Suggestions for Budget Basic Internet Solution

PLA74 on 10/09/2025 - 21:52
Last edited 10/09/2025 - 22:48 by 2 other users

Hello, I am helping a friend setup their office. Premises has NBN FTTP as well as all major carriers 5G towers very close by.

Basically only a few security cameras, printer, one laptop and smartphone will require internet connection for basic office tasks such as emails, web browsing etc. (no gaming or heavy streaming). And only two users max.

Was thinking of giving Optus 5G internet or Vodafone 5G or similar (using ISP supplied modem/router) a go due to flexibility of plug and play, no contract lock in period, modem/shipping/setup fees. Alternatively, I thought of Felix mobile sim into an unlocked modem/router.

Thoughts please?

Thanks

Internet Broadband FTTP nbn Wireless Broadband

Comments

  • tekisei on 10/09/2025 - 22:00
    +1

    Moose NBN $46.80 25up/10down, 6 months, then churn.

  • OMGJL on 10/09/2025 - 22:23

    i've been living with 4g between late 2022 to mid 2024.

    I started with Felix SIM and end up had a soft lock (that SIM works in my phone but not my 4G router, and other SIM works in my 4G router)

    I then churned through all those Boost SIMs, and in the down time I've bought Lebara/Amaysim/Tangerine/Belong sims from various supermarket discount/ cashback deals.

    often they give like 70-100GB or so data, and that'd be enough for me to Youtube and online game for like 2 weeks. I just keep switching.

    running cost is around $20 a month, with a lot of efforts.

    Back then I was poor and I got nothing better to do, good times.

  • Twix on 10/09/2025 - 23:30
    +3

    nbn FTTP 25/10 $55/m ongoing with a Static IP @ Neptune Internet. Get your own router.

  • simplystu on 11/09/2025 - 00:04
    +3

    Running a business - on a Residential grade line == asking for trouble.

    But hey if you want … ATLEAST use a router - load balancing … Or that can use 4G as backup (when main connection goes down).

    Use case - mate doesn't need much in terms of up/down … But being a business … Redundancy is bigger issue.

    Is mate OK to be without internet for hours/days at a time ??

    • geekcohen on 11/09/2025 - 05:46

      Running a business - on a Residential grade line == asking for trouble.

      I don't see a problem in this. I've setup a few businesses on Starlink Residential with no problems. Depending on the business, some will use less than a residential user! Sure it might not have an SLA, but depending on the location and business, an Residential Service will be just fine.

      Use case - mate doesn't need much in terms of up/down … But being a business … Redundancy is bigger issue.

      Depending on the business, yes, redundancy could be an advantage but may not be a requirement.

    • PLA74 on 11/09/2025 - 07:23

      Apologies didn’t clarify in my post - this internet connection is for a secondary office location which won’t be used a lot and the people going in/out of this premises all have ample of mobile internet data for hotspot in the event residential grade internet is having issues.

      Hence seeking a cheap/flexible no lock in contract internet option that can stay fixed at the premises as best as possible.

  • geekcohen on 11/09/2025 - 05:48
    +1

    My 2 cents, go with an NBN FTTP connection. It'll be cheaper and more reliable than going with a 5G Solution. The issue with 5G is reliability and latency. If you have FTTP, go with that. NBN offers a comparable price to 5G solutions, and you can opt for a month-to-month plan with your own routers.

    Based on the usage you have advised, a 500/50 FTTP solution would be perfect.

  • mskeggs on 11/09/2025 - 08:09

    If you have 2 users trying to use MS Teams at the same time it will be worth it to have fibre NBN over wireless.
    It is $20 a week for residential grade fibre, hardly a large expense.

  • holdenmg on 11/09/2025 - 08:33

    Apart from connectivity, consider physical security for the Laptop such as a Cable Lock and what data back-up measures you can implement.

    If their business is dependent on the Laptop, loss or accidental physical damage can cause a lot of disruption.

  • Gunther on 11/09/2025 - 10:15

    How much data are they consuming?

    I've put my elderly parents on an Amaysim 240GB plan for ~$200/year (~$16/month) when its sale. Runs on a TP-Link Mr6400.

    • PLA74 on 11/09/2025 - 10:30

      Awesome, thanks. I was kind of leaning towards this solution (have a spare 4G modem/router similar to TP-Link Mr6400).

      They use Approx. 50-85gb/month.

      Just was unsure which providers would allow mobile sims to be used in modems and not 'block'. I read some stories regarding Felix mobile blocking online…

      • Twix on 11/09/2025 - 12:27
        +2

        5G broadband is CG-NAT only and can block remote access to some security cameras. Are the cameras setup using the cloud or a local NVR?

        • PLA74 on 11/09/2025 - 13:55
          +1

          5G broadband/dynamic IP/ipv6/CG-NAT is no issues at all. Their other premises runs 5G broadband no issues all these years as they're all cloud nothing local/DDNS :)

  • PLA74 on 12/09/2025 - 12:37

    Hey all, do you know if Felix mobile sim can be used in a iPad (unlocked iPad Pro 13 with cellular/5G)? Thanks

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