, Telstra ignores churning customers.
          If you are with them, they can at least be held to account. If you are with a new provider, the new provider often can’t resolve issues that are within Telstra’s processes, even though they might be great at providing nbn.

          • Cheaplikethebird on 03/02/2021 - 14:26

            @mskeggs: Have you had to use Telstra support recently? I was with them until last week for cable. Since the pandemic hit the only options for contacting Telstra for anything has been through either their online messaging or SMS services, both offshore.

            Last year I had recurring issues due to problems in the pit after heavy rain, it's a recurring issue that they'd fixed before and all signs pointed to this being the issue again - it still took me 4 months of jumping through hoops (while only getting 15Mbps on 100Mbps plan) before I even got to speak to someone onshore, who was able to organize a technician to come out.

            Hooked up a new NBN connection in an old house all through AussieBB and had no issues. Had to speak with tech support during the initial set up, it took 2 minutes of hold time before I was speaking with an onshore technician.

            Absolutely DO NOT go with Telstra.

            BTW while looking into this I found out that legacy services stay connected for like 24 months after switchover. I kept my Telstra cable connection going and only had it disconnected while I was up and going with NBN through AussieBB.

            • alvian on 03/02/2021 - 19:09
              +1

              @Cheaplikethebird:

              legacy services stay connected for like 24 months after switchover

              18 months after nbn becomes available

              You can find nbn's rollout and legacy services disconnection dates here.

              However, the legacy copper infrastructure will remain active in areas serve by FW & Satellite, so you can stay on POTS & ADSL if you wish.

              • RoosterBooster on 03/02/2021 - 20:11

                @alvian: Nbn has been available in my area for a while and I have always wondered why we hadn't been made to move over as we were told old infrastructure would be switched off (I didn't realise it would remain active in FW areas). Anyway, I will give nbn FW a go and glad to know I can still return back to ADSL if it doesn't work out.

                • alvian on 03/02/2021 - 20:16
                  +1

                  @RoosterBooster: Don't cancel your ADSL & POTS services even if there is a remote chance of you returning to them. I remember reading that (but I cannot find the reference right now) once you disconnect from the legacy services, no provider will restore them to your premises.

    • RoosterBooster on 03/02/2021 - 10:01

      Cheers! I don't plan on staying with Telstra but obviously we've got to move to nbn sooner or later. We're in a rural area and it seems we get the worst technology as a result. I don't think anything could be slower than the internet we've got but I was hesitant about drop outs and not knowing anything about fixed wireless. Perhaps I can talk to the neighbours too and see what they're doing.

      • hatchbackracehorse on 03/02/2021 - 10:05
        +2

        FW is well in front of Satellite for NBN technology options. I've got a connection via AussieBB and will comfortably see ~70Mbps on a speed test.

        • RoosterBooster on 03/02/2021 - 10:25

          If FW doesn't have the technology to support 100mbps and is limited to 50mbps, I don't get how FW customers can get or providers can provide 70 or 75mbps. How is that? Is the 50 an average? (Excuse my lack of internet knowledge!)

  • wombat81 on 03/02/2021 - 10:25

    I'll put in another vote for Aussie BB. My mother in law recently started a FW plan with them and, apart from the long wait for the infrastructure, she's been really happy. I would start with a 25 or 50mpbs connection and see what speeds you get. Then you can change to a higher or lower speed the following month if need be. Having said that, I reckon they'll be able to give you a pretty accurate estimate of your max speed anyway.

    My parents had a satellite connection for a long time and I wouldn't recommend it over FW. The speed is OK, but latency can get really bad at times.

    Just think hard about whether you need a fixed phone line. If there are sufficient mobiles in the house it might be time to let go. If you're concerned about emergencies like bush fires or cyclones, at satellite phone might be a better option anyway.

    • RoosterBooster on 03/02/2021 - 10:37

      I personally don't use the home phone. My dad uses the landline every couple of days to ring his parents. He's on an old $5 mobile plan and would go over otherwise. He doesn't use his mobile. My grandparents don't have mobiles and worry about the cost if they ring our mobiles from their landline. I'd be happy to do away with the landline, I think its an old folk thing. Just need to convince them to move on!

      • ShortyX on 03/02/2021 - 10:53
        +1

        My dad was on a 512 ADSL connection for years and I kept telling him to switch to NBN fixed wireless… but he procrastinated and complained all the time that the internet was slow. When COVID lockdown hit and he needed to do some Zoom meetings for work, he was told that he needed to upgrade his internet. He finally switched to NBN fixed wireless after that! Sometimes necessity breeds capability otherwise they keep to their same old ways. I would try to see if you dad can upgrade his mobile to an unlimited call plan and ditch the landline.

        The cost concern your grandparents have about calling mobiles from a landline is valid though.

        Good luck with it all!

        • wombat81 on 03/02/2021 - 10:58
          +1

          Could try to hook the GPs up with Facetime/Messenger and call for free, assuming they have NBN too…

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