Optus Broadband

Optus is the next largest broadband internet service provider (ISP) in Australia following Telstra. Because of this many people compare it to Bigpond, the flagship of the giant Telstra ISP organisation. This has often been an unfair comparison because of the start Telstra had on all other ISPs in having an ownership monopoly over the copper wire network throughout the country. This means that unless a competing ISP was prepared to build its own network it had to buy usage rights off the big telco. Optus has gone about building much of its own network in the major cities, but is still reliant on Telstra in the rural areas. This is all about to change however as the Australian government is building a new fibre optic network throughout the nation which will be owned by the state through the National Broadband Network (NBN). Usage of the new, faster fibre optic network will be sold to the various ISPs to resell to their customers. When this is complete a fairer comparison between the two biggest telecommunications companies will be possible.

Optus Offer Broadband Plans in ADSL, ADSL2+, Wireless and Cable

Optus, in line with other ISPs offering internet connection to their customers, sell a large range of broadband internet plans and have become widely accepted in the community because of their competitive prices and wide high speed coverage. Today they offer broadband connections using ADSL, ADSL2+, wireless and cable. Which connection is most suitable for you will depend on the location that you want the connection to be made and the speed at which you want to receive and transmit your signal. This means that whether you will be satisfied with a slower and more affordable ADSL connection or demand the extremely fast cable with large data handling capacity, Optus will be able to handle your request.

It is hard to imagine a world without broadband internet now that our daily lives have become dependent on it. Especially when you think back to the not too distant past when you couldn’t make phone calls at the same time you were using your snail pace dial-up. Your biggest concern today is being able to get reliable information on what type of broadband connection is available where you either live or work. This can be done in the following ways:

• You must first find out what type of broadband is obtainable in your local area. If you live in a city or a large town you will most likely be able to connect to ADSL or ADSL2+. But this will also depend on whether your geographical location is hidden from the tower by hills or large buildings. The Optus website can be of great assistance in this regard.
• Your next move will be to make a decision on how much work you are going to put through your connection. If you are going to play online games, constantly be on Facebook or Twitter, or spend a lot of time viewing YouTube videos, you will require a faster broadband connection and a large data allowance. Something like, Optus 170GB Naked Broadband taken out over 24 months at $79.99 a month, that delivers ADSL2+ speeds.
• A person who is not so demanding but mainly needs a broadband connection for convenience to check emails now and again, and browse the internet on the odd occasion, would be happy to have a slower connection provided with ADSL and little data allowance, such as, Optus 120GB Naked Broadband only with a 24 month plan at $59.99 a month with a speed of 8 Mbps.
• If you run an online business from your home and use the internet constantly you would be better served with the Optus 200 GB Unlimited plus a home phone bundle. This plan will cost you $169.94 a month but is not limited by any contract expiry term and it delivers broadband speeds at ADSL2+ Mbps.

Buying Broadband on Cost Alone Can be a Mistake

Most people buy their broadband internet plans based on cost, but it is really the use you are going to subject your connection to that will ultimately determine your online satisfaction and enjoyment. The many plans available from Optus vary greatly but the thing to take note of is the faster the connection the higher the cost. Another thing to watch out for is that some plans that have a restricted data download amount will slow the broadband speed considerably when that limit is reached. Other more flexible plans are unlimited in their data usage but add the cost to your account when your limit is breached.

Choose Contracts Carefully

Contracts are another issue that are easy to sign up to when making the initial purchase but over time can be a drag, especially if you feel, down the track a bit, that you can get a better deal somewhere else. Many contracts are for two years and this means you will have to stick to that contract for 24 months or pay a cancellation fee to enable you to opt out. On the other hand agreements that don’t entail a contract term usually charge a set up fee. This means that if you have thought it through and you are happy to stay with Optus for the full term of the contract, this will be the cheapest way to go about it.

Related Resources

• Compare Optus 150GB Naked Broadband Plan: Broadband Compare
• Compare the Optus 200 GB Unlimited and Home Phone Bundle Broadband Plan
• Compare the Optus Mobile Broadband BYO 20 Plan
• Compare the Optus Mobile Broadband BYO 30 Plan
• Compare the Optus Mobile Broadband BYO 60 Plan
• Optus 120GB Naked Broadband Plan: Broadband Compare
• Optus Broadband Speeds