Broadband costs and performance in OZ?

[Mobsta]

My mum was over recently, and said she was paying $110 per month. I know she asks family not to send her junk as it eats into her monthly allowance. Not sure what package she has (I've asked her to find out) but the price/performance sounds pretty lame, despite the fact the BB there isn't as good as here, praps due to prices of cabling such a large continent.

Does anyone have examples of what amount of money should buy what level of performance? She is in(near) Brisbane if that makes any difference.

[Bibbs]

I use Vivid Wireless, which is BB over the air. I assume it uses a 4G connection.

We've got unlimited data, and unlimited calls (to 18 countries or something).

The calls are done over VOIP.

It's good, if you are in a signal area. Sign up for 2 years and I think the harware is free.

http://www.vividwireless.com.au/home

[motomk]

Place to look it all up is http://whirlpool.net.au/
Personally I use Internode, customer service has been very good.

[Mobsta]

I think my mother is on a 2GB package. She says internet speeds are known to be poor in OZ, generally... and she gets downgraded to 64kbps (or so I think, based on what Ive read) after using her 2 gigs. She doesnt go on the net much, and its an extra $30 for more data per month.

Post inspired by her desire to own an iphone, which brought wifi (which she doesnt have) into the equation.

Thanks for the replies.
Its frustrating trying to help her with these things, from the other side of the world.

[scottg1]

Hmmm. That sounds like Telstra!
Plenty of much better deals out there.
Like everyone else is saying, Whirlpool is your friend.

[Hasbeen]

I get 5 gig, plus another 5 gig at a reduced speed for A$49 per month. You don't have to watch too much U Tube to be over 5 gig

[dazzler916]

Hi,

I'm in Brisbane, QLD, and pay $109 a month for Cable broadband with 500G of downalods a month, plus line rental and unlimited national, local and mobile calls.
This is via Optus, and so far has been excellent.

Dazzler.

[ThePassenger]

Depends on what's available in the area. Our best option was Spin where we used to live. $90 and never gone over the limit. Really should change now we're in Sydney. I hear TPG is good at $60 inc line rental.

[scottg1]

It may be worth getting your Mum to give her ISP a nudge, see if they'll play the game with something better.
Just went from 12 gig to 50 without cost. But they won't do it if you don't ask.

[Mobsta]

scottg1 said:

It may be worth getting your Mum to give her ISP a nudge, see if they'll play the game with something better.
Just went from 12 gig to 50 without cost. But they won't do it if you don't ask.

I wish I was there to do it for her. You might think of her as a speechless mouse who is quick to agree with whatever she is presented with. It's typical that she has what looks like the worst deal in town.

Appreciate the replies, thanks all. I'll see if I can get her to change over to something better next month.

[robm3]

Wow, that's not great!

Telstra does mine, it's 200gb a month, romps along with downloads at around 1mb per second (although I'm 1km from the Avalon Exchange) e.g. a movie takes around 12-15mins to download. I've yet to get even close to the monthly download limit.

Mine is all bundled in with Foxtel (top package @ $129), home phone and one mobile, and pay around $300 per month.


Just had a look online and their current package is $69 for 200GB but for your mother their 50GB for $49 is probably better value...


http://go.bigpond.com/broadband/?cid=ZBP_access_3_...