nbn FTTN Alternatives?

stuarty9 on 29/04/2023 - 16:48
Last edited 29/04/2023 - 18:18 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I am wondering what NBN alternatives are working well for people out there? I need 500gb+ internet (home usage) a month. I currently have FTTN NBN however lately has been dropping in and out and it's painful (with Spintel and have been for many years).

I was looking at the Telstra 5g broadband which is $85 p/m for 1tb. However not sure if this is the best route. I guess a portable dongle with a data sim would also be an option? How are speeds with this type of setup?

I would like to hear from others who have explored alternatives. Was it worth it? And what did you end up with?

Cheers.

Internet Broadband FTTN nbn

Comments

  • Hybroid on 29/04/2023 - 16:49
    +3

    Switch to Aussie Broadband. Rock solid. You get what you pay for.

  • tio on 29/04/2023 - 17:04

    if you can get telstra home 5G and happy with the price, go for it. I believe you've got 1st month free to try out the service. I had pretty solid experience with it, consistently 3 times faster than my fttn100 i previously had. I would have continued with telstra, but got the FTTP upgrade so I switched back to nbn now.

  • 7ekn00 on 29/04/2023 - 17:37
    +1

    You realise Spintel is a low grade NBN provider right?

    Why change the whole connection method when the main issue is most likely a crappy NBN provider?

    Transfer to Aussie Broadband and a good chance your problems are solved ;)

    If you really think other methods are viable, can go starlink or 5G, but both are more expensive than a simple switch to a different NBN provider!

  • holdenmg on 29/04/2023 - 17:43

    What NBN Router have you got?

  • bmxr on 29/04/2023 - 17:46

    Don't know if you game or specifically need a low latency connection, but 5G, despite having comparable, if not faster, speeds than NBN does have higher latency (ping). An additional 30ms or so on 5G.

  • stuarty9 on 29/04/2023 - 18:35

    Appreciate the responses. I've been happy with Spintel, I think I've been with them for ~7yrs.
    All I currently do is study, Netflix/other steams and surfing the net - no gaming at this stage. Quite a few devices are used at the one time.
    Just had a look at Aussie broadband; $79 for 50/20 or $99 for 100/20. Wouldn't Telstra 5G at $85 p/m a better option, consider the speed it should be offering? I am ok with the 1tb compared to the unlimited.

    • USER DC on 29/04/2023 - 18:41

      Dont forget that pricing is often for a just 6 month promo period too (with NBN).

      that's why 5G is better in long term (plus 1st month free & after 3 yrs 5G modem is yours)

    • Twix on 29/04/2023 - 19:08

      Telstra 5G can be much better speed wise than FTTN.

      Have you tested a new VDSL2 modem?

      Can you get FTTP?

  • USER DC on 29/04/2023 - 18:38

    Go with 5G home internet, Best option IMO for a long term usage

    Vodafone/TPG is cheaper, otherwise if you want more speed go with telstra

  • donkcat on 29/04/2023 - 19:49

    I had the whole FTTN NBN drop out issue. I was with ABB and they were fantastic at handling it and I doubt other ISP's would be so proactive chasing up NBN co for you. I had the advantage that I had 2 NBN routers at the time so when I called them they could see that I had way more drop outs then even I was aware of, they could also see that I had drop outs on 2 routers which meant they could lodge the complaint straight with NBN co. Bottom line is it took 3-4 weeks to fix which consisted of 3 NBN co techs coming out, the first 2 would plug their device into the phone line and basically showed no fault to they could report back to NBN that fault wasn't found. ABB then could see the issue wasn't fixed and lodge the fault with NBN again. Anyway the 3rd NBN tech was a bit more savvy and thought I might be on a dud port at the node, so he switched my port at the node and I've never had the issue since.

    At the time there was a large thread on whirlpool forums with people who also had the issue so it's not that uncommon on FTTN.

    So I would recommend changing to ABB and lodging the fault with them.

  • boomramada on 30/04/2023 - 11:17

    I currently have FTTN NBN however lately has been dropping in and out and it's painful (with Spintel and has been for many years).

    Have you contacted the ISP? Has ISP contacted the NBN? Have they investigated the issue?

    You don't need to go on the AAB bandwagon, check those first. I bet they are good, but for the typical user, they are fine.
    I have been with Iinet/Spintel with no issues whatsoever.

    • stuarty9 on 30/04/2023 - 12:27

      Yeah I’ve had one NBN tech come out and apparently there is no issue.
      I’ve got another tech coming tomorrow, hopefully I’ll be able to speak with him as there is clearly an issue.
      I’m thinking it’s an issue at the port or node. I’ve tried another VDSL router and it is having the exact same issue.
      I’ve disconnected and reconnected the connection into the wall plug.
      The entire cable into my property is only about 2yrs old (was replaced when we renovated).
      The odd thing is the internet comes back one probably once every few hours for about 2minutes then just drops out again.

  • stuarty9 on 05/05/2023 - 08:10
    +1

    An update for anyone interested/following:
    Spintel got a second NBN tech out the day after I requested (first tech closed the case and said there was no fault..) Promt and good service from Spintel.

    NBN Tech spent a few hours investigating and has said that part of the cable a couple of hundred meters away is on its last legs. It’s back working but he said that it will need to be replaced and there’s every chance that I will experience similar issues until NBN replace the cable.. Yet to be advised when this will be and I am not holding my breathe..

    I decided to give the 5G Telstra wifi broadband a go. It came the day after I ordered it and was easy to set up. Has worked flawlessly since connecting (connected to mesh network).
    Network speeds (via wifi) certainly vary but seem to average out at 120-150mbps. Has reached 240mbps.
    My Spintel plan was 50/20 so its a nice little speed bump. 5 days on, I am yet to experience a drop out.
    I am thinking I may stick with the Telstra 5G until such time NBN sort the cable out and upgrade me to FTTP.

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