Internet & Home Phone bundle

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  ESEMCE on 09/10/2012 - 09:01

  have heard stories telstras internet service provides better connection with fewer dropouts when streaming live tv

  That may be true for Wireless Internet (ie 3G or 4G), but the connection on ADSL is line and distance dependent and nothing else.
  ie ADSL internet speed will be the same at your house no matter who is your provider.

  If you have Foxtel cable, you could get internet service (and home phone) through the cable and you'd see an increase in speed.

  Have you considered going Naked and using VoIP for your home phone?

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    _Bruce_ on 09/10/2012 - 09:30

    If you have Foxtel cable, you could get internet service (and home phone) through the cable and you'd see an increase in speed.

    Possibly. Cable suffers greatly from over subscription though, so this is very dependant on the area you are in and the time of day you are using it.

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  Melis on 09/10/2012 - 09:13

  Hi, thanks for your feedback.

  I am not the most computer literate person so please explain what is the difference between cable/broadband and ADSL2 (which seems to be more frequently advertised).

  Unfortunately I do not have Foxtel cable.

  I have considered purchasing internet only (with no home phone) but with Optus for ex, it was only a $10 difference.

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    _Bruce_ on 09/10/2012 - 09:35

    ADSL2: Uses traditional phone lines to the exchange. Limited by the capability and distance of these lines. Mostly service is at the exchange by telstra or optus, though there are many resellers.

    Cable: Uses a coax separate system to the exchange. Bandwidth is shared between everyone in the area. Great for sending out TV as everyone gets the same thing, but for internet doesn't work well when there are lots of users. Only available from Telstra/Optus (AFAIK).

    As they have to connect the line anyway for ADSL there isn't always a huge saving (unlike back when there was a $30 surchange for phone connection). Some ADSL connections include VOIP service and credit.

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      Melis on 09/10/2012 - 09:41

      Thanks,

      I am with Optus already and am looking for a provider with high speeds at any given time of the day. I am in Melb and want a connection with good overall connection/speed.

      I've seen dodo and tpg etc advertise good adsl2 bundles but wasnt sure what speeds they deliver and if it is better than cable.

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        _Bruce_ on 09/10/2012 - 10:05

        With ADSL it depends on two things:

        1: Distance to the exchange (and quality of the line). This is absolutely the most important factor, and will make (almost) no difference if you change provider.

        2: Back end congestion. Once your data gets to the exchange where it goes from there varies depending on who you are with and some (dodo) and known for being overloaded at peek times. This is separate from the cable issue, with is a physical limitation to do with the connection to your house.

        Although there are different DSLAMs you can be connected to in the exchange, in reality this doesn't make much difference.

        Point 2 might be solved by changing ISP, but really Optus are pretty good. If your issue is point 1 changing will acheive little. A better modem might help a bit. Cable is a bit of a roll of the dice, maybe investigate (whirlpool?) what it is like in your area.

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  Melis on 09/10/2012 - 10:20

  How will I know how far I am from the exchange? Is there a way I can research it or will the telco's tell me this?

  I'll give whirlpool a go.

  Thanks again.

  • 

    ESEMCE on 09/10/2012 - 11:59

    plug your address in here
    http://www.adsl2exchanges.com.au/
    it will give you an estimate on ADSL line speed.

    Also check out here
    http://nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map.html
    to see if/when your area is getting Fibre to the Premises which will offer guaranteed speeds

    For the time being though you're restricted to ADSL (through the telephone line) or Cable (Through Foxtel cable) or Wireless (Through a Mobile phone network)