Originally Posted by GarryP

I get by with 60GB pm - including downloads of TV, but not movies. Even if I watched and did more, 100GB should cover it.

SmartDNS and going direct to the source?

Have to say that I use the NowTV box and SmartDNS if I want to surf through the UK streams. You seem to only get a selection of programmes with the Foxtel offering - eg no Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell on BBC First.

See, there's your problem, turn it off when the super rugby starts.

Joking aside, sports is about the only good reason for foxtel, and only for sports nuts.

If you get a cheapy Mc Cheapo Optus phone before the end of the month (there are some real cheap heap'o'cr*ps out there) then you can get 3 months of Netflix for free (to test it out). SmartDNS and you can 'travel' to test out US/UK catalogues as well.

Personally I go with the ADSL bandwidth, NowTV for the UK TV, SmartDNS and selective other downloads via VPN, and Blu Ray disk postal rental for movies. Total ~$70 pm

Originally Posted by Beoz

I'm curious to see how much gigage do you guys get through a month especially with online TV?

I don't download movies or do gaming, but I do download and upload a lot of software for work. I've never really gone over 50GB per month, but some months, depending on how much work I do from home, I can be as low as 10GB. I've been looking at redoing my whole internet and cable TV thing.

Currently I'm on a 20GB TPG $40 per month plan and I have Foxtel for sports which comes equipped with the Entertainment pack junk for $50. So total spend for internet and TV right now is $90.

I need the Entertainment Pack junk for the wife's BBC channels so there's no escaping BBC First and UKTV.

As for Sports, well that can be a turn on turn off scenario depending what's on. I'm about to switch it off again when the Super Rugby finishes.

Will hook up Netflix too.

Options I can see.

a) Foxtel with apparently fast internet $115 per month

b) Optus $90 Fetch Tv + unlimited internet + 6 months free Netflix. $90 for first 6 months. $102 after 6 months. When Sport is on $152

c) Foxtel $50 and TPG 100GB $50 and Netflix $12 - Sports on $112, Sports off $62

So have I missed anything out there in the market place or any curve balls that should be taken into consideration.

What do you guys do?

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

We hit 300 gbs occasionaly, I have 2 adult and 1 teenager and the wife and I all using our 600 Gb per month IInet naked plan. 112 bucks per month includes netflix and fetch tv and all phone calls.... except oseas. Used 250 gbs this month and the account resets in 7 days.

I'd much rather have excess than be restricted at any time.

If I manage to get Netflix US working on this amazon fire TV properly, then that usage will go up heaps, as my wife is a real marathon tv series watcher once she has her mind set on a show. We watched that Frankie and Grace in two sittings ...both series.

Originally Posted by Beoz

Hhhmm. Already have an Optus phone, renewed on a business plan a few months back. I wonder if they will honour the Netflix.

Originally Posted by Beoz

So on this basis sounds like option C is good value for money.

Originally Posted by Beoz

You should look at the the current Optus $90 unlimited internet, Fetch Tv, and free Netflix for 6 months. Seems there might be some savings there for you.

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

It can take 7 to 10 days of downtime to switch from one naked service to another..... Plus I think there is a fairly hefty charge as a naked service is not counted as a phone line. Plus I implicity trust Iinet above all other providers.

Originally Posted by GarryP

The T&Cs are half way down this page : https://www.optus.com.au/shop/promot...p1:ip24un:none

They are talking about a new plan etc., for 6 months Netflix, but you could try it on if you like with a sales rep. If not, then this might work : https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/199528

The wrinkle that people have been using is you can get 3 months on a prepaid plan. So they get the cheapest, nastiest phone (eg $15 or below) and use it to get the 3 months of Netflix - and put the phone in a drawer. Coles and Woolies are good sources of such phones.

You have to activate before 5th July though.


My only question is can you suspend the foxtel for a while and only run off a smartDNS connection to iPlayer etc. - or indeed find a way to ditch it entirely (maybe FetchTV or some other sports streamer). In part it's determined by what wifey watches, and what sport you watch.

Originally Posted by Beoz

Yeah we are getting business plans set up all the time so I'll give them a ring tomorrow and find out why they are not telling us about the Netflix.

Originally Posted by GarryP

Not sure if you got anywhere, but Woolies have a cheapo Optus feature phone on deal from today - $14.50

That would give you three months Netflix for free (worth $35).

Need to activate by 5th

Originally Posted by GarryP

Chromecast on sale from Officeworks at the moment for $24.50

If you want one, order it online immediately - it will sell out within an hour or so.

Originally Posted by Beoz

I want my $50 back from about 8 months ago or $25 of it.

Originally Posted by GarryP

How many freebies have you had in that time ?

Originally Posted by Beoz

Not a lot directly via Chromecast, but it does make a good casting device.