Home > The Starting Point to Comparing Broadband

Compare

The Starting Point to Comparing Broadband

Posted June 5th, 2012 and last modified July 25th, 2012

Get Advice On Comparing Broadband Plans to Find the One to Suit Your Needs

Sample Image

When buying broadband internet there are six different types for you to choose from. The decision you finally make will be to choose the one that best suits your individual lifestyle. For this reason many people choose more than one. Depending on where they are at the time and what kind of use they are putting their broadband connection to. In some cases you mightn't have much of a choice, as a lot depends on the geography surrounding your location, whether you live in a rural or urban area and how far you are from either a mobile tower or the local telephone exchange. For this reason we'll go through the various types, one by one:

Top Broadband Plans

ProviderPlanSpeedDataPrice
ClubTelco Club Unlimited MetroMOBILE24 Mbps / 1 Mbps
Unlimited
$40
Total min cost: $40		More Info
Vodafone 2GB + Pocket Wifi Pro 12 MonthMOBILE4 Mbps / 256 Kbps
2GB
$19
Total min cost: $300		Call1300 304 516orMore Info
Eftel Internet for Home ADSL2+ Metro UnlimitedADSL2+24 Mbps / 1 Mbps
Unlimited
$50
Total min cost: $1,200		More Info
TPG Super Chat Bundle UnlimitedMOBILE4 Mbps / 256 Kbps
Unlimited
$69.99
Total min cost: $1,789.71		More Info
  1. ADSL - To get it right from the very beginning ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. This means it is a technology that allows the transmission of data through the unused portions of copper wire used to carry telephone calls. This can be done because voice calls are carried within a frequency of 0KHz to 4KHz and data is carried between 26KHz and 1104KHz. By using a device known as a splitter you are able to divide your voice transmissions from your data transmissions at the one time. To receive ADSL you need a modem to translate the incoming data into something you can readily understand. It is a fast carrier of data and speeds of 256Kbps are not uncommon. ADSL is widely available throughout Australia and is far superior to dial-up internet services.
  1. ADSL2+ - This is the latest and fastest broadband technology currently available. At the present time it is only available in the largest population areas of Australia's major cities. ADSL2+ has doubled the amount of downstream bits a phone line is able to carry and this has resulted in speeds of 24Mbps being obtained in favourable circumstances. ADSL2+ broadband connections are even faster if multiple connections are made from the one telephone line. This means if you create your own local network at home you will be able to increase your downloading speed by double or even triple your normally fast downloading speeds. If you are contemplating upgrading to ADSL2+ you will have to check with your ISP beforehand to make sure it is available in your specific locality. It is all about speed and availability. If it is speed you are after and you are in a favourable locality, go for it, as you will receive a broadband connection that is more reliable and faster than any other broadband connection yet devised.
  1. Cable - Cable broadband uses the same route that brought cable TV to your home. You are able to use the same wires to bring you TV and your broadband connection at the same time. Even when you do there is still a lot of bandwidth left over for other uses. Cable broadband is therefore available wherever cable TV is available. If you haven't had a cable installed for TV you will have to have one put in place and this will incur an additional cost. However if you already have the cable installed it might be a good thing to take a look at it. Once again, if you live in a rural area, you will be disadvantaged in that you will be very lucky to have the infrastructure to back up cable technology. If you have doubts about cable access in your area it is advisable to ring either Optus or Telstra to see if it can be accessed from your location. Cable broadband therefore is limited but if it is available where you live it is definitely an option worth looking at. It will give you very high download speeds and you won't have to worry about things like telephone exchanges being updated or copper wire being able to carry the signal at the speeds you are aiming for.
  1. Mobile - People easily get confused about mobile and wireless broadband. This is probably because neither need wires for connecting your computer to the internet. Wireless internet allows you to access the internet around your home or in specific places like internet cafe's, airport lounges or known hot spots, without having to plug into any wires. This enables you to carry your laptop from room to room as long as you remain in range. This is all achieved through the use of a router. Mobile internet is far more flexible. The technology behind mobile broadband is the same used in mobile phones. 3G and 4G technology has revolutionised mobile broadband and speeds approaching that of ADSL are now quite obtainable in many places. Mobile broadband means freedom. No longer are you tied to your bulky PC either at home or in the office. You can now take your work with you on your laptop or notebook, wherever you may travel, as long as you are in range of your internet service providers coverage area, and you have an appropriate USB device to plug in and act as your modem. If you haven't got mobile broadband already you should seriously consider it as it will change your life as far as your usage of the internet is concerned.
  1. Naked broadband - This type of internet connection uses your telephone connection to your local exchange but it is entirely dedicated to your data usage not phone calls. Where ADSL and ADSL2+ share your telephone line for voice and data communication. Naked broadband takes over the whole line for data alone. The benefit behind choosing a naked connection is that you save on line rental and phone call costs. You are still able to make phone calls but they must go through your internet connection using a technology known as VoIP. Making phone calls in this way costs very little, in some cases they can even be free. If you don't rely on your telephone landline too much this is a great way to get broadband on the cheap.
  1. Wireless - Although many people refer to wireless as being WiFi and W-LAN networks, such as you find in private homes, offices or coffee shops, these connections are usually derived from an ADSL or ADSL2+ technology. Pure wireless broadband is actually long range internet provided through a satellite or broadcast from towers. This is a new technology that is still developing and can be useful for people wanting to download work when away from their home or office.

