How to find a cable connection

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  Diji1 on 23/12/2015 - 13:22

  +1

  AFAIK cable as it is in AU exists in 3 forms: Telstra, Optus and NBN.

  If you are in an area that does not have NBN connections then you are one of the first two and you cannot get one where the other is available (because they each laid and own their own cable networks).

  In order to find out you can go to the relevant websites of Telstra and Optus and enter your address. If it's not there you can try some other addresses on the same street to be certain.

  In the event that the cable is on your street but your address is not in the database if it's Telstra you can call them up, keep repeating "I want a commercial quote to recieve cable internet at my address" regardless of anything that is said by them and after 20 minutes someone will go "OK so you want a commercial quote" … as far as I can work out all this does is get them to make your address available on the system so you can then make an order. If it's Optus I guess you just call them and explain that the cable is on your street and you want to be conencted to it, never done it with Optus.

  If you do have NBN then somehow everyone can sell the cable service (as compared to just Telstra or Optus) but I don't know for sure how this works.

  Not sure what you mean by stationary modem … isn't that just a normal modem that's staying still?

  • 

    Jebediah_Kerman on 23/12/2015 - 13:42

    Thanks for the reply!

    When I do availability checks with most ISPs only adsl is shown.No Cable.

    On a side topic, after talking to a few they say they don't have a connection available at the exchange. Only Telstra seems to be able to service my address.

    A few forums have said that coverage checks often don't show cable connections. I thought if you have a cable connection for foxtel it can be used for internet also.

    Since I do not have a dish, I'm thinking I must have a cable connection unless I am running of a neighbors dish. I was hoping someone might know if the fox sat box is different to the cable box.

    In the 4G modem comment: all available products i have seen are pocket sized battery powered portable devices. I am looking for a device intended for use at a house (ie. Not portable). I am thinking this device will have external antennas (and a sim card slot) and be better suited to host a home network without separate router.

    • 

      ESEMCE on 23/12/2015 - 13:44

      Telstra or Optus are the only ISP's that supply over Cable.

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    ESEMCE on 23/12/2015 - 13:44

    NBN fibre is different to Optus and Telstra HFC Cable.
    NBN have negotiated to buy the HFC Cable from Optus and Telstra but that won't actually happen until 2018.

    OP it's pretty easy to spot HFC cable (unless you're in one of the rare areas where they put it underground).
    It's a thick, 2cm (guessing) diameter grey cable hanging 3m or so below the power lines.

    As Diji1 suggests, the best way to check is to call Telstra! and if they can't help you, Optus.

    You can buy modems with USB ports that support USB modems, but the support is a bit of a hack in my experience. It's a bit flaky.
    http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/3g-comp-list/?model=tl-mr3…
    http://www.tp-link.com.au/support/3g-comp-list/?model=TD-W89…

    Dovado also make modems with a SIM slot which should be more reliable, but they're really expensive!
    https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/dovado-tiny-micro-3g-4…
    https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/dovado-pro-worlds-fast…

    • 

      Jebediah_Kerman on 23/12/2015 - 13:49

      Have I been incorrect in thining that the same cable that services foxtel is the same cable that can service Internet?

      I am aware of modem-routers that can have a usb 4g/3g modem plugged in.

      I am wondering if any routers designed for home use have a 4g capacity and a sim slot. I anticipate the benefits would be a more reliable constant connection and external antenna connection.

      Edit: thanks for the additional info on davado modems with external antennas.

      • 

        ESEMCE on 23/12/2015 - 14:12

        You are correct that Foxtel Cable is the same as Telstra Cable or Optus Cable.

        The Dovado modems are what you are enquiring about..

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  2jzzzz on 23/12/2015 - 13:33

  I wouldn't rely on their online tool either. Optus website said I couldn't get Optus cable yet I had a box outside. Called them and I could get it.

  • 

    Jebediah_Kerman on 23/12/2015 - 13:44

    I have spoken to Telstra about cable, but not optus.

    I know their phone/adsl network is separate. Do they also have separate abilities to service a cable connection?

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  Davo1111 on 23/12/2015 - 13:47

  +1

  speak to others in the street, ask if their tv (fox/optus) is cable or satellite. Given the fact they have satellite dishes and no thick cable outside, probably suggests it's satellite only.

  Bonus Question: does a stationary 4g modem exist? If I stick with 4g I'd like decent modem for our home but all 4g modems seem to be gear towards portable.

  yes, there are wireless services, like vivid, but they dont get good reviews. They also run on a different frequency than 4G.

  Pretty sure Optus has a 4G home deal. It's just a huwai 4g modem without a battery. They're all pretty much the same anyway.

  • 

    Jebediah_Kerman on 23/12/2015 - 14:02

    I am in a gated community.

    Ther are three rows of town houses running east to west. In the first first two which are closest to the street, most have dishes pointing north. In the third row where I am, there are no dishes. We are fairly close to a road running behind our town houses

    We have foxtel which I assume must be cable since there is no dish. I thought that must mean we could get internet through the same connection.

    My 4g is through Vodafone. I see they sell a huweai 4g cube thingo that is AC powered. My intuition is that a better 4g product for home usee
    With external antennas would be available. Perhaps my intuition is incorrect though.