Wireless Broadband

[barry]

I am thinking of upgrading my dial-up connection to wireless broadband and in doing so cancel my landline service.

Has anyone done this.

Are there any pitfalls to wireless connections over hardwired broadband.

Also was thinking about unwired.com.au as they only slow your speed down once you reach your download limit.

Is 1G download limit satisfactory for a home computer.

What does everyone think?

Barry

[Oneputt]

Barry I have been using wireless for several years now without problems. I use a netcomm modem and my ISP is Internode. Very reliable all around.

[moggy]

I'm with Optusnet broadband with a 1G limit and speed penalty if I exceed limit (which I haven't done yet in two years use). I tried to get by with a lower limit but it didn't work. Their service has been good and overall I've been happy with them. Hope this helps.

Bob.

[fozzie]

Barry - like Oneputt I have been using wireless Broadband (Billion - Modem/Router) via ISP - Internode to several years. So far, so good, actually - excellent, and you have the beauty on moving your computer/laptop to any part of the unit/house.

This is the plan that I am on:

HOME-512-Starter $39.95 512k / 128k 2 GB Shaped (All relevant details contained within following website)

http://adsl.internode.on.net/pricing/home.htm

Although this does not apply to you, but Internode HO is in the CBD of Adelaide, so if I have any problem/s I can go face to face with the ISP.

I am sure others will come along with cheaper plans.

[leek]

I have heard of people who've had bad experiences with Unwired... e.g. it works at the front of the house, but not at the back where his study is...

It's difficult to comment whether 1Gb is enough as it will depend on how you personally use the internet... 1Gb would be plenty for a lot of people, but would be insufficient for others... Be aware that having broadband will change the way that you use the internet in itself as it is so much easier and quicker to use...

I wish I could get rid of my expensive landline, but can't as it is required for my burglar alarm and Foxtel box...

[rokkstar]

I was using veritel wireless with a 1gb limit!!
It was terrible. I'm sure wireless is great but not from these people.
I have just gone back to a landline with wireless router so that I can have my laptop connected in the bedroom or the lounge rather than being tied to the desk.
I've gone onto a $49.95 20gb plan. I haven't tested it long enough to commment but seems ok this far. A lot better than Veritel!!

personally, I would say 1GB is not enough. Like leek says, you use it differently. Photographs for instance take no time to load so you end up looking at more and hey presto, 1gb has gone. It's surprising how much you use just surfing the net.


Rant over

[Mal]

Barry I have been a happy user of Exetel for the past 12 months.
I would suggest a visit to http://www.whirlpool.net.au/ This website will give you all the info you need plus all the pros and con's of all the ISP in OZ

[MCWB]

Barry: the good thing about Unwired is that you have a free trial for a period of time. Basically you buy the modem and sign up for a plan, with a money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied, so if the speed is inadequate, dropouts frequent etc, you can take it back within x days and lose nothing. Having said that though, end-user reviews on Unwired haven't been favourable in many cases.

I believe Wireless broadband is going to be the way of the future, but for the moment it's too expensive and the service itself crappier than DSL/Cable, just like mobile phones were in the beginning. If you really want wireless but just around the house, DSL/Cable connection -> 802.11b/g router is the way to go.

[gstark]

Fozzie, Oneputt,

What Barry is looking for is an unwired broadband connection, not a wireless connection to ADSL or cable.

Barriy,

I use Unwired through Exetel, and would recommend that most highly.

First of all, you'll get a better deal through Exetel.

Second, our AW dinner webcast was managed, run, and sent back to our server at home from and using my Unwired connection.

Only you can determine what's an adequate connection for your needs, but but with Exetel if you go over your limit it's just $3Gb. In my case, I can run 3Gb over, and still be cheaper than the next plan.

[gstark]

just like mobile phones were in the beginning.

Are you suggesting that we have a decent mobile service in Sydney?

Call round to that well known outlying, fringe area, Bondi, and let me fill you in on the truth.

[petermmc]

I live in a new subdivision in the gong and we are not yet able to get broadband after many inquiries. They did not bother to get the infrastructure right even in a brand new suburb only 2or3ks from the centre of town.

Peter Mc

[MCWB]

I'm merely stating that the coverage for wireless broadband is currently patchy, as was that of analog mobiles when they first started. I'm making no statements, actual or implied, about the current quality of coverage.