Enquire about The Starting Point to Comparing Broadband

Related Posts

  • Guide to Setting Up Wireless Network
    A lot has been written about setting up your own wireless network in your home, office or even for commercial WiFi purposes in your internet cafe, or other like hot spot, and it can be easy if you don't complicate the process by getting overly technical. All you need is a broadband connection, a modem, a computer and a router. If you are not all that technically minded but you can follow instructions to plug all these devices together, and, with a bit of the following advice to help with a little tweaking here and there, you will be up and running in no time.
  • Mobile Broadband Security
    There has been a huge rise in the number of consumers who make use of mobile broadband to access the internet. However, with the rise in the number of users, there has been a subsequent rise in the security threat to such internet usage. Hence, in order to protect themselves from unauthorized usage of their mobile broadband, consumers should take the necessary security measures so as to make their mobile broadband as secure as possible.
  • Tips To Avoid Being Capped By Your ISP
    Unknown to most broadband internet subscribers, the majority of the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Australia do have a policy wherein they can cap or throttle the internet services of a particular user for indulging in extremely heavy data usage on a regular basis. If you are a light to regular internet user and mainly use your broadband connection for emailing, browsing the web, or work related downloads, then you will perhaps never have reason to be capped or throttled by your ISP.
  • What is Fibre-Optic Broadband
    When broadband internet was first developed, existing telephone lines were used to deliver DSL broadband to homes and offices. As technology advanced, more and more ways of delivering broadband internet to the homes of customers were developed. One such way of providing broadband internet to people is known as Fibre-Optic Broadband.
  • Broadband Access Overseas
    Before the availability of 3G services that made mobile broadband possible, the only option for people to use their laptops or mobile phones to connect to the internet while they were on the move was finding a Wi-Fi hotspot or using a wireless internet network. However, with the availability of 3G technology, the use of mobile broadband has become extremely popular.
  • Switching Broadband Providers and Plans
  • Finding the right broadband where you live
    Your geographical location can have a big impact on your ability to get the most suitable broadband service for your needs. You should bear in mind that factors such the broadband technology available to you, the providers that service your area, and the broadband plans that you are able to get can all vary based on your area.
  • Mobile Broadband Deals
    When looking for the best mobile broadband deals it is important that you first give consideration to the type of use you are going to put your connection to. You are able to get some very cheap mobile broadband deals in the lower usage range than you can when you start downloading large files like that of movies, videos and internet games.
  • Best Broadband for Students
    Student broadband is simply a broadband deal that is made affordable for students. However, cheap is not necessarily the best choice for you. Here are the factors you need to consider when looking for a broadband for students.
  • How to Choose an ISP
    Choosing the right Internet Service Provider, or ISP, is an important part of signing up for internet services. With such a wide choice of providers now in operation, consumers will find it much easier to not only find the perfect provider for their needs but also the perfect plan.
  • Broadband Bundles
    It is possible in Australia to bundle all your communication devices with the one provider onto the one account. By doing this you save time when the monthly bill paying cycle comes around, it makes it easier to budget and in most cases you can negotiate substantial savings. Although in most cases, bundling requires to be locked in for a period of time; Negotiating carriers line rental, economically bundling mobile plans, and pay Tv with your broadband bundle may prove to be a sensible option to reduce costs.
  • Comparing Wireless Broadband
    Most consumers were extremely happy with the development of the 3G technology as it made it possible to receive wireless broadband with this technology. However, innovations in the internet market are constantly underway and more and more leading ISPs in Australia are getting ready to launch their 4G services for wireless broadband.till such time that these services are available to the general public, consumers should try to get as much as they can from their 3G wireless broadband; consumers need to choose the best wireless broadband that provides them with exactly what they need.
  • Changing Broadband Provider
    Changing your broadband provider is a right we need to keep as a means of making the internet service provider (ISP) industry competitive. In turn, it has to remain competitive so that prices in delivering the service never get out of hand. In this way it is much the same as being able to take your mortgage from one bank, to another that offers a lower interest rate. The days of remaining loyal in business have long gone and this loyalty has been replaced by consumers being more aware of what is, or is not, a good deal. Before you make up your mind in changing your broadband provider you must make sure you are in the position to do so and that you will benefit from the change.
  • Benefit of Broadband Bundles
    When you talk about obtaining a cheap broadband plan your thoughts will have to go to broadband bundles. It is by placing all your telecommunication requirements into the one basket that you can get yourself the best deal overall. Besides reducing fees, bundled plans also offer you the opportunity of being able to increase your download capacity. With on-going development on the National Broadband Network, the australian government will soon level the telecommunication competition playing field for the first time.
↑