Speeds are variable on the Optus 4G Mobile Network…
I was tempted, but doing a speed check in the off period in my area and it is only 12 MBPS. It is no good for anything in the modern Netflix world and home use. We are fooled by the pollis as NBN s***ks , 4g speeds are horrible and 5 G rollout is limited.
Feel like living in a third world country.
Telstra 4G speeds are good. NBN is luck of the draw.
4G. Title edited.
Speed
Speeds are variable on the Optus 4G Mobile Network and will
depend on a number of factors including congestion, location,
local conditions, hardware, software and general internet traffic
If you're within the 5G network I'm pretty sure Optus has an unlimited 5G plan at about $70 a month. 50MBPS satisfaction gurantee.
https://www.optus.com.au/broadband-nbn/5g-home-broadband/5g-…
As soon as 5G goes live in South Yarra I'm upgrading to this. Best $2 spent
Are we able to just get the SIM card and use our own 4G modem?
I went down that path, my recommendation is not to do it as they lock the SIMs to only work on their devices.
You can't actually put this sim into your ipad as an example. It won't work.
I had lots of Telstra devices lying around. Non of them worked.
Had to get their modem in the end.
Hope this helps someone so they don't have to go through what I went through.
Thank you!
Well, I've applied for the month to month service they were still trying to get me to buy their device I was a bit persistent and they let me go with the month to month plan without the router.
Bought one of gumtree for $10 - Huawei E5186 ( optus logo on it) and it worked perfectly for more than a year. Cancelled the service around a month ago as I now have access to NBN.
Nighthawk M1 (Telstra branded) worked fine for me in this case. Were your Telstra devices unlocked/using correct APN settings?
I think that's the problem with your Telstra modems, not Optus SIM.
I'm using the 200GB plan, usually with their Huawei modem. But sometimes, when on holidays, I still use that Optus SIM with a portable modem that I brought from oversea.
Yeah I am still on the 200GB plan as well but only because it aggregates wit the phones. This doesn't. It was super awesome for traveling and never had to worry about phone data … still not sure whether to change or not.
Interesting. I just bought the nighthawk m2 via telstra, and talked to optus about swapping. They said that my modem would work fine and would be faster. However, you still can’t sign onto their plan without buying a modem lol.
Edit: yeah, like Aryan12 said, I’ve been using a Belong Sim in my modem recently (ran out of data lol) and I had to change the apn settings. After that it worked fine.
I would recommend online live chat, just tell them you have the B818 Huawei modem as I did… Then manually adjust your M2 settings. Will be fine given its unlocked, which it should be.
Approved devices list (old post so doesn’t include the new B818 which is sold with this sim now)
https://yescrowd.optus.com.au/t5/Mobile/Optus-Wireless-Broad…
I went in store a while back and said I owned one of the approved devices already, so bought the sim only without contract.
Conditional YES,
1) The 4G modem must not be locked to another network.
2) You need to know how to change the Router APN settings to https://www.optus.com.au/for-you/support/answer?id=1379#APN_…. (NOTE: The Optus default modems have the settings preinstalled)
Lastly, I got it working on my own unlocked router. I can tell you the online support only knows how to tell you to reset your router, (I.e. reboot), and tell you to try it on another device and do the same thing again, then tell you that it is your router problem because it wasn’t their one. The answer is bullshit, because the online support doesn’t know what APN is. So if you can satisfy the two items on the list. Then it is good to go on a month-to-month plan without a contract.
Hi in my experience, you can use the 4G SIM with any unlocked or OPTUS phone. Only thing you have to Change the APN. I am using 4G SIM with cisco 4G router. There was a thread regarding this package in last December. Please check that you can get more information.
Hi tedibaba,
I tried to add a new APN to my unlocked mobile (both "connect" and "LTEBROADBAND") but none of them works.
Any specific APN settings I need to add to the profile?
Thanks!
Upon activation they'd stuffed something up for me… Was trying every combination of APN and nothing would work. I had Optus 4G metering well, data up/down arrows present but no internet connection. After they checked something had gone wrong in the activation process. Now yesinternet even works
@dantione: How did you figure out what was the problem before contacting Optus? Which modem are you using? Does your sim work in an unlocked mobile phone?
