Switching from ADSL2+ to 4G Broadband

LHarryMarcus on 12/04/2018 - 16:08

Hi All,

I figure there may be a few OzBargainers who have considered the following scenario……

In short, my ADSL is piss-poor [1 Mbps down / 0.5 Mbps up] with the NBN no where in sight for my area.

I've stumbled across the Optus Double Data 4GB Data only sim offer which is $70 per month for 200GB in total.

There doesn't seem to be any restrictions in this being used as a home internet solution and will no doubt be much faster than my current setup.

I'm also using between 100GB - 130GB per month, so should sit well within the data realms.

Questions for anyone with experience with this:

  • What's the best modem to get that I can slip this SIM into and that will connect with my TP-link AC1900 D9
  • are there any other watch outs I haven't thought about with this highly intelligent plan?

Thanks guys
Harry

Internet

Comments

  • dasher86 on 12/04/2018 - 16:29

    Where is your location?
    Unitiwireless might be a better option?

  • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2018 - 16:31
    +1

    I have a linksys at work using a 4g optus sim. Very happy with it.
    Sorry - don't know the model, but it is around 2-3 years old.

    Netgear make a modem that fits into any router.
    $200 from JB hifi.
    Better option if you have a high end router that you want to keep.

    The trap for young players is when Microsoft release an update and all the PCs start churning through data if you have not configured them to network share.
    This is a problem for me at work as I only have 10GB to 'share' and one rogue update takes me over my limit.
    Generally I turn updates off when I can remember.

    The other trap is to contact optus and make sure you cant sign up for anything by clicking on dodgy links in your browser.

    If you have any issues don't call optus - call the TIO. That's the only way you will get any action from optus.

  • djsweet on 12/04/2018 - 16:38
    +1

    I use the 200GB for $70 from Optus. Been on it for about a year (used to be 100GB). Works fine. We watch Netflix regularly - no issues.
    We just use a $50 wifi mobile modem from Officeworks. Had to take the modem back to be replaced twice, but apart from that its been smooth sailing.
    Just be careful you don't go over your data limit as it costs $10 per GB.

  • cheap-andrew on 12/04/2018 - 16:42
    +1

    I consider myself in the same boat. The NBN's HFC has added 6 - 9 months to the "planning" phase of the NBN in my area and I'm at the extreme length ADSL works at so my download speeds are also pretty terrible.

    I've also investigated using a 4G data sim and used prepaid with success. It's worth checking the coverage of your home- specifically for the provider your are considering and check the frequency of the near by towers. This will affect the speed you get.

    Eg Optus- 12/1Mbps in areas where you connect to our 2300MHz spectrum, up to 5/1Mbps in other areas.

    I see no reason why the SIM couldn't be used in other devices, but SIMs could be locked to devices. I'd ask and check. The Telstra prepaid worked in my device fine.

    Sorry no idea with modems / routers. I used a Cisco 4G HWIC in my Cisco router.

  • ausdday on 12/04/2018 - 16:48
    +4

    are there any other watch outs I haven't thought about with this highly intelligent plan?

    I would try to get a cheap/free Optus starter pack, pop in your phone/modem, and perform a speed test to determine the signal quality/speed in your area.

  • SharedSugar on 12/04/2018 - 17:06
    +1

    I am with the 200gb with Optus.

    Check coverage first it is not perfect.

    Works well for me. The speed is great and you can take it anywhere if you go somewhere on the weekend, work trip or holiday. It really is a nice thing to have.

    It is relaxing to be able to just watch some TV if you are stuck in the airport or something.

    Also they have unlimited streaming for some services through 4g tablets so that might be worth considering if you ever need to save some data.

    I have the Sim in my old phone.

    • FeRGan on 12/04/2018 - 18:43

      I believe the unlimited streaming for tablets is for Standard definition streams only.

  • evol on 12/04/2018 - 17:12
    +3

    I did the exact same last year and have zero regrets. Went from a max ADSL dl speed of 800kb/s to a max of 4.5MB/s depending on time of day. Upload speeds are ridiculous on 4G compared to ADSL and the cloud is actually usable now.

