Going from Telstra Voice Service (FTTC) Only to nbn Data - Advice Please

BendBridge on 11/10/2020 - 11:37

I have been using Telstra landline phone since 1987. A few years ago, it was moved from copper wire to the nbn network and it costs me $31.95/month (Telstra Home Phone Basic Plan).

Now I am think of adding data service to the nbn connection. I am looking at Telstra's $80/month nbn 50 Standard Plus vs Vodafone's nbn 50 plan at $75/month.

Apart from the $5/month difference; unlike Telstra, Vodafone has no exit fees. Both offers $10/month off incentive for new customers - not sure if I am qualified for Telstra though.

I need advice from those who have had good or bad experiences with either telcos. Opinions about other nbn resellers are also welcomed.

Thanks.

Regards,
/Y.T.

Electrical & Electronics Broadband nbn

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Comments

  • woodg on 11/10/2020 - 11:46

    No exit fees with Telstra. You do have to pay out the modem if you leave before 24 months though, as you also do with Vodafone.

  • RockyRaccoon on 11/10/2020 - 11:49

    Depending on your age there is a seniors plan at westnet $40 a month that gives you 50GB of data per month and Voip service with free local and national calls (you can keep your existing number)

    https://www.westnet.com.au/internet-product/broadband/nbn/pl…

  • wombat81 on 11/10/2020 - 11:51
    -1

    With any new NBN plan, my advice is to never sign up to a contract. NBN RSPs vary greatly is the service they actually offer. Telstra has been guilty an many occasions of "overselling" their bandwidth resulting in slowdowns during peak times. It's quite an easy problem to solve for them, they just need to purchase additional CVC, but that costs them, so they often avoid it and blame NBN for the slowdowns.

    Anyway, the moral of the story is, don't go with an RSP that requires you to sign up to a contract. That way, if their service ends up being sub-par, you can switch to another one at any time without paying an exit fee. So if Telstra is going to charge you exit fees, put a line through them and look elsewhere.

    Also, be aware that there's absolutely no need to stick with the big telcos. All RSPs offer voice as well as data on NBN. There is no advantage, as such, going with a major telco.

    I've been though a few RSPs and I would recommend Aussie Broadband for a couple of reasons. Their help desk is in Australia and they are actually helpful. Really helpful. They also monitor bandwidth closely and are prepared to pay for extra CVC when needed, unlike a lot of other RSPs. Also, they don't require you to sign up to a contract. It's also easy to change you data limit month to month if need be. If you buy a modem through them, it's plug and play and ready to go.

    Finally, cheapest isn't best in the NBN world. Paying a little extra for good quality service is well worth considering.

    • kipps on 12/10/2020 - 08:50

      Telstra has advertised peak speeds the same as the plan speed. You have no basis to suggest Telstra has CVC congestion. Aussie Broadband has better service, yes, but Telstra and Aussie are very likely to have similar service except Telstra offers 4G backup.

      • eyeballz2770 on 12/10/2020 - 09:45

        Just don't use the 4G backup very often. We're still on ADSL2+ and had problems with slow speeds. Telstra sent 8 techs out, and only the last one was sensible enough to check the line with his device and pinpointed the exact place down the driveway where the line was damaged. He ended up replacing the line from the street to the house.

        That only took 9 months and our top speed was 300k during that time. We switched to the 4G backup every time our landline speed dropped below 75k. By the time the 8th tech turned up, our backup speed was worse than the landline and the tech confirmed we had been shaped.

        I'm still locked in to the modem contract and dreading making the switch to NBN because over 1/2 of our friends have serious dramas with their NBN service. Sadly, I'll have to do it by Jan 2021. The one thing that's good about Telstra is that they have an NBN satisfation guarantee.

        https://www.telstra.com.au/support/category/broadband/nbn/nb…

        The nbn satisfaction guarantee is our promise to you that if you’re not happy within 30 days of connecting your nbn services, you can cancel without paying early termination charges and we’ll refund your first monthly plan fee and any hardware repayment costs.

      • wombat81 on 12/10/2020 - 10:21

        I do have basis, from a number of people I've spoken to who use Telstra. You don't have to agree. If you think it doesn't happen, I'm sorry, but your head is in the sand.

  • Ruprect on 11/10/2020 - 12:04
    +1

    Something that you might consider is not combining your phone with your internet… Whilst it can seem convenient to have it all at the same provider it does tend to reduce your ability to change provider quickly or easily should you have a problem with your internet.

    I always recommend people go with one of the dedicated VOIP providers on the net because if you do decide to change Internet provider then the phone is not an issue that might hold you back. Bit like having non ISP email these days as well.

    Having said that, if you are wanting to keep it all together, take a look at Future Broadband. A small Perth based ISP that does Australia wide, has VOIP and can provide hardware that is all set up and ready to go.. just plug in in. They have a very good reputation and from my own experience over the past couple of years, completely drama free. They also have data banking internet plans, great if you save up data and then move to a cheaper plan for a few months.. using the data in the bank.

    They also have a special on a voip enabled modem at the moment, their web chat folk I'm sure will provide you with the details if you are interested.

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