@ash7503: I had full 4G signal and data up/down arrows. This usually indicates that APN settings are correct. Then I asked them to explore activation.
The sim was a replacement, as TOLL lost mine. Went instore and new one was issued, presumably not activated properly.
I haven't tried in a phone as sim size differs to my device but provided ANY 4G Modem or phone is 1) unlocked/Optus branded 2) is in a reception area 3) has the correct APN settings - you should have no issues. Note I can't receive so much as a text message. This is purely data only. I ended up stuffing around with LTEBROADBAND APN which was much more involved - but in the end yesinternet [the most generic Optus APN] worked fine after they sorted activation problems.
As stated above, I'm using a Telstra Netgear Nighthawk M1. Typical speeds (suburban Gold Coast) are around 110/15 off peak and 50/7 peak. More than enough for me, as I live by myself and don't need the upload speed.
@ash7503: Currently just "yesinternet" APN. Like i said, i tried all the others. Once realising it was an optus issue i reverted back to yesinternet and it was fine. Definitely on their end.
@dantione: Are the settings in your M1 as follows?
Name Optus Internet
APN yesinternet
Authentication chap
Username optus
Password optus
PDP IPV4 & IPV6
PDP Roaming IPV4
In my M1, I have data up arrows present but no internet connection. I'm guessing optus stuffed up my activation (similar to yours).
Did you go in an optus shop to show them the no internet connection issue?
@ash7503: Username and password should be blank.
Name: Same as APN or your preferred name
APN: yesinternet OR internet
Proxy: Not set or leave blank
Port: Not set or leave blank
Username: Not set or leave blank
Password: Not set or leave blank
Server: Not set or leave blank
Home Page / MMSC: Not set or leave blank*
Primary / MMS Proxy: Not set or leave blank*
MMS Port: Not set or leave blank*
MMS Protocol (For Android): WAP 2.0
MCC: 505
MNC: 02
Auth Type: PAP (or CHAP with Mac OS-X)
APN Type: internet or leave blank*
@ash7503: I would not recommend taking the M1 instore, just message saying all your settings are correct (when you explore further) and can they look into the activation. If you take it instore they will see it's not an optus device and I doubt they'd help you.
@dantione: I could'nt see the following settings in the M1:
MMS Port: Not set or leave blank*
MMS Protocol (For Android): WAP 2.0
MCC: 505
MNC: 02
How and where can I message optus? Optus chat? I though I could take the sim in so the shop can test it on their in-store device. I rem the girls telling me they didnt have B818 modems in their shop.
@ash7503: If the option isnt there, just leabe it blank. I can send you an exact screenshot of my settings later if you like
@dantione: I've been told that Optus checked the imei of the modem connecting for these plans. If its not in their list, then there's no internet (regardless of the apn settings).
My only option seems to be get an optus modem. :-(
Thanks for all the help. Cheers :-)
Currently on the exact same plan using an unlocked Telstra Nighthawk M1 modem. Just had to edit APN settings.
Can I clarify what the APN settings are?
I've got this on a month to month contract. I talked to the Optus store and was able to get the plan outright without needing to buy a modem (I already had a vivid one, though I think its slower).
I was told though its hard to buy with the modem currently as a lot of people were buying it up due to working from home and not having a proper internet setup. The most annoying thing for me though is they did a credit check (which came back fine) but has dropped my credit score for one bank because I have a "check" next to my name.
Otherwise works fine for me, faster then my vivid wireless, getting about 20 to 30mbps
There is a new credit score system. it will improve overtime
Using this atm because I'm not living at home atm. Works great. Had to sign up for 24-month contract but there's no exit fees - pay the cost of the modem for the time remaining. The modem costs are $9/month which they credit you for each month you stay on it. So use it for a year then pay $9 x 12 months for example.
Pointless really to join the month by month plan cos you end up paying the modem cost upfront.
May not be pointless.
I joined month to month as I have an existing 4G modem.
Gives me flexibility to cancel.
But yet, go on a contract if you need a model.