    Speeds largely depend on how close you live to a tower (https://oztowers.com.au/Home/Query) and if you can receive strong signal on the various Optus bands (700, 1800, 2300).

    700 and 1800 are great for uploads and the dl speeds will beat your ADSL connection easily. 2300 can have crazy fast dl speeds but you have to be very near to tower and have good line of sight. Uploads on 2300 not so great due to the signal method. Congestion can also be an issue depending on your tower. E.g. my speeds dip around 6-9pm but still much faster than ADSL.

    Modems to consider:

    1. Huawei E5186 modem that Optus sell. Good because you can download some tools from Whirlpool that will allow you to lock the modem to one of the above bands (so you can prioritise upload speed, dl speed, try and force 2300 etc) It allows 2 band carrier aggregation I think and has 4 LAN ports on it + wifi.

    2. Netgear AC900S modem that Optus sell. This one is portable but has 3 band carrier aggregation so theoretically will have faster speeds, as long as you have very strong signal. I think you can get a cradle for it which has LAN ports.

    Hope that helps!

  • Wally Simmonds on 12/04/2018 - 17:31

    I've got both - ADSL2+ (which actually gets pretty good speeds - 1.2MBs down on steam) and the Optus 100GB plan. I use the Optus link for my main work connection, and my ADSL2+ for everything else.

    If I had to ditch one I'm not sure what I'd go with. Optus is fine when it's working okay, but I have the E5186 and haven't been that impressed. It could be a faulty unit but I'm constantly having to reset it - I'm also about 500M away from Optus towers so don't think there's an issue there. I also have a work Optus sim (some corporate plan I don't manage) and get consistently good speeds with that, so I think its the E5186.

    I think if I could get 200GB I'd probably ditch the ADSL2+ plan as I don't really game that much anymore, and that's only area where I feel ADSL2+ is superior.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/04/2018 - 17:52
    +1

    I dunno how you’ve lived so long with such slow internet

  • idjces on 12/04/2018 - 19:30

    https://www.dlink.com.au/home-solutions/dwr-922-wireless-n30…

    If you want to spring for a full fledged 4g sim router

    I don't have experience to comment on a cheap modem to piggyback with

  • yolohobo on 12/04/2018 - 20:11

    I've done this, and in my experience the speeds are better, but the connection is flakier, and of course the quota is less.

    That said if you're currently syncing at 1 Mbps, it's probably worth making the change.

    I just use one of these USB modems plugged into my router, although I'm sure there are better options, and I only bought it because it was on sale for $15 at Officeworks.

    https://www.optus.com.au/shop/prepaid/mobile-broadband/usb/e…

  • brokenglish on 13/04/2018 - 10:22

    Please take note that you CANNOT port forward a 4G connection (with Telstra Business Postpaid you can request a static IP).

    At work I have ADSL2+ for backup, amaysim 4G for main usage, Telstra 4G prepaid for VOIP and UnitiWireless installed 2 weeks ago as an alternative for port forwarding (VPN etc) that is much faster than our ADSL2+.

    If you require no port forwarding, then your internet will get a homerun with 4G.

    Also take note, use the recommended modem from your provider.
    My Telstra SIM cant go beyond 10Mbps using the Huawei from Optus (even though it’s unlocked) and vice versa. Might be something to do with the band or something, maybe someone can enlighten me…

    But the generic router modem (non USB dongle) like TP-LINK MR200 is compatible for all SIMs that I’ve tested.
    Only hiccup you may have is that you may need to restart the 4G modem once a week/fortnight/month, this is random disconnection, happens to my Telstra and Optus 4G, with any modem.

  • HarryMarcus on 14/04/2018 - 22:32

    Thanks guys, some great feedback from the community as always.

    I've gone ahead and ordered the $70pm 200GB plan and an Archer MR200 modem. Fingers crossed this plays out positively, I'll keep the thread updated with how it all goes.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2018 - 00:10

      give vividwireless a go. My las message was deleted. Fair call.

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