Seems like a good deal if you can't get ADSL, or if you don't use much data. Should be faster than ADSL for most people. Not fixed to an address according to Optus FAQ so great for renters.
EDIT: Turns out the speeds are capped at 12 mbit, which really lowers the value compared to ADSL.
I'm in. Even if it halves in speed due to congestion, it will still be at least 3 times faster than my crappy ADSL.
My last speedtests gave me 3.6Mbit on ADSL, and 25Mbit on 4G. And we're not even on the map for NBN.
Wonder if they will ever go unlimited with this. $109 per month maybe?
For anyone who need to upload large files often, this is an excellent deal. I believe Optus wireless upload speed can easily reach 200KB/s - 1MB/s. Whereas ADSL upload speed is usually much slower for home use internet packages.
It can easily reach 40-50Mbps or in other words 6.25 MB/s and that's with the non category 6 modems (i.e. just an old 320u). I have had optus 4g as an ADSL replacement for years due to useless phone line quality in Perth Metro area - I'm 5km from the city centre and can't get ADSL. So this is a great plan for anyone in a similar situation. Will be even better when someone finds out how we can get the sim to work in another device.
I live in an area where all carriers have good coverage… I'm often out in the car, having to sit in a McDonalds or Hungry Jacks carpark to use their free Wi-Fi. (Mobile phone plans don't have enough download limit.) Is there a reason I can't use wireless internet in the car?
I live on a block that was subdivided a year or so ago. The service check is successful for the original block number, and neighbours either side, but not for my address… I have tried to apply in the Optus store and online without success. Any suggestions on who to contact for Optus to correct their system?
Great deal by the way. This is perfect for my situation where I have been waiting for a land line for ADSL since December 2014…
Give the block number as the address(?).
And this is what I don't understand about wireless internet - thus the reason for my question a couple of posts back /... What is stopping people saying they live somewhere they don't, get the service activated, then using it somewhere different!? I knew someone that had wireless years ago when ADSL wasn't yet available where they lived. It was just a USB dongle. So what's stopping people changing address, not notifying the company they've moved - or using it in a car even… It's not like there's a satellite dish that must be pointed in the same direction 24/7!?
Ok, I used Optus live chat to answer my own post/s. This might be interesting to some other people. However, it seems to contradict the gizmodo link. So someone doesn't know what they're on about - either people at that link, or, Optus.
Here's the transcript of an online chat session I just had:
Me: Can I use the Home Wireless Broadband away from my home? Where I live there's a strong signal everywhere, and I'd like to access the internet in my car. I realise it might drop out sometimes. But will the network know I'm not at my home address - and lock me out!?
Optus: No, if you could get the coverage in car you can access internet in there also.
Me: Thanks. Do I have to buy the modem/dongle, if I already own one?
Optus: You can go for the car kit which you can access in the car.
Me: Do you mean the kit that comes in the round yellow plastic can?
Optus: Yes, that's correct.
Me: Ok, thank you - so there are no restrictions to using it at a specific address - it's just I might find the service drops out in some areas. But as long as it works - I can use it away from home.
Optus: Yes, you are correct.
So… Do we know we really CAN use it in the car/city - away from your home address - or that we can NOT!?
I managed to get signed up using my neighbour as the service address, and my address for billing.
Slightly dodgey, but end of the day their computer system wasn't up to date. I am pretty happy having been without decent internet for nearly a year now.
@realfamilyman: speedtest.net test results 5.25Mbps down and 0.8Mbps up. I am in Brisbane connect om 1800Mhz.
Im almost 5km for exchange and only connect at 2.8mbit max adsl naked, there is no cable or nbn coming anytime soon. I just did a speed test with my samsung s5 on optus i got 50mbit down and 12.66 up 18ms ping, Im in Macquarie fields nsw. So tempting!!!!
Check out my Ookla Speedtest result. What's your speed? http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/1541296200
I get 27 mbit from my Nexus 5 on Vaya (Optus network) and 5.6 with this. Not sure why there is such a discrepancy.
*Speed slowed to 256kbps after 60GB usage ($80)Optusnet #TDD band 4G+
*versus bands 4G,3G : 1800 850 900: mobile voice, GooglePlay credit none/ standard 50,40,$30 Caps -
Early speed tests reporting 30-40 GB per 24hr window,weekend offpeak> FDD #VF
^Feb.-Aug 2015;
Fairly more relaxed 108GB per month for my own personal experience, which i found uploads capped about 2MBs ie 7GB perhour. 192hrs per month, however, I am just a one individual's usage. I totally get that a bigger 'household,' quite possibly five members to each, would demand x5 & now you at 540G. Wth no fancy 4k Netflix & things like that just standard.
The latest Optus would appear in contrast, a stationary so far non-road tested, product. No voice function/0Play store credit specialised modem & selected areas only allowed. (From memory older Vivid flatrate was also 80pm .)
Just a quick warning to anyone looking to sign up. It appears that Optus is currently limiting this service to 5mbps. See this comment for more information:
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/11/optus-is-selling-50gb-of-m…
Yeah pretty poor not to mention the throttled speed considering they advertise 4G Plus so loudly and proudly on the product page.
Further discussions here too: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2466059
Low speed. High price[modem]. Uninspiring quota. ~Classical optus
Yeah be warned everyone, just received mine today and it is only a slow 5/1Mbps like many others are reporting.
Disappointed with optus… I guess when it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
After calling technical support I now get 25/10Mbps. I hope it lasts.
Did you have to do much arguing to get them to increase your speed?
No, I just explained that it was much slower than I expected and that putting my phone SIM into the modem resulted in much faster speeds. They he changed something with the handshake on their end.
29Mbit in my speedtest this morning.
It's actually capped at at 12M/1M as per the website below.
http://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/home-broadband/networ…
There is no where else states this and the product has been advertised as a 4G plus service. 4G Plus normally gives me 70M where I live. I ordered this service and after finding there is a speed cap, I am sending this back.
This explains why my online gaming pings suck compared to hotspot to my Optus phone, or Bendigo Bank Telco that I was using previously :(
It is okay sometimes, but pretty regularly spikes to over 100 ms. I kind of expected it to be the same service. Oh well, at least I have decent quota.
I'm an optus cable customer, and I work from home in the evenings. At this stage I'd kill for 5/1mbs speeds in the evenings lol. Its unbearable.
Wow I didn't realise that there was such a whirlpool crossover here. Just read the giant whirlpool thread and there are some very similar posts. I'm looking at this and hoping that some other provider comes to the party, Vodafone would be good, but they would have to offer faster speeds, 5/1 really is too slow
Think this is WIMAX like what Vivid Wireless have, but with Vivid you can get unlimited for $79 a month
This deal is still open. Has anyone signed up for it? How's it going?
No coverage in most rural areas, which is where this sort of plan is most needed.
Very true - I'm almost on the edge of an Optus 4G signal area, but just miss out so no deal - have to stick with my Virgin MBB 18GB for $59mth I somehow managed to get a few years ago, and won't be upgrading anytime soon it seems.
Should put "4g Plus" in title.
Seems like there is different options for wireless broadband, that are incompatible with each other. I'm not by anyway a tech dude on this, just trying to understand my consumer choices………….
1, 4g WiMAX (capital cities only)
2, 4g Plus (this deal)
3, Wireless broadband NBN
4, 3g/4g "old skool" for us donglers