[gstark]

Or absence thereof.

[petermmc]

I just like to vent my displeasure at not having broadband and having to wait minutes to look at peoples' photos. Impatience is one of my many weaknesses. This seemed to be as oppotune a time as any.

[Killakoala]

I use iBurst (through iiNet and Ozemail) and i am happy with it.

I did trial Unwired but it did not work well where i live (North Ryde). It was a pain in the bum getting decent reception (or any reception).

iBurst penetrates buildings better than Unwierd.

Have a look at whirlpool.net.au and look under WIRELESS for heaps info.

[barry]

Thanks everyone for your input.

It seems that I need to do a bit of homework but Gary is right I want an unwired setup so i can give landline the flick.

I figure the money I will save on line rental (for a phone I don't use other than for dial-up) and dial-up fees will more than pay for my unwired service.

Barry

[jberth1]

I'm with Optusnet broadband with a 1G limit and speed penalty if I exceed limit (which I haven't done yet in two years use). I tried to get by with a lower limit but it didn't work. Their service has been good and overall I've been happy with them. Hope this helps.

Bob.

I'm also on the Optusnet cable service. The speed is of course blindingly fast (much better than any ADSL or wireless service), but I do find that with a 1gig limit there are plenty of months where I have to ration it out for the last week or so. The speed shaping after 1gig is a killer, as they knock you back to 28K. Better than getting hit with excess usage charges though

I'd like 3gig, but since I'm a tightarse I make do with 1gig !

Cheers

Justin

[gstark]

I figure the money I will save on line rental (for a phone I don't use other than for dial-up) and dial-up fees will more than pay for my unwired service.

ADSL will use your existing voice line in parallel with its current use, with no ill effects on its use as a voice line.

[gstark]

The speed is of course blindingly fast (much better than any ADSL or wireless service),

Actually, in most cases, it's not, and the so-called speed advantage is just a big myth, perpetrated by those who sell cable.

The truth is that you will only be as fast as the slowest connection between your target URL and yourself. If that's something hosted at or close to your cable provider, then yes, it will be fast.

Beyond that gateway, rots'o'ruck!

[jberth1]

The speed is of course blindingly fast (much better than any ADSL or wireless service),

Actually, in most cases, it's not, and the so-called speed advantage is just a big myth, perpetrated by those who sell cable.

The truth is that you will only be as fast as the slowest connection between your target URL and yourself. If that's something hosted at or close to your cable provider, then yes, it will be fast.

Beyond that gateway, rots'o'ruck!

I guess I'm luckily picking up lots of cached stuff at Optus, 'cause my cable service really is fast. Not all pages are loading directly from the target URL all the time, and if you're hitting some of the more frequently hit sites then those are likely to be cached just down the other end of the cable. One day I'll plug in some sort of software speed logger and run some figures of my own....maybe I'll switch to an ADSL service with higher download limit....

I've used quite a few ADSL services, and I think I'm more than happy with my cable service in comparison.

I'd wish those trying to get a reliable wireless service lots'o'luck !!

Cheers

Justin

[Oneputt]

Just out of interest I started to look into unwired services since I saw this thread. It appears that there is very little available in Qld. Most of the serviced areas seem to be in Sydney. Would that be right?

[birddog114]

Just out of interest I started to look into unwired services since I saw this thread. It appears that there is very little available in Qld. Most of the serviced areas seem to be in Sydney. Would that be right?

That why we live in Sydney

[gstark]

Just out of interest I started to look into unwired services since I saw this thread. It appears that there is very little available in Qld. Most of the serviced areas seem to be in Sydney. Would that be right?

That is correct, but expect it to change over the next 12 months.

[Oneputt]

Gary given the period that it has been available in Sydney the rollout appears to be very slow.

[gstark]

Gary given the period that it has been available in Sydney the rollout appears to be very slow.

It's actually been well designed and deliberate.

They wanted to get Sydney's infrastructure in place first; they've recently had a substantial injection of funds and that is going to permit the interstate rollout to proceed.

Contrast that with iBurst, if you wish, who started with rollouts in other states as well, but are now sufferring serious financial issues.

[Oneputt]

I look foward to it being available here