Tips on the Best Broadband Deals

[adminer]

I guess if I go with a smaller usage amount of 5GB per month, I can always up it if that's not enough... whereas if you chose a higher one and drop to a lower usage, you probably get hit with a fee I'm guessing.

Half the trouble of deciding, is everyone seems to give you differing opinions on the service providers.

Hi Utegirl,
Adam Internet http://www.adam.com.au/products_home_homeadsl.php give you 5Gb for $39.95 (512/128 speed) or for $49.95 (1500/256 - which is the speed you should aim for it's 20Gb, which is huge - plenty for movies etc. You should be fine with 5Gb though - the great thing is that with ISP's such as Adam, if you exceed your quota in a month, the speed just slows and you don't get hit with a huge bill like you would with Telstra or other ISP's that don't "Shape" their plans. Sometimes if you skimp on the setup costs and monthly fee it can end up costing way more in the long run e.g. if you were mad enough to go with Dodo their excess charge is $180 a Gb.

Take a look at this plan search from whirlpool: http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/?action=search&exc=1&state=sa&class=2&type=res&cost=50&pre=5000&conntype=1&speed=1500&upspeed=0&contract=12&needhw=yes&upfront=999999

Adam comes up as one of the best for setup costs and their plans are shaped (unlike say aaNet which is cheaper per month but is not shaped with a fee for each Gb you go over your limit). The best place to buy your ADSL modem cost-wise would be MyNetFone - see: https://www.mynetfone.com.au/shop/. I'd recommend the Billion BiPAC 7401VGPM, which is not only an ADSL Modem/Wireless Router but also a VoIP phone adapter, which lets you plug in your phone or cordless and make calls over the internet at way below Telstra call cost. MyNetFone don't charge setup or a monthly fee and you get $5 credit just for buying the unit from them.

p.s. Also avoid being "locked in" with a contract that offers discount for starters - those plans usually end up costing big time in my opinion.

[utegirl70]

Heya, thanks so much for that info... I've bookmarked it!
I researched our current isp, and they're no where near a good price as Adam. Which kinda sucks, as I was hoping to stay with them.

And you're right about the locked in plans... I can just imagine our luck if we happened to pay for a 24 month contract, and then down the line in say, 12 months, theres a drop in broadband prices and we're stuck with what we're with.

Thanks again.

[hatchbackgirl75]

We're happy enough with our 3 year locked in plan and $250/G excess. Its either that or dialup ...

[Ray]

We're happy enough with our 3 year locked in plan and $250/G excess. Its either that or dialup ...

Yeah,... Well I guess that puts a different light on it .  I could possibly find something more suitable, but I can't be bothered going through the hassle of changing email addresses as they are very important to me.

[utegirl70]

Yeah,... Well I guess that puts a different light on it .  I could possibly find something more suitable, but I can't be bothered going through the hassle of changing email addresses as they are very important to me.

That's why I am so reluctant to change who we're with.. it means stuffing around with my email etc.. plus they've been very reliable.

But yeah... Adam seem to have a way better plan than our mob.

[hatchbackgirl75]

Telstra has FINALLY introduced shaping on their wireless plans. We're now on a 10G plan, shaped to 64k ... which is easy to do considering they meter uploads and downloads. Means no nasty surprises on the bill, but now we're used to 3 megabit this 64 kilobit lark seems horribly slow.

[adminer]

Shaping, wow! Maybe Telstra are finally getting the message! 

[utegirl70]

Well, we've finally done it. We've set up to go ADSL!!!

Hopefully, by the end of next week we will be dial-up FREE!!! I am SO excited, you have no idea!

We/I decided to go with internode, on the "Home 512 Starter package". $39.95 month with 5 GB. If we happen to find that to be too slow/not enough..we can upgrade with no cost.
We were looking at the next one up.. "Home 1500 Explorer" $49.95 month 10GB. We'll see how we go.

Went with internode, mainly because of the feedback we got from family and friends who are with them. Plus, they are South Aussie..and the price was so much better than most...other than Bigpond..but OMG..they have so many hidden costs, & I've heard nothing good about them.

This is all good news.. it will mean I can waste even MORE time on the net, and especially here, on Jamestownevents.com! 

[adminer]

Great News Utegirl70 - I'm with Internode and they are excellent - you won't regret it! Hope you've got a VoIP capable ADSL Modem/Router - that way we can help you save megabucks off of your 'phone bills. (e.g. a Billion 7401VGPM - the cheapest buy is through MyNetFone)

[utegirl70]

Yeah, pretty much most of my family are with Internode..it was a no brainer really.

I'm not 100% sure on the make/model of the router/modem..it's their basic one from Internode..we thought we may as well buy from them, as it's covered with a 2 year warrenty should anything stuff up. "625" rings a bell. It was $129.

[utegirl70]

I haz ADSL!!!!!!!!!!  *dances*

Woohoooo!!!

[Ray]

Is it treatable?

[utegirl70]

 

I don't want a cure!