Sign up to any of Exetel's no lock-in nbn or Fibre Broadband Internet plans and you can get a free ZTE H268A Modem/Router. The only catch is that should you cancel your service within 6 months, we’ll charge you a $79 modem fee.
Here are the Modem/Router specifications:
https://files.exetel.com.au/modems/ZTE_ZXHN_H268A_Brochure_E…
Referrer gets 10% off per referral (up to $10/month per referral) for 6 months.
I have this router and had the same issue
I had to change the setting to select a wifi channel and not let it Auto switch
Since then I have had awesome wifi and no dropouts. It actually covers pretty much all my 500m2 block with perfect signal
This is how I got over 1000m2 coverage too.
on a 2.4G signal?
on a 2.4G signal?
yes
We had similar issues with the router's wifi coverage, it was poor.
I did try different channels but it made no perceivable difference.
Same
Enable SRA. see if the dropouts reduce.
That router is SHIIIIIIITE
Compared to other free modems?
Free High Speed AC1600 Wi-Fi Modem
Even this alone isn't a great deal
What part of "FREE" makes it a bad deal?
I'd rather the $79 (or $140) off for a 6 month commitment and not have to deal with this POS.
Or is it that you are aware how terrible these modems and that's why you are palming off stock?
You can sign up on a free setup/no lock-in plan and not take the free modem if you like.
@Glenn Ward: So basically what you're saying is:
Either have our shitty modem and pay for it if you don't stay for 6 months or
Don't take it and we'll offer absolutely no incentive to join or stay.
@pennypincher98: The incentive to join is the awesome Exetel network, high service performance and outstanding support in the unlikely event that you ever need it.
Or, if you want a high quality modem that enables plug-and-play setup and simple remote diagnostics, you can have that free of charge as opposed to $99 before.
@Glenn Ward: I'm amazed you managed to write two entire paragraphs and not say a single thing.
I'll offer some advice because I didn't come here to read marketing bullshit that everyone can see through. Are there other modems currently on your website and if so, you should consider giving them the same discount as this shitbox has been entitled to. Otherwise, it looks like you're just trying to get rid of them.
Edit: looks like you just have this one modem and even in the Q&As you're plugging it in everywhere… I guess if noone can access, it's smoother for those that don't use the assigned modem 😂 Great idea lol
"Free after 6 months on a no lock-in contract" is the same as "free with a 6 month contract".
Not really. A contract will impose an arbitrary early cancelation fee if you cancel early (without any/little material value to the customer). In our scenario we give you a modem for free and we only recover our modem cost if you leave early. Big difference.
Not really. You only get to keep the modem if you stay for 6 months, otherwise you have to pay for it.
You get the modem for free up front and after 6 months if you stay with Exetel for 6 months.
If you leave within 6 months we charge you $79 for the $140 value modem.
This is a good deal.
@Glenn Ward: Sorry mate, TheZTE H268A isnt valued anywhere near $140 by anyone other than Exetel. It's $79 at most and retails for a lot less at most places that still sell this outdated modem.
This is the same one you were giving away in early 2017 when I briefly joined Exetel and it had to be returned twice before I just bought my own and switched ISPs. Not to bad mouth Exetel in any way as this is purely about "the deal"
It's a cheap crappy modem that can be bought well under $79 outright brand new today elsewhere and still isn't worth anywhere near that, hence the downvote.
@Freezies: Exetel is the only Australian importer/seller of the ZTE H268A with firmware and configuration specifically set-up for NBN requirements.
You may be able to purchase on the secondhand market, but Exetel is the only seller of new units in Australia.
$140 value modem
You must view the Ozbargain community as a joke making such statements.
Maybe you've just drunk too much Exetel kool-aid and are no longer able to be objective.
Have you contacted our support team to diagnose the issue (13 39 38)? Maybe you have local Wi-Fi interference or the modem is not optimally positioned in your home?
There are many resources on the internet to help you get better Wi-Fi results in your home:
https://www1.nbnco.com.au/learn/optimisation
https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/optimisation/wi-fi
https://www.nbnco.com.au/blog/connected-homes/how-to-get-the…
This device meets all of the industry standards of LAN/WAN/Wi-Fi performance and, importantly, is registered with nbn to fully meet their technical and performance specifications. We have over 100,000+ happy customers with this device to date with a very low issue/failure rate.
NBN plans these days even on the NBN50 is crazy expensive. i got lucky whn i signed up for $59.99 for exetel's NBN50 unlimited. that plan all over is now $80. other providers have the 1st 6 months at a $20 disc, thn full price later. this was 1.5 years ago… shouldnt broadbands get cheaper with time??
We are one of the highest performing NBN providers:
https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Measuring%20Broadband%2…
"shouldnt broadbands get cheaper with time??"
The whole industry wishes this was the case:
https://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/networking/ar…
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/vocus-joins-vodafone-in-wanti…
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/c…
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-01/telcos-cry-foul-over-…
Unfortunately, the choice (with the current nbn cost model) is High Performance, Low Price or Great Support - pick two.
the choice (with the current nbn cost model) is High Performance, Low Price or Great Support - pick two.
You've boasted about your high performance and by running a deal you must think your prices are competitive. Hence that leaves great support out which is 100% true. I appreciate your honesty here.
I can tell by your handle what you appreciate the most.
