Router and NBN Questions and Recommendations - Brisbane

Tech and cars on 04/05/2018 - 09:23

I found out this week that I can get on the NBN!

It is a FTTN connection - so I am planning to start with this plan: 50/20 1000GB $60/month(telecube). If I am am bottle necked by my infrastructure (FTTP vs FTTN).. then I'll drop to a lower plan.

Is this a sensible approach? (appologies if I have not used the terminology correctly).

I am currently on a vividwireless $89 unlimited plan. It has been great for my usage but this NBN deal is cheaper and faster.

I will also need a router - any recommendations ? The vividwireless router has been sufficient for my needs. I simply want something stable, that doesn't over heat, can handle ~10 devices (tv, phones, pc's, maybe a few guests for internet streaming). I don't transfer any files between pc to pc/home network.

Located in Brisbane.

Thank you ozBargain community.

Internet

Comments

  • dazweeja on 04/05/2018 - 09:51
    +2

    Do you want a combined modem/router or separate devices? Do you need VOIP?

    Some info here: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2618758

    • Tech and cars on 04/05/2018 - 10:58

      Thank you - will have a look.

      I require a 2 in 1. Modem and Router in built would be ideal.

  • ESEMCE on 04/05/2018 - 10:02
    +2

    Telecube is a good place to start provided you have the skills to acquire and set up your own modem (you're going to need a modem by the way).
    The Telstra Gateway Max TG799vac from Gumtree is an excellent cheap choice for a modem - provided you don't need VoIP (it can be hacked to activate VoIP, but that's a differnet issue)
    It's not the greatest router in terms of features, but it has decent WiFi, is stable and the modem maintains a good balance between speed and stability.

    50/20 is a safe bet on FttN at least initially.
    I have maintained my 50/20 plan despite my line maxxing out at 32/9 as I value the Upload speed for Cloud storage upload.
    (FYI NBN 25/5 connections actually sync at 28/6 assuming your line can make those speeds)
    You need to make your own call as to whether it's worth the upgrade to a higher speed plan based on your actual needs and your line capabilities.
    If your line is disappointingly slow, and your internal phone line is ancient or has lots of extensions, then having your internal line replaced can dramatically improve speed.

    • Tech and cars on 04/05/2018 - 11:02

      Thank you!

      The line capabilities - is this in my house? Average cost of this upgrade?

      • ESEMCE on 04/05/2018 - 12:12
        +1

        The line capability is dependent on your full length of copper to the pillar and subsequently to the node including your internal line.
        Average cost of replacing the internal line is $200-300ish but will depend on your house and what you want done..

    • Magus on 05/05/2018 - 10:47
      +1

      Remember your home phone ports will no longer work with FTTN. You will have to decide how you want a land line. There are heaps of options. The default option is to use a vendor supplied Modem/Router/ATA all in one device and plug your phone in it.
      Nice simple, expensive and inconvenient.

      Remember don't count your chickens before they hatch! I think it was one in 3 houses had difficulties with getting a connection, sometimes running to years. My neighbour is now on 4G, waiting (still..) to get ADSL back as FTTN was not able to deliver 12Mbps OR stability. Line unusable since Aug17. At this rate he will get FTTC before rollback, and be the only one on the DPU.

      Fortunately the new estate at the end of the street is FTTP, so they will subsidise our FTTN/C connections.

  • Diji1 on 04/05/2018 - 10:59

    line maxxing out at 32/9

    Don't tell me - you use the Telstra Gateway Max TG799vac to achieve these amazing speeds.

    • ESEMCE on 04/05/2018 - 12:18

      Correct.
      The Telstra Modem uses one of the better VDSL chipsets currently available. The fact it's got a Telstra logo printed on the front doesn't necessarily make it a bad product.
      Using the Netgear NF10W initially supplied to me by Aussie Broadband I'd be syncing even lower. Switching to the Telstra modem boosted my connection speed by about 10% back in the day.

      The crap sync rate is solely due to the 800m shoddy copper between my pit and node and NBN's blase attitude to Customer Service.
      15 months ago I was syncing at 49/16, that suddenly dropped to 35/10 at which point I complained and NBN sent a tech out. He declared my line to be "working perfectly fine".
      Over the past 12 months or so, the damaged joint (or whetever cause the initial speed plummet) has further degraded to decrease my connectiopn to the current 32/9 rate.
      I have sporadic periods of losing sync a few times per day (usually 3-4, sometimes less) followed by prolonged periods of stability. In NBN land this is officially perfectly acceptable as is the fact I'm paying them for something they refuse to deliver.

    • Agret on 04/05/2018 - 12:54
      +1

      According to Finder they found the Telstra Gateway Max 2 had one of the best sync speeds

      https://www.finder.com.au/fttn-nbn-router-comparison

      • ESEMCE on 04/05/2018 - 12:56

        I'm just using the Modem, it's bridged to a far more capable router.

        • Agret on 04/05/2018 - 22:37

          Cool. I currently have a Fritz! Box which they found to have one of the slower sync speeds. I'm going to try and bridge a different modem to it.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join