dinner-dash

who in australia provides broadband plans with a router, we have 3 children who will need a connection at the same time, so wireless is a must....... but not the dongle types.

Any ideas ?

wmoore

I know Optus and Telstra do them and I'm sure the others do too.

dinner-dash

do you mean the mobile broadband dongles....the ones you plug direct into laptop ? they keep dropping the connection. i mean the ones you plug into your home phone line and connect wireless to.

MillsyandtheTroop

Nearly all will provide hardware as part of the deal if you are willing to pay for it. Best do your homework and work out whether the ones that they sell you are any good. The heap of junk that I was 'forced' to buy from our provider is an example of how crap some of the routers can be - the only reason I have it is it was a condition of theirs to get their offer for VoIP. I would look at the actual plans first, look at what you need, what you can have in your area, the best deal etc. THEN look at hardware. At the end of the day, if they don't supply a router you can easily buy a decent one for a good price just like in the UK.

wardy2

we are waiting for a connection with AAPT but we are getting a router from them, as we will have the same problem so theres another one you can get them from.

dinner-dash

has anyone taken out a package with a modem and then gone out and purchased a router and connected that way.

billymacker

Just buy your own wireless modem router

dinner-dash

thanks.........who do you use for broadband. which package did you take

aussiedreamz

Most broadband suppliers give you a free modem in the offer, just go and buy a wireless router from your local electrical specialist it will work out much more cheaper, Netgear, D-link and Belkin would be the best recommendations. Be warned that broadband speeds in Australia are slow, it's called broadband here but has the speed of dial-up some days and that's just Brisbane CBD. Make sure your speed is a minimum of 1000kbps if your using a wireless router and if your whole family are going to surf everyday for a few hours at a time then you will need at least 3gb of data per month as providers slow you down once you exceed this limit or if they don't, will charge you extra for the privelage (read the smallprint first).....

mariandyok

We bought a Belkin modem/router and have an account with TPG, recommended by a felow expat. You get a 6 month contract. I have rang the help line and they went out of their way to help us. Customer servicewas excellent.

Andy

billymacker

with exetel, my plan is TL-CB 80gb per month, speed 8192 down 384 up, price $85 they do have plans alot cheaper link: http://www.exetel.com.au/a_plan_pricing_current.php

If you use agent code LITE804 in sign up you will get $15 credit.

DadAgain

buying your own wifi router is definately the way to go.

If you get one from your ISP theres always the danger that they'll provide it 'locked in' (not give you the admin password) and you wont be able to reconfigure it to your needs.

WiFi routers are cheap these days (I've got 2 old ones knocking around in a cupboard I'd just GIVE away to someone who asked nicely!) - You shoudlnt need to spend much more than $100 on one.

The_Pom_From_Aus

dinner-dash;

if you have Cat5e installed in each room you shall have NO problems at all, then all you need is a data switch to supply the cable to each room, you shall all have instant access to the internet.
you can go wireless however you must have security on there so stop people hacking your bandwidth.

Also wireless is affected by steel & heat also plasterboard at times you may find the connection may drop out frequently. Cat5e is very secure meaning no body can nick your bandwidth.

regards

aussiedreamz

I agree Cat5 is more secure but the cable is time consuming to run to every room in the house and is very expensive, my Netgear router in the UK could penetrate 9" brick walls with ease, modem/routers just have a tendency to drop out on their own they don't need the use of a wall or ceiling to do that, just a quick reboot and your up and running again....

Hutch

Many years trouble-shooting routers and modems and I've never once encountered a 'locked in' device. They all have administration passwords (as they should) but they're set by the manufacturers, not the ISPs. The passwords are all listed on the manufacturer's website or at the Whirlpool forums.

The 2.4Ghz frequency that most wi-fi routers use is incredibly crowded these days (most DECT phones, bluetooth, other nearby modems, TV senders etc). You're *far* better off spending a bit extra and getting a Wireless N device in the 5.8Ghz range.