High-Speed Short Term Internet Plan??

LAlderson on 27/11/2020 - 12:09
Last edited 27/11/2020 - 13:36

I'm intending to fly back from eastern states to WA for Christmas, and based on current rules, will need to quarantine in a suitable premise for 14 days. I'm also intending to work from home for those two weeks, which for my work, would require a fairly decent internet connection. Problem is, I think that will be lacking at the place where I intend to quarantine.

Interested to know if there are any good options for a short-term, high speed internet plan? I'm picturing some form of dongle, but not sure if there are options available that will perform better than simply hot-spotting from my phone (Optus, generally not ideal for work purposes).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Edit: Emphasis on the 'short-term' aspect. Only meant to cover me for a couple of weeks of work, so looking to avoid signing up to anything long term or with too high up-front costs (if possible).

Internet

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 27/11/2020 - 12:15

    a 5G broadband modem, will get you the speed you need with the flexibility of not needing to connect to fixed broadband.

    https://www.reviews.org/au/internet/5g-modems/
    https://www.optus.com.au/broadband-nbn/5g-home-broadband

    You'll need to check 5g coverage map before ordering.

    but otherwise just tethering to your phone with data SIM is easily the cheapest solution without any spend required for dongle or expensive LTE modem.

    • Miss B on 27/11/2020 - 12:58
      -1

      5G?😯

      But COVID.

    • Alderson on 27/11/2020 - 13:26

      Thanks for the suggestions!

      If I'm reading correctly, I'm looking at at least a few hundred $$ upfront to purchase any of the various 5G modem options on a 'month to month' plan? Not ideal, but I guess if that is the cheapest short term option to achieve acceptable speeds then I might need to consider it.

  • holdenmg on 27/11/2020 - 12:24
    +1

    Low risk states and territories
    (Less than 5 community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average — currently includes NSW and VIC)

    Before travelling to WA, complete a mandatory G2G PASS registration and declaration.
    You should wear a mask as directed.
    On arrival at Perth Airport, complete a health screening.
    Scan your G2G PASS and then verify you have suitable premises for self-quarantine.
    If you have suitable premises, enter self-quarantine for 14 days. If not, you will be directed to enter a Government-approved quarantine facility at your own expense for 14 days.
    You must present for a COVID-19 test on Day 11 if still in WA.
    The G2G Now app enables virtual check-ins during your quarantine once you have entered WA. Travellers from low risk states and territories are encouraged to download and use the app.
    https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/covid-communications/covi…

    • Alderson on 27/11/2020 - 13:38
      +1

      Thanks, useful info for others reading this too. I'm coming from NSW.

      Will be interesting to see if anything changes when these states achieve 28 days. Well in fact Vic has got there now, but still no update from WA…

  • hashtagbargain on 27/11/2020 - 13:07
    +1

    Is the address you are going to stay at provisioned on the NBN network? If yes, check out Launtel, they offer NBN connections on a daily basis. First week free + remember to use referral when signing up to get $25 credit.

    • Alderson on 27/11/2020 - 13:27

      I don't think it is but will double check this, thanks!

  • AndyC1 on 27/11/2020 - 13:25

    I would rule out 5G as you need to be in line of sight of a tower and be within 500 to 800 meters from the issues I have seen.
    As for 4G you could get a Beyond data sim from Woolies or Coles when it's on special and activate it when you get to WA as stop gap measure in your phone for a few days, make your phone a hot spot when required.
    When you get there have a look at the Aus Tower app on your phone to see what towers are near you and lookup the coverage maps for Telstra, Optus and Vodafone and then order a month to month data plan. Be aware that the optus plans of the following page only work with Optus branded dongles, https://www.optus.com.au/broadband-nbn/4g-home-internet/huaw…. The B818 is unlocked as I have it and tested it with Vodafone and Beyond (Telstra) without any issues, apart from vodafone speed sucks where I am.

    • Alderson on 27/11/2020 - 13:34

      Wasn't aware of that part regarding 5G, thanks. It's in a very small town in the south west, so I suspect that could be a problem.

      If I'm reading correctly, I'm starting to think that most of those dongles have a fairly hefty up-front fee for something that is only meant to cover me for a couple of weeks.

      Perhaps your suggestion of a 4G data sim for my phone is the best option. Given the location, guessing something like pre-paid Telstra sim could perform better than my current Optus plan. Will investigate. Cheers

      • dasher86 on 27/11/2020 - 14:02
        +2

        hotspot from an old mobile + get a prepaid kogan or catch sim if area works.

        • Muffinman01 on 27/11/2020 - 17:39

          +1 for the old phone, if you have one floating around it’s simple to throw a SIM in it for a couple of weeks and hotspot it rather than shelling out for a dongle

      • AndyC1 on 27/11/2020 - 15:12
        +1

        If you want a cheap dongle grab the weekly Woolies & Coles catalogs and also have a look at Auspost to see when they have the lower end dongles on special for 1/2 price. They also are sometimes half price at Target & Kmart & BIGW as well from time to time. Coles have a 4GX this week in NSW for $49, save $20

        If you want a cheap Telstra network data sim to use check out Beyond at Coles this week in NSW where they have a Belong 40GB sim for $20 and a Telstra 35GB sim for $20. Woolies have Lebara and Boost data sims on special this week in NSW.

        You can check out the existing towers at the town you will be going to on the https://www.rfnsa.com web site to see what towers are there and where they are in relation to where you will be staying.

  • crashloaded on 27/11/2020 - 17:05

    https://www.tangerinetelecom.com.au/mobile/wireless-broadban…

    no contract home wireless. I believe they use optus towers and i have the optus home wireless and it works well. But it might be too much trouble for your purpose.

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