Our offer is "High Performance + Great Support" with a price that is competitive when compared to the Tier 1 providers and some/most of the Tier 2's - but offering superior performance and support than most/all the Tier 2's and definitely the Tier 3's.
With the free modem, the value equation becomes a little better for a lot of prospective customers - especially those that appreciate the plug-and-play convenience of the modem and the excellent remote support we can provide non-tech-savy customers if they have problems.
I don't deny we aren't the absolute cheapest in the market - but we have seen what happens to them in the past…. you can't sell dollar for 99c and hope to make up the difference in sales volume…
I can tell by your handle what you appreciate the most.
Really? The fact I'm on a community forum for sourcing the cheapest deals available didn't give it away?
I always thought I'd trade customer service for price any day but Exetel changed my mind on that. You used to have great prices and shit service. Now you've increased your prices and your customer support hasn't improved.
@pennypincher98: Our customer service has been constantly improving and now our NPS equals or surpasses the 'best' in the market.
Yeah, I signed up to that offer back then as well. Unfortunately, they increased my monthly charge by $6 in October.
I have one of these with exetel and this router is alright for basic home use, nothing too fancy. Only thing i dont like about exetel is contacting them its a nightmare
True exetel style.
I second the above comment that the router is just pure crap. Moreover, no USB support. They have disabled the USB as they worry that you may jailbreak the router.
The USB supports 4G USB modems for backup and Samba HDD's quite well.
You can opt not to have it when you sign up too if you'd prefer to limit eWaste.
You can opt not to have it when you sign up
So, what's the deal then? Just an advertisement?
The "deal" is the free modem
How's the ewaste limited ? If a customer doesn't opt for your router, he'd buy it from elsewhere.
Moreover, seriously OP, samba ! How many of your customers are on Linux? and how many of them are programming literature. Get your facts right. Customers need something which is easy to plug and play.
@mynameisborat: Samba is a free implementation of SMB file sharing and is compatible with Windows. This is a standard feature on most modems and will work with both windows, Mac PCs and Android with a third party file manager.
Or just get it for free from us!
@Glenn Ward: Why not give a better modem which is truly customisable. At least you should be offering a host of routers and give the customer the choice to upgrade at a nominal price. By doing so, you regain customer loyalty and satisfaction.
@mynameisborat: We prefer a high quality/performance standardised (and NBN registered) modem to ensure the highest level of service performance and supportability.
Our approach might not be for everyone, which is fine, but 90-95% of customers just prefer a simple plug-and-play internet experience and move on with their life - and if a problem arrises, their supplier can fix it quickly and efficiently and with the least amount of hassle - that's what we're about.
Is this offer available for existing customers as well?
New customers only, sorry.
Thanks for confirming.
never. why would a company do ANYTHING for customers when they already have your money.
Yep, a lot of companies miss rewarding loyal customers until they leave and then it's too late. You should never be penalised and have worse options than a new customer.
yep, 100 percent. there's always offers for "NEW" customers, but whenever you ask to change your rates to a cheaper one, or ask for a bonus that IS BEING GIVEN to new customers, you always get told "new customers only"
all ISP's are (profanity). Loyalty means nothing.
For existing customers -> We continue to invest in a high performance un-congested network and ensure we have adequate degree qualified support engineers to help our customers if they ever have issues who can be contacted easily and without long queues or bot/digital filter/attendants like so many other ISP's who are cutting investment/costs.
We are not insatiably pursuing growth with massive and unsustainable discounts which come at the cost of service performance/reliability or support team staffing - all to the benefit of existing customers.
This benefits new and existing customers.
How do Exetel reward exiting customers for their loyalty?
@sn00ze: I was just thinking the same when reading that.. A new customer benefits from them in the same way and they've never spent any money with them before joining!
@mrbargainz: Isn't Exetel just a broker like all other ISP's? The real work is done by the NBN company and not Exetel to be clear.
@mynameisborat: Every ISP invests in networking infrastructure, databases and software systems and the people to run it all. Plus people to sell, deliver and support its customers. The NBN part of the value chain is the simplest/standardised part of all. There can be very large differences in customer experience between ISP's offering the "same" 50M Unlimited NBN plan for the same price.
This is simply trash!
A non-technical friend had this modem and has dropouts.
These should be illegal. They're basically instant e-waste. There's a reason why op shops have piles of ISP provided modems.
I truly believe that if you want an unhappy life, then look no further…
Secondly, there are numerous reasons not to use a router provided by an ISP.
This site provides a summary: https://routersecurity.org/ISProuters.php
Dang, when did nbn get so expensive?
Im on an old grandfathered plan with Swoop (was DCSI when I joined) for 60 with 50/20 and one terabyte a month. And thats the utmost I can afford so Id have to get crap now.
Speeds got WAY better for me recently, wonder if that has anything to do with it.
I use to get a max of 44Mbps and now Im getting 49.5. I use to be lucky to get a download speed of 1.5megabytes for a single thread to my torrent box in france and about 5 for multi threaded and now Im getting 6 to 6.1 on a single thread!
FYI, I have this modem from when I signed up to Exetel ADSL and using it on my NBN plan currently and the wifi coverage is horrendous. Also, get a lot of dropouts even though LAN connectivity is much more stable so definitely not the ISP issue.