I’m not here to advertise Telstra, but there are current mobile 4G offerings that in my opinion beat NBN satellite, depending