What Is The Cheapest Possible Home Internet Connection That Is Workable Long Term?

Lbenny2000 on 24/06/2024 - 20:41
Last edited 25/06/2024 - 11:15 by 1 other user

Hi all, the cost of living crisis is hitting me harder than ever with another rental increase.

I had already stopped streaming services other than Prime, but now am getting rid of that too. I wanted to know are there solutions that are cheaper than $65 per month for a slow NBN connection? It feels odd when a Felix sim card is unlimited - are there any other options that people know of which exist?

I am fine with a slow internet connection to [legally] download movies and stuff for later - but it seems like there aren't any plans that say are $10 a week or less?

I was thinking about just setting up a hotspot on my phone but it kills the battery and it is nice to have a constant internet connection, not always having to turn off and on again.

Thanks for your help in these trying times.

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • Hybroid on 24/06/2024 - 20:46
    +2

    Dodo 25 mbit is $48.50 for 6 months.

    You can find the cheapest plans here: https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/Guides/cheap-nbn-pla…

    • jv on 24/06/2024 - 22:40

      Keyword:

      That Is Workable

      I'd pay the extra $1.45 and go with Leaptel

      Also, Dodo is 25/5, Leaptel is 25/10

    • solidussnake on 25/06/2024 - 06:50

      Adsl2 speeds in 2024 how far we have come 😆

    • shaybisc on 25/06/2024 - 08:29
      +1

      The cheapest of those that pay Whistleout a fee.

  • AustriaBargain on 24/06/2024 - 20:59
    +1

    How much data do you use a month? Do you game online?

  • sumyungguy on 24/06/2024 - 21:00
    +2

    Any idea how much data you use? I support a couple of seniors with 4G modems/dongles and pre-paid annual SIM cards. If you need more data, I use Flip Connect 12/1 promo rate $39. If you feel it's too slow go up to 25/8 for $44.

    • benny2000 on 24/06/2024 - 21:06

      I would probably be at the end of needing something unlimited - the moment a few tv series and movies downloaded I would worry about being over. No gaming.

  • barge-in hunter on 24/06/2024 - 21:10
    +1

    Sorry to hear it’s hitting you so hard. NBN itself charges a reasonably high monthly fee to all resellers/retailers so it’s going to be difficult.

    A 4g enabled router will be the cheapest way to get reasonable internet; any with a “4g backup” will be fine, and they start as low as $20-30 on gumtree.

    Here is a list of the cheap 4g data only sims, used for just this purpose; https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/Guides/data-only-sim…

    • benny2000 on 24/06/2024 - 22:15
      +1

      Thanks so much - will check this out!

    • sumyungguy on 24/06/2024 - 22:24

      I've been using the Optus Sagemcom modems but the SIM slot is locked to Optus. I found an old Telstra-branded ZTE 4G dongle and got it unlocked for free, the only annoying thing is having to restart it periodically.

      • barge-in hunter on 25/06/2024 - 09:04
        +2

        Good call - pick your SIM provider first, then look for a router. If you end up on Optus or one of their resellers, I can also recommend the Optus Sagecom routers, especially with an extra/external antenna fitted if you want a better signal

        • sumyungguy on 25/06/2024 - 10:01
          +1

          I find the Sagemcom gateways are such a cheap and effective solution I try to find 365d Optus: Amaysim and Catch so far.

  • scrimshaw on 24/06/2024 - 21:42
    +4

    You can go churning from provider to provider every 6 months or so to keep the costs down by taking up New Customer Offers.

    I recently took up Optus NBN which will cost me $79/month, but this is offset by 30,000 FlyBuys Points which is worth $150 when redeemed. If I only stay for 3 months, that's $237 - $150 point redemption = $87 out of pocket for the 3 months of internet. There's also possible $108 cashback to take into account, but I suspect it may not pay out.

    subscribe to the NBN tag so you don't miss out the new customer offers. You can sometimes also stack cashback or referral benefits. You will be considered a new customer even if you go back to the same ISP after a certain period has passed, which is usually 6 or 12 months.

    Don't stick with one provider long term — not just with internet, but also things like energy providers and health insurance. They give you nothing for your loyalty, I would just leave as soon as your discounts are finished.

  • AngoraFish on 24/06/2024 - 21:57
    +2

    Cheaper and quicker if you live near a 5G tower. https://www.tpg.com.au/5g-home-broadband

  • Hirolol on 24/06/2024 - 22:17
    +1

    Surprised not to see Leaptel
    $50 for the first 6 months 25/10
    After six months call them up to extend discount

    https://leaptel.com.au/plans/?provider=nbn

  • ozwog05 on 24/06/2024 - 22:57

    Belong $35/100GB p/m Data SIM + Telstra 2nd or 3rd Gen Smart Modem

  • OMGJL on 25/06/2024 - 02:44

    get a ASUS Router (or any OpenWRT compatible router) with USB port, setup android usb tethering (find a old cheap doggy android phone), put in a Felix Sim card, $20 for the first 3 month with coupon. Buy another Felix SIM with your family member's name and use for another 3 month.

    hopefully you'll get better financially in 6 months time (or you have more names to register yet another felix sim)

    if you have a way to confirm your monthly data quota, and present it's not too high, you may able to buy a 2nd hand 4G router (or do the tethering like above), and start to use a Belong Mobile plan (not data plan) like this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/851989

    set it to the lowest monthly fee, and buy 700GB data for $45 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/265829511397

    you'll be set for the next 3 month. it's a burner number so it's easy to ditch it and buy another (or some other plan)

    good part is Belong don't have bill-shock, if you run out the data, you'll be limited to 1Mbps but you won't be cut offline or require to pay any outstanding fee, another $45 and off you go again.

    can also mix in with some other sim deals or cashback deals when it's cheap

    • Toph Beifong on 26/06/2024 - 01:47

      Would this work in a TP-link router with a USB port? Any advantages of using an Asus/OpenWRT router?

      • OMGJL on 26/06/2024 - 11:12

        usb tethering doesn't work with tplink default firmware, need to flash openwrt etc on it

  • shaybisc on 25/06/2024 - 07:16

    Flip - NBN 12 - $39 a month for 6 months then $52.90
    NBN 25 - $44 a month for 6 months then $58.90

    https://www.flipconnect.com.au/cheap-nbn-plans

  • altomic on 25/06/2024 - 08:28
    +3

    Do you live in a free standing house or unit? Talk to your neighbour about going halves? Combining $$ means better plan/better speeds. May need a repeater.

    Just an idea.

  • shaybisc on 25/06/2024 - 08:36
    +1

    How do you work that Belong data? You get the sim and activate it. Is that all that is necessary to get the data added by the ebay seller? No plan?

    Is it 100GB a month times 7? Is there an expiry date or length of time?

    • shaybisc on 25/06/2024 - 12:32

      The ebay seller tells me that you need to be on a Belong plan to get data rollover. So you get the 20GB $15 a month data plan I suppose.

      Edit - needs to be a mobile plan to roll over. So minimum cost $30 a month.

      • randomusername2017 on 25/06/2024 - 19:06

        Best value are the discounted $80 sim packs (ebay) and rotating the $20 referral credit… bank data from ebay according to requirements.

  • tamckinnon on 25/06/2024 - 08:53
    +1

    Do you know if your devices can see other wireless networks at home?

    Chat with a neighbour and see if you can work out a deal together. I used to share mine 10-years ago when I lived in a townhouse.

  • soan papdi on 25/06/2024 - 13:29

    Just landed: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/853119

    $20 off Per Month for The First 6 Months on All nbn Internet Plans @ MATE. So 25/10 will be $45/mo for 6 months

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