Internet Options in Lightning Broadband Apartment

sclass on 28/04/2021 - 08:43
Last edited 28/04/2021 - 15:29 by 2 other users

Hi all, I’ve just moved into an apartment in metro Melbourne using Optus mobile broadband I had previously for internet.

However, the speeds are simply unusable (3 Mbps at best) and even my mobile data via Catch seems to have come to a crawl. Unfortunately, there is only Lightning Broadband an embedded ISP that charges a premium, so I’m wondering whether there are alternatives I haven’t thought of. For example, should I try Telstra mobile broadband or would I get similar results to what I’m getting now?

Any other options?

Internet

Comments

  • geekcohen on 28/04/2021 - 09:05

    Is there no Optus 5G available?

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 09:22

      No 5G in the area unfortunately. And I don't know if it's because of where I am in the apartment building, but I am getting H+ (not even 3G) most of the time.

      • triviums on 28/04/2021 - 09:51
        +3

        H+ is better than 3G.

  • No Child Support on 28/04/2021 - 09:14

    There was a telstra 5g deal from JB Hifi, that would be your best bet. They can refund too if the 5g speed isn't up to specs

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 14:11

      I'm 200 m outside the range on the coverage map :(

  • jm7 on 28/04/2021 - 09:21

    Could try Felix Mobile if you have good Vodafone reception in your apartment. $35/month, unlimited data, up to 20Mbps, no contract.

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 15:00

      I only recently got a long-expiry Catch SIM for my phone! But this is a good option to know about.

  • stirlo on 28/04/2021 - 09:30
    +1

    only an embedded NBN provider
    Thats not really possible. NBN is an open network.

    I'm assuming you're referring to an embedded/private Internet provider, not NBN? Probably Opticom?

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 14:13

      It's Lightning Broadband with FTTB/FTTP, starting at $75/month for 25 Mbps unlimited.

      • Twix on 28/04/2021 - 15:27

        Lightning Broadband is an ISP with their own private network. Unrelated to the nbn.

  • geek001 on 28/04/2021 - 09:31
    +1

    Best to get a sim card from Telstra or Vodafone or one of their reseller networks and test out the speed first. I think their resellers regularly have $5/$10 first month sims at the supermarkets. That's how I was able to determine Vodafone was faster in my area compared to Optus. Telstra was good too, but they don't have high data cap plans. YMMV.

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 14:57

      I might grab a Telstra SIM first to see how it fares!

  • AndyC1 on 28/04/2021 - 09:40

    What 4G modem do you use? There are apps that allow you to check out what the modem is doing and adjust what mobile bands it uses depending on the modem. Optus in allot of cases with slowdown has issues with band B40 and the apps allow you to exclude it and get speeds of 15 to 20MBps until Optus fix the B40.

    If you have a B525 or B818 check out the following:
    https://yescrowd.optus.com.au/t5/Mobile/Is-it-possible-to-Te…

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 14:07

      It's an E5573 (4G B1/3/7/28/40, 3G B1/5/8).

      • AndyC1 on 28/04/2021 - 19:22
        +1

        It is not a very good modem and indicate that your signal is not very good and unfortunately with the E5573 the only option to improve the signal strength is to buy some TS9 antenna on Ebay and give them a try. I have used a E5577, which has a LCD interface otherwise it's the same as the E5573 and it had issues with slow downloads when the signal dropped.

        The Optus B818 modem is a heck of allot better than the E5573.

        If you know someone with a Optus E525 or B818 ask them to come around and see what download speed they can get at your place. I would not buy a B818 outright as you will not be able to return it.

        The B818 is unlocked and will work on the Telstra or Vodafone network if you get a SIM for the network (tested this last year when I upgraded from a AC800S to the B818 as the Optus tower near me has a stuffed B40 and my configuration would not allow me to telnet into the AC800S to lock out B40 for some reason).

  • triviums on 28/04/2021 - 09:51
    +2

    Have you checked RFNSA to find out where the closest tower to you is?

    It should help you explain why it is so slow, such as placing the 4G modem in the wrong corner of the apartment. The modem should be placed in the direction of the tower, if possible.

    RFNSA should also help determine if changing network providers is beneficial.

    • ozwog05 on 28/04/2021 - 10:43

      ^^ this

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 14:02

      Thanks for the tip. There's an Optus tower 140 m away, and I've just tried moving the modem but no difference unfortunately.

      • triviums on 28/04/2021 - 14:24

        That's very close to you. What's between you and the tower? e.g concrete wall, other apartments, trees,etc.

  • bobbified on 28/04/2021 - 10:46
    +1

    When I went through the documents for the 80 A'Beckitt St (Melb) building before, it was meant to be an embedded network through a single supplier too. But I noticed that there was the standard NBN box inside the apartment. I contacted TPG and they did the connection remotely without a problem. Might be good to actually check what you have to find out what's really possible. At the end of the day, the speeds might vary between wireless and wired, but a fixed line connection is usually more reliable.

    • sclass on 28/04/2021 - 15:04

      No modem, just a plug in the wall. And entering my address into various provider websites always yields "no connection available".

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