I have been on this plan for two months month-to-month. Great speed and value. Got out of having to buy the modem through Optus live chat - just told them I had their same modem (Huawei B818) and they just sent sim only. No contract. I have a Netgear Nighthawk modem (Telstra unlocked) but they don't need to know that.
I have a Telstra Netgear Nighthawk but the sim wouldn't work in it. You will need a Optus branded modem.
Do you think it's locked? I'm currently using the exact plan on the same modem.
The Telstra M1 Nighthawk are all sold unlocked (I'd done some research beforehand on this),if so check your APN. Not sure about M2 version. Failing that, most Huawei devices are all sold unlocked, even if branded. I have about 4 others (2x usb dongles, 2x wifi modem- 1 each of optus telstra. They're all Huawei and all unlocked)
https://www.southernphone.com.au/Personal/Broadband-Services…
Shopback has 80% cashback. Don't nkow for how many months.
I signed up for this a week ago. works really well. extremely easy to set up
there are 2 ethernet ports at the back. I just plugged WiFi mesh host into one, Vodafone tv into another and it was all working, none of the home devices needed any reconfiguring
speed in South Melbourne varies between 35+ in peak times (I haven't figured out yet when those are) and 90+ mbps
most importantly upload speed is 10+ times faster than what I had with ADSL
however I think that Optus unlimited 5g for $70 is a better deal - if it's available at you address that is. not available for me yet
I thought I read on a previous thread that the awesome carrier aggregation of the B818 was pointless because this plan was speed limited at 12 down / 1 up (similar to the old vivid wireless setup). Going by your comment Astro, seems that’s not the case and the speeds are much better. Same for anyone else who recently signed up to this and got one of the 2 default optus modems?
Optus don’t do speed limits on their home wireless broadband now.
definitely no limit.
I just checked mine and got 47/16.
At times it is over 100 down.
I've had the B818 for about a month now in regional nsw. So far, so good!
Have been using this service for over 2 years instead of NBN. In the last 6 months it suffers more from congestion now than it used to - although that will be area specific. Has been pretty useless of late from 3-6pm on weekdays (well until the schools were shut down). Outside of that works perfectly well. I bought a Huawei 525 modem from 2SG Wholesale at the time for about 170 bucks rather than take the contract offer.
I've experienced the same issue recently. Optus says there is no congestion but at certain times in peak it's operating 1 to 2 Mbps. I've had it for 18 months and normally it was 40 to 50 Mbps.
Local shop says they sold 50,000 devices in last 30 days leading to too many people on the network.
Whatever the issue it's currently too slow.
From 8am - 5pm , the connection speed for optus 4G Wireless Broadband in my area is 1-2Mbps. I have called the support line/message apps … no reply .
WFH
My optus wireless broad band 313GB not adequate for my family.
I headed to the optus shopt Friday to sign up 500GB plan, after one night test( 3rd April, heavy rain Melbourne).
The new plan not as good as my optus wireless broadband. Slower and more often lost connection. My moderm is Netgear AC800s plus Netgear DC112A craddle router.
It is month by month without taking Huawei moderm, it is 68 bucks monthly. No problem not taking Huawei moderm from side of salesperson, he just asked what moderm do you have? After he got the answer of Netgear AC800S. No more marketing strategy/skill any more for sale the moderm.
Salesperson of Optus told me that the optus subsidied the fee of moderm for signing up 24 months plan. I was a little bit rush without ask him: if I do not take the moderm and siging up the 24 months plan, any further discount(though it should be $9 cheaper monthly through 24 months I am assuming).
I'm on the month-to-month plan and love it. Has anyone upgraded their Huawei B525 to the new B818 ? Curious if it will improve speeds (South Yarra - get around 30 down with the B525)
I am using B818. Brisbane speedtest right now is 50/26.
What settings do you use ?
Default settings, I didn't change anything.
Id spend money on an antenna over a new modem tbh
Much bigger gains
I tried two antennas already. The TS9 sockets on the back of the B525 are a joke. Even taped in, they don't seem to connect.
Shit ass speed, even with 11 dbi dual yagi rooftop antenna.
I regret siging up with optus 4g 24 month contract.
