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What’s the best and worst you’ve had with getting internet at home?
Catsmere · 27/04/2023 22:41
I’m in Geelong and use my phone’s hotspot because getting home broadband is waaaay too expensive and I only need it for my iPad. But Telstra’s signal here is dire! Two bars of 3G fercryinoutaloud and loses signal just sitting in my bedroom. It’s not as bad as in the wilds of Queensland, but it still sucks. No idea if Optus (known to a friend as ‘Opeless) or Vodafone’s networks would be any better.
What are your experiences, fellow downunderers?
Catsmere · 28/04/2023 01:40
I suspect you’re right.
Irks me that Woolworths use Telstra’s network, because otherwise they offer a good deal on their phone plans - 10% off the groceries every month is worth it when I only use them to get the monthly purchase of rather pricey cat litter.
wandawaves · 28/04/2023 03:14
I've actually just been googling about home internet; needing to upgrade, and unsure if I should go for nbn or 5G.
Coverage really depends on your area, and environment. I remember years ago I signed up to Vodafail after they checked coverage in my area was all good, got home... no coverage. I called them and complained because they had said I'd get coverage, and they said oh yes you do have coverage at your address... outdoors 🙄I said well how the heck does that work, do you seriously expect me to go and set up my desk and PC in the backyard?? Dickheads. Then I had to argue and argue to get the contract cancelled without a fee.
Telstra is usually great, but they're just so expensive. Optus is good in my area.
Catsmere · 28/04/2023 03:35
Vodafail! 😂
I had my first phone with them long ago because of the ads Michael Schumacher did for them.
Yeah, I was checking coverage in my area and theirs only lists “outdoor” - wtf??? If I’m going to sit somewhere other than my unit I might as well go into the community room and use their crappy wifi.
Telstra are morons as well as expensive. I just got a “congratulations, your account is in credit” email bill from them for an account that was closed and (supposedly) refunded weeks ago.
BananaBender · 28/04/2023 12:17
What about Starlink or whatever Elon Musk’s satellite internet is called. Great coverage in otherwise shitty areas apparently. Expensive though.
My daughter has a prepaid mobile SIM from Woolworths Mobile using the Telstra network. Works fine. I hate Telstra too but they have the best coverage and the mobile account gives me 10% off groceries twice a month. Once online and once in person. Do online first. It’s a handy little glitch that Woolies hasn’t fixed! You can also get the discount if you subscribe to Everyday Extras at Woolworths. $59/yr for the discount and extra Rewards points. Definitely worth it for me. They offer a one month free trial. It means between the Extras subscription and the mobile account I can get a 10% discount 4 times per month.
For home internet I have NBN through Aussie Broadband, which uses the Telstra network.
If you have a local community FB page or WhatsApp group or whatever, ask on there and find out who others use.
Catsmere · 29/04/2023 01:24
I just went over to Woolworths too! I don’t know why the coverage is so shite here, it’s even worse than when I was with Telstra, but it’s the same network! I have a refurbished iPhone XR, surely that isn’t worse at getting signal than an 8? 😟 I know so little about these things I wonder if I need a modem and router, even though I don’t have home broadband (let alone the NBN) or a PC, just to catch the flaming signal for my personal hotspot …
Catsmere · 29/04/2023 06:22
I was astonished when my phone started flipping over to 3G. I thought it had been killed off already.
Even Telstra have only a tiny section of one main road covered by 5G in my area. Pathetic. Opeless and Vodafail have even less. Nothing like living in a poorish suburb to get the big ignore!
wandawaves · 29/04/2023 12:01
Optus has 5G in some areas. I just signed up today! I haven't bothered to plug it in yet lol but the guy assured me it'll be great, it does have a minimum guaranteed speed (which is twice as fast as my 4G), and he said if it sucks I can bring it back within the month.
Catsmere · 29/04/2023 22:49
wandawaves · 29/04/2023 12:01
Optus has 5G in some areas. I just signed up today! I haven't bothered to plug it in yet lol but the guy assured me it'll be great, it does have a minimum guaranteed speed (which is twice as fast as my 4G), and he said if it sucks I can bring it back within the month.
Hope it goes well!
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