Broadband Internet

Lbluedufflecoat on 26/09/2009 - 16:42

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a new ISP. Am currently with BigPond Cable (initially) paying $60 per month for 12GB of data (uploads and downloads included) and bundled with a home service (which may or may not need to be continued) for 2 years. The contract ended last month and they've upped the price to $70 per month (I suppose the promotional rate of $60 only applied while the contract was in force).

So, now that I'm no longer on contract, I am looking for a new ISP service, in the Hawthorn, VIC area. Anything $60/month and less for about the same 12GB per month (and preferably better) would be what I'm looking for. Of course, reliability of service is also a very significant factor.

Wouldn't mind bundling with homephone, but don't really need the homephone, so if I can get away without a second service, that would be better.

The HUGE selection on Whirlpool has a substantial number of players - but I don't know how reliable the service is?

Appreciate your thoughts!

Thanks.
Amelyn

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • suchislife12 on 26/09/2009 - 17:33

    Hey
    try ring tpg.com.au. 49.99 a month for 80gb. You wont be able to sign up online but you can ring and sign up

  • bluedufflecoat on 26/09/2009 - 18:21

    I won't be able to sign up online?

    Their website mentioned something about not having enough ports in my area for ADSL2+. Are you saying, calling them up might get me ADSL2+ eventhough it's not "advertised" as available?

    Thanks!

  • Davo1111 on 26/09/2009 - 18:39
    +1

    Why not, its always worth a try. if there are few ports available, they will try and convert you.

    Also have a look at exetel, tpg are both good value

  • inherentchoice on 26/09/2009 - 18:44

    I don't think that TPG deal is bundled with phone?

    Anyway my suggestion is that you get the Exetel “Naked” ADSL 2 plan. For $55 a month with NO line rental you get 12GB+60GB downloads and 100 free VOIP calls to national wire line numbers, or pay an extra $10 per month for 24GB+60GB.

    Pretty sure mobile calls are only 22c / min, and if you manage to make more than 100 calls to landlines they’re only 10c each untimed.

    I’ve had this deal for a year now with no problems. It does remove your landline, but since you get a VOIP account with a direct indial number (which is a local telephone number people can call you on) you just need a decent modem+router and a VOIP box like the LinkSYS PAP2T that you plug your old phone into.

    The other thing is to check out the Broadband Choice tool http://bc.whirlpool.net.au

  • bluedufflecoat on 26/09/2009 - 21:25

    Thanks guys… really good tips!! Keep them coming and I will keep looking around where you're pointing.

  • kcyw on 26/09/2009 - 22:48

    For service and reliability comparison, try:

    http://whirlpool.net.au/survey/2008/

    You can check which ISP is available in your area and distance to exchange with this site.

    http://www.adsl2exchanges.com.au/

    Exetel is cheap although you got to know how to fix problems from what I've read.

    iiNet is probably a safe choice.

  • StewBalls on 27/09/2009 - 04:50
    +1

    It depends what you need from your ISP amelyn? Examine your usage patterns, and what kind of account you really need. Some ISPs are now offering user pays or pay as you go type systems that work out better for some light bandwidth users than traditional contract arrangements! ;)

    If you need full technical support to setup basic networking/email services etc then you may need to go for one of the "full service" ISPs like Internode or iiNet; but if you're even mildly tech savvy then you'll get much better bang for buck out of the "budget" ISPs, ie Exetel! ;)

    Check out Broadband Choice at Whirlpool (as mentioned previously) & use their tools to help you not only find which ISPs are servicing your area, and what they can provide at your exchange; but also their Plan Finder to narrow the search! ;)

    My personal recommendations are either Internode or iiNet for outstanding customer service; or my own current ISP Exetel for sheer value for money internet AND phone plans! ;)

    • bluedufflecoat on 30/09/2009 - 20:07

      Well, at the moment we make do with 12GB… sometimes we do go over though. I prefer getting shaped than suddenly getting hit by a massive bill for exceeding our quota.

      On a scale of 1-10 for mildly tech savvy, I think I'm at about 4.5. :) Somewhat tech savvy but the internet setups don't come to me that naturally… struggle less with mobile phones compared to the internet connectivity stuff.

  • ESEMCE on 30/09/2009 - 08:36
    +1

    Call Telstra and tell them you're moving.. see if you can get onto the Bigpond Cable Liberty plan (I think it's called), one of my mates is on it, $60/month 12Gb Cable and landline phone (via cable, no line rental) with included calls.
    When he called me to ask if it was a good deal (He had a door-knocker come and leave him info), I asked him all the "loophole" questions I could think of..
    There's no honeymoon rate (ie 12 months at $60 then 3 years at $120)
    it's not time restricted (he's been on the same 12 month contract for the past 2 years now)
    12 month minimum contract
    Installation and modem were free (you already have both anyway)

    Damn good deal you don't expect to get from Telstra!

    Steer clear of TPG is my recommendation. Exetel sound good and have a good reputation, as do aaNet and WestNet. Internode is supposedly the cream of the crop, but you pay a bit extra. I'm with Adam, but it's SA/NT only..

    And make sure you can actually get ADSL2+ before cancelling your cable.. ADSL1 is freaking expensive (I should know, it's my only option!). I pay $65/month for "8mbps" (in reality 2.5mbps) and 10Gb+10Gb (peak/off-peak).
    If I could get cable at $70/month 12Gb total I'd do that but Foxtel cable doesn't run down my street (runs down streets all around me just not mine (possibly because of the park, therefore it passes less houses and isn't viable), the speed is worth the extra $5 to me!
    Bring on the NBN!!

    • bluedufflecoat on 30/09/2009 - 20:04

      For a while there… I was wondering what you were going on about!

      Why did you say to avoid TPG?

  • aldog on 30/09/2009 - 20:57

    broadbandchoice.com.au

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