I need a new ISP

[gokangas]

I am looking to upgrade my internet speed but cannot get adsl2 from my current provider, Netspace. Looking to change to an Optus Fusion plan. Anyone have any experience with Optus as an ISP? Any problems, downtimes etc? Anyone else have a recommendation of a good ISP?

 

[snapperbowler]

I have been looking at this too. ADSL2 needs to be on your local exchange. If it isn't you only have access to ADSL.

Have a look at iinet as they offer good deals.

 

[trevagreene]

before you sign up for anyone new check out :

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum.cfm

At least here you can read about other peoples experience with different providers.
Also, has a nice little "broadband choice" tool. Enter in your phone number and it will provide you a list of ISP's that service your area.

PS. for what its worth, I cant get ADSL or cable, so ive been using wireless broadband the last few years. Been using Unwired, and currently trialling Optus Wireless.

 

[blackshadow]

My girlfriend has Optus Fusion on their ADSL network and I give it a

Very fast and has been reliable since she got it about 12 months ago. Also reasonably priced deal $99 for 20GB net access + unlimited phone calls within Australia and no line rental.

I use Internode as my ISP and so far they have been very good. They aren't a discount ISP but they are very good.

 

[gokangas]

before you sign up for anyone new check out :

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum.cfm

At least here you can read about other peoples experience with different providers.
Also, has a nice little "broadband choice" tool. Enter in your phone number and it will provide you a list of ISP's that service your area.

PS. for what its worth, I cant get ADSL or cable, so ive been using wireless broadband the last few years. Been using Unwired, and currently trialling Optus Wireless.

Thats a great site that will save me a lot of work now. Thanks.

 

[gokangas]

My girlfriend has Optus Fusion on their ADSL network and I give it a

Very fast and has been reliable since she got it about 12 months ago. Also reasonably priced deal $99 for 20GB net access + unlimited phone calls within Australia and no line rental.

I use Internode as my ISP and so far they have been very good. They aren't a discount ISP but they are very good.

The $99 plan is the one I'm considering - seems almost too good to be true as it now includes unlimited local, STD and mobile calls to all netwroks.

 

[Mr Reliable]

GK, check if your current modem will be recognised by your new service provider.

I had a lot of trouble when I changed from BigPond to Primus. Despite being told everything was dead simple my modem had to be re-programmed at my end (by me) and at Primus' end. Very, very frustrating.....

Ever tried co-ordinating passwords with a computer nerd who thinks everyone else is a nerd too?

Before this experience I didn't even know or care what sort of modem I had. Now I know all about it.

 

[gokangas]

GK, check if your current modem will be recognised by your new service provider.

I had a lot of trouble when I changed from BigPond to Primus. Despite being told everything was dead simple my modem had to be re-programmed at my end (by me) and at Primus' end. Very, very frustrating.....

Ever tried co-ordinating passwords with a computer nerd who thinks everyone else is a nerd too?

Before this experience I didn't even know or care what sort of modem I had. Now I know all about it.

If I can get ADSL2 I have to have a new modem anyway. My modem only supports ADSL, not version 2. Biggest challenge is going wireless modem for the three computers at home. I am not a great tech head but Optus assures me it is all self install. If I have problems I'll go find a 14yo to help me.

 

[giantroo]

If I can get ADSL2 I have to have a new modem anyway. My modem only supports ADSL, not version 2. Biggest challenge is going wireless modem for the three computers at home. I am not a great tech head but Optus assures me it is all self install. If I have problems I'll go find a 14yo to help me.

You can just get a wirless router and connect it to your modem then set each computer to connect to it as long as each has a wireless network card.

 

[trevagreene]

The $99 plan is the one I'm considering - seems almost too good to be true as it now includes unlimited local, STD and mobile calls to all netwroks.

..another thing to consider, if you go the fusion plan, or any plan where you cancel your land line rental with telstra that if you have a back to base alarm system then that will not work any longer. just something to keep in mind.
Although, i do beleive there are hacks to have back to base alarms work with VOIP.

the other thing, the beauty with a "physical land line" is that it is always on. ie. not afffected by power failures....usefull if u need to dial 000 one day !! in the event of still wanting to ditch your land line, you could possibly look at a prepaid option for your land line just so you know its there and working in case of an emergency, power failure etc....

 

[Mr Reliable]

If I can get ADSL2 I have to have a new modem anyway. My modem only supports ADSL, not version 2. Biggest challenge is going wireless modem for the three computers at home. I am not a great tech head but Optus assures me it is all self install. If I have problems I'll go find a 14yo to help me.

Beware of the simple self install too. When I first connected to the Net 5 years ago I was offered self install or I could pay about $125 for an "expert" to do it.

I was encouraged to do it myself but being a complete bunny I said send the expert. He arrived with a laptop which he immediately connected to mine. I said, how would I have done a self install when I only have one computer?

Well, you couldn't, he said.

 

[snapperbowler]

Just be careful with how much downloading you can do. I know Optus only allows 2gb and then you pay for excess usage. It can become very costly.

There are other providers who will allow you up to 25gb for a lower cost.

A lot of other providers just slow down your speed.

 

[gokangas]

..another thing to consider, if you go the fusion plan, or any plan where you cancel your land line rental with telstra that if you have a back to base alarm system then that will not work any longer. just something to keep in mind.
Although, i do beleive there are hacks to have back to base alarms work with VOIP.

the other thing, the beauty with a "physical land line" is that it is always on. ie. not afffected by power failures....usefull if u need to dial 000 one day !! in the event of still wanting to ditch your land line, you could possibly look at a prepaid option for your land line just so you know its there and working in case of an emergency, power failure etc....

As I understand it the Optus Fusion plan is all based on a landline connection (ADSL) so I am not opting for an alternative phone system.

 

[Chadwiko]

GK

IF you can get it, Internode's ADSL2+ plans are by and far the best value plans out there.

Can't recommend them highly enough. I'm on them and never have any down time at all, and I get ridiculously fast speeds (i'm within 1km of my exchange).

Link : http://www.internode.on.net/residential/internet/home_adsl/extreme/pricing/

 

[blackshadow]

If I can get ADSL2 I have to have a new modem anyway. My modem only supports ADSL, not version 2. Biggest challenge is going wireless modem for the three computers at home. I am not a great tech head but Optus assures me it is all self install. If I have problems I'll go find a 14yo to help me.

Optus self install is dead easy.

My GF received a brand new modem/wireless router when she signed up with them and an installation CD.

Their ADSL2 speed is very fast.

I'm not an Optus advocate - I hate their overseas based tech support and have had to use the telecommunications ombudsman to sort out some issues with them in the past but I see the 20GB Optus Fusion package as a very good product.

I agree that Internode is awesome but they can't compete on price for the Optus package.

 

[miss_kate18]

I am very happy with iiNet. Good price- $59.95 a month for 8GB peak and 8GB offpeak downloads. Ideally I would want more download space but being an el cheapo uni student you have to take what you can get!

The best thing is their tech support has been brilliant so far. I had some major problems with installation and it wasn't their fault- Telstra stuffed something up at their exchange- but they were really helpful and didn't charge me for the time I didn't have the internet. Also fast speeds and the only time my internet's dropped out has been a problem with my computer's inbuilt wireless and not their service.

 

[NICK_ROOBOY83]

Well i had optus for 4 years before i went with telstra & can say that optus was robbing me blind. I was paying $80 a month for only 6Gb. Then they down graded me to a 2Gb for $52 bucks.

So i changed & went with telstra & now I'm on a 12Gb for about $59.95. The best thing at the time i got it was that i had the first 10 months half price. was a good deal then, not sure it still exits.