What are my internet options?

I have recently moved into a new house and want to get internet however I am unsure where to even start.

Nat, Cessnock

Hi Nat,

When it comes to internet these days you have a few choices. As the government is still unsure what is happening with the National Broadband Network, for the moment we are going to ignore that as an option.

The biggest deciding factor in what internet you go with will depend on how heavy a user you are. If you are constantly on the internet downloading movies and songs from iTunes your options will be different to a person who only wants to access Facebook or read emails a couple of times a week.

Wireless Using 3G or 4G

This is a completely wireless option. You don’t have the need for a phone line. It is the same method of getting the internet on your smartphone when you are out and about.

Generally you will get a sim card and a USB stick that plugs into your computer although you can get a modem so that you can use multiple devices at once.

Using 3G/4G is great for the casual user. It has a fairly low cost for low usage however if you are a heavy user then the costs will add up quickly.

The biggest drawback to 3G/4G is that it is what is called a shared medium. That means that everyone in your surrounding area is sharing the available bandwidth. What you will often see is that during heavy times your internet speed will drop. These periods often tend to start after and through the evening.

The other major point to lookout for is that most providers charge excess usage fees. If you go over your cap then you get charged a significant amount so you need to keep a close eye on how much you have used for the month. Telstra and Optus do have pre-paid plans that can help you avoid spending more than you want to.

ADSL/Broadband

ADSL is an always on connection. It uses your phone line to deliver internet from the Telstra Exchange to your modem.

With ADSL you will have a modem in your house that connects to your phone line. Most modems these days also include a wireless access point so you can connect your phone, tablet and laptop to it wirelessly.

ADSL is great for heavy users. Generally the price is reasonable if you need a large usage cap and most plans will slow your speed rather than charging excess usage fees.

One of the biggest issues with ADSL is that the speed you get will depend on how far you are from the Telstra exchange. The closer you live to the exchange the faster your internet will be.

You do need an active phone line for ADSL. If this is an issue for you then you can look at getting a Naked ADSL service.

Naked ADSL

Naked ADSL is the same as ADSL however you do not an active phone line.

You still need a phone line into your house however it does not have a dial tone and you can not use it to make calls.

Naked ADSL generally costs about $10 more per month than standard ADLS, however you do save $20 to $30 in line rental.

For your specific area you are best contacting a few Internet Service Providers (ISPs). They will be able to tell you what options are available to you. Some providers you might want to contact are:

Telstra – Often regarded as expensive over the last few years their pricing has come more into line with what others are charging. One of the big reasons with going with Telstra is bundling. You can get your phone, internet and Foxtel all on the one bill and often with a discount.

Optus – Similar to Telstra with the exception of getting Foxtel bundled onto your bill.

iiNet/Internode – Often regarded as a premium service. They are slightly more expensive than others however their customer service is second to none.

TPG – TPG is a low price provider. They provide services at a great price however often lack in the customer service department as they outsource it overseas.

I know we have provided a lot of information and without your address we can not provide specific information to you however I hope this at least points you in the right direction.