Going Wireless??

[Deeno]

Currently thinking about ditching the phone land line and going with wireless broadband.
Can anyone recommend a wireless provider?

Many Thanks
Deeno

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Deeno,

I dont have any affiliation with Virgin apart from having a Virgin Pre-paid mobile and this information comes from being a Telecommunications engineer for 20 years.

A neighbour of mine uses Virgin Broadband which is a wireless router that also splits out an analogue interface for the home phone line (keeping the same number as before but only after 30 days have gone by).

The deal was about $60 per month for phone AND broadband with 2G allowance, however the downside is the reception wasnt so good so he had to put up a "microwave" type dish to get better signal (about the same size as a foxtel sat dish). On the UP side is they get free calls to Virgin Mobiles, local and National calls and no connection fee to switch over. They also have a 30 day satisfaction guarantee (which is why you have to wait to retain your old number) whereby they will remove the service and reinstate the old one (effectively you have 2 lines for 30days) if you arent happy with the service after they have tried to make it work / fixed any issues you may have.

The speed is typically 512kb download so its not as quick as true broadband as it runs on the HSDPA mobile 3G network, however, for $60 a month for phone and Internet and free calls to everywhere in Aus, its hard to go past.

If you have a good Virgin signal strength in your area (runs on the Optus Mobile Network) and/or Virgin mobile you could save some SERIOUS dollars if you are prepared to potentially take a speed hit at only 512kb. After 2G have been used, the speed is reduced to typically 64kb-128kb so you dont have to pay any excess charges.

I also know that "3" have a $30 5Gig plan which is wireless that could also be of use to you, probably the same sort of speed, but it would also depend on whether you were in their coverage area. The benefit of the "3" solution is that it is not a home phone so the service is truly wireless as it is a dongle that attaches to laptop/PC etc, this allows you to use it anywhere there is coverage, rather than like the Virgin one which needs to stay at home because your home phone relies on the router being there to make it work.

See what you think, that's my two cents.

Chris

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

Vodafone have also been actively advertising a $39 5Gb wireless plan, don't know much else about it at this time.

Edit : so I did some searching, came up with this:

http://www.vodafone.com.au/Personal/...band/index.htm

"Vodafone Mobile Broadband operates on our 3G broadband network so you'll enjoy fast downloads within the 3G broadband areas, which cover metropolitan Sydney, Central Coast, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and Perth, plus all major international airports in Australia. When you venture outside 3G broadband areas, you'll be switched seamlessly onto our GPRS network and you'll only be charged one rate.
With 3G broadband technology you can now enjoy data download speeds typically ranging from 600kbps to 1.4Mbps (based on network testing). Keep in mind various factors such as coverage, your location, your hardware and software, the source of your download and general network and internet traffic will impact on actual speeds experienced."

"An amazing 5GB for only $39 a month, plus free USB modem or data card when you sign up with us on a 24-month contract. Buy direct or visit a Vodafone store today."