Have you tried changing the frequency in modem settings? There are two 4G frequencies there. One says 2300 mhz onlu and the other says no 2300 mhz. Try both and see which one works for you. Depends on signal congestion in your area. I had bad speeds recently and switched to no 2300 mhz and boy the speed i get is around 60 mbps peak times. Otger times around 80. Try your luck
Thanks I will give it a try
Tried "4G only no 2300mhz" and speeds collapsed to about 2mbps down. Reverting to "4G 2300mhz only" brought them back up to 25.
Yeah as I said, it really depends on signal congestion in your area. Try both settings in different times of the day.
@kiiitos: Apparently it does not just like how the auto mode of your camera always fails to take the best photo :)
You did check which direction your directional antenna should be pointing, right?
A couple of days after activating this service my speed collapsed to 1-2mbps. I was quite upset, especially because I created this deal and potentially got others to sign up. Tried your trick and have been getting 25mbps consistently.
In short, thank you good sir!
Pay the $150 odd dollars to get out of it and resell the modem.
I got a neg for saying the truth??
This was awesome back before I got NBN. Speeds was good, service was reliable, just the data limit sucks
Got my parents on this but the 200GB for $52 a month (they previously were doing 20% off until end of March), works great and was very easy to setup, even my dad managed. Clearly depends on your local coverage but they get better speeds than my FTTN.
Really pleased with this service. I'm in Mosman and the speeds are good and very stable. Never below 40mbps, typically about 50-60mbps down and 6-8mbps up. I'm using the old Huawei B525 router. My speeds right now - https://imgur.com/a/Ynro9p9
Does the price drop for people who are already on this plan or is it only new customers?
Been on this for about a year now, no complaints with the speed for browsing/netflix etc but probably not recommended for online gaming.
Wish there was a slightly larger plan though as $10 per 10GB if you go over 500GB, started working from home last month and paid for an extra $30.
Also an FYI guys, vivid wireless does not exist anymore, I got scammed by someone on gumtree who sold me the old vivid modem for $50.
So yah, this is what I ended up getting with the B818 modem.
excellent deal if you get good reception, i grabbed this last tuesday and the prepaid modem as i am working from home, barely get 3mbps on the modem and about 5mbps on my ipad pro, i live near merrylands and optus guy told me i lived in a good reception area, took it back and they got on average 10mbps and wouldnt help me as it worked fine to them and i needed to speak to optus online who are closed except for emergencies, cant call as closed, cant live chat as closed, cant make complaint as constantly errors, currenty have complaint with TIO so be aware
I was going to suggest contacting TIO…. in the meantime, try fiddling with the modem settings per Rimas advice above. Or look at getting an antenna. Good post about it here: https://ausdroid.net/2019/01/20/optus-4g-wireless-broadband-…
I am using Optus mobile broadband at home to connect to work(VPN). My speed test is 0.5-2Mbps download (test done from my home computer without VPN software installed), I reported this problem to optus since last week and finally I got a reply from optus technical support. After 1-2hours chat, I mention the word "VPN" and reply is "OPTUS does not support any VPN connection". My problem is not the VPN connection, it is the internet speed 0.5-2Mbps !:(
I have Optus Alcatel modem MW41, can I use it with this plan? ADSL is shit in my area.
Same pocket modem, couldn't get it to work. I will contact customer service on Monday, should work on optus's own modem even though it's modem from prepaid.
Was told no stock in Sydney, need to wait for a week or more.
Thanks, OP
Used to have Vivid Wireless which became Optus for 89$ a month.
Got the new SIM from Optus shop and cancelled old one.
Saving now 21$ a month with the same service …
Had mine for about a week. Top speed has been 233mb lowest speed has been 70mb during peak. Most of the time the speed is between 100-130mb. The only issue I have encountered is with the modem dropping connection all together and requiring a restart which sometimes happens a couple times a day.
That sucks, what about latencies - did you experience some drops when connection is up?
No drops in ping when connection is up. Ping to google DNS 8.8.8.8 average is 38ms
anyone else had any experience in the suburbs? Keen to see other peoples figures.
Can I get a portable modem to use with this? I travel a lot so it will be handy to have wifi on the go.
5g?