ISP advice for Adelaidians?

[rookie2]

My position

Family & I move into new home next month - ADSL2 is available.

I have been on dial up with Picknowl/chariot for years with no major hassles.

We have averaged only 200 - 300mb/month but kids now want more music clips etc when we move. I want to do a lot more with my photos and even look at setting up a web page (I am an IT-telco dunce)

we will have foxtel hence leaning towards cable rather than ADSL

Checked with Telstra and we can get "unlimited" cable plan for $45/month for 24 months - no set up costs bc of bundling. (1/2 price for first 12 months)

we are not into gaming or hi tec stuff so apart from the long contract and despite all the anti- Telstra stuff posted on whrlpool, this seems to be a reasonable deal for us.

any opinions?

thanks for any feedback.

rookie2

[pippin88]

Cable for $45 per month for 2 years is a good deal. Make sure that price is for the whole two years.

You'll only get 10gig per month though, then slowed to below dial up speeds. The unlimited bit is marketing lies.

You will got through a hell of a lot more usage than you did on dial up. Expect to take a while to learn how much you really can download etc.

Otherwise, I'd get ADSL2. Who is it available through?

In my opinion you cannot go past Internode as an isp. They have the best customer service I've seen by far.

As for setting up a website, I recommend getting webhosting with a proper company. Quite cheap and it's what is really needed.

[Oneputt]

Internode - and they are Adelaide based as well. Great to deal with.

[gstark]

We've been with Exetel for a couple of years now and have no complaints at all. Should be switching to ADSL2+ today.

Because we're high bandwidth users, we subscribe to one of their more expensive plans, but the new plan we're moving too is still only PP100/month, which includes our phone rental.

We get 36GB peak downloads, and we use a fair bit of that.

[daniel_r]

Adelaide + ISP ?

= internode


Their customer service is great, and their pricing is competitive. Quick turnaround on new accounts too.

Highly recommended.

[chet]

just thought I'd point you in the direction of the the Whirlpool forums - LOADS of great info / discussion on ISP's Australia-wide. Some fantastic info over there.

[bouyant_clown]

Hi Rookie2,
if you've been happy with chariot for years (as i also have been) then why not stick with them? I also have been investigating highspeed broadband and from what i have discovered the chariot rates are pretty close to the mark.
I know that they have closed some offices recently but as they are adelaide based we shouldn't notice any difference in customer support around here!

[rookie2]

thanks all

Internode has been a popular choice of rellies and people at work.

I'm not sure if they can match the bundled cable deal with Telstra tho bc of various specials and discounts. I can also downgrade the plan if not using the 10GB.

I dont think I would need the extra speed of ADSL2 in next two years??

I have been on whirlpool.net and got some feedback from there too - a great site to get the lowdown on everything telco.

thanks again for the help.

Looking forward to getting into this more!

cheers

rookie2

[rasice]

Do a plan search on Whirlpool http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc-plan.cfm
Personally I have iinet (with iiphone) very happy with it. Internode is also supposed to be good.

You should try to get at least 5gb of quota a month because you will probably download more media or visit high bandwith sites with ADSL 2 speeds.

[beetleboy]

I have ADSL2+ thru Adam.

Used to work for Chariot, I don't use them as a provider - that should be enough to put you off without being too disparaging! And if you do some research you'll find their plans are very expensive (and support is kak).

Internode is good, service is great. We use them at the studio..however, when I moved house recently I signed up with Adam cos they're cheaper + local + great support. Couldn't be happier with them.

[rasice]

Here a direct link to the search.

http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc-plan.cfm? ... ont=999999

Most plans are 50 dollars quite a few require a phone bundle though. I have the iinet phone bundle it includes a VOIP line which has really cut down my phone bills.

[digitor]

Internode ADSL 2+ & Nodephone VOIP & Homeline Budget - when only the best will do.

Cheers

[rookie2]

thanks all..I'm still weighing up the various options (and there are plenty)

the most common advice I see on Whirlpool is "dont go to telstra and 24 month contracts"

"in 6 months time ADSL2 will more available and cheaper.... you'll regret Telstras crappy 10G plan (includes both uplodad/downloads) and having everything bundled with them"

internode will get a call shortly!

cheers and thanks

rookie2

[cawdor]

All I can say is stay away from Telstra and Optus. I'm in the computer business and the majority of customers with internet/ADSL problems are on either Telstra or Optus - their support is horrible, their plans lack value. One customer was so frustrated he called me to come out and ring Optus for him. After explaining my profession and the situation to the "support" guy who had a thick Indian accent, the first question he asked me was "is the power cord plugged in". I wanted to hang up then and there.

I'm with iiNet on ADSL2, no complaints here.

[fozzie]

rookie2 - I am another Internode client and have:

Extreme ADSL2+

Min: 1500kbit/256kbit

Max: 24000kbit /1000kbit

[Blackspear]

I'm another Internode fan, very impressed with product and service.

Cheers

[Marvin]

Man, you guys are just making me cry on my 40k dial up!!!

[DanielA]

I'm another happy Internode user.
I remember what 40k was like. Did I mention the extreme plan is very nice...

Daniel

[Blackspear]

Man, you guys are just making me cry on my 40k dial up!!!

How long since you have tried for ADSL, it is worth trying at least once a month, and it costs you nothing to do so...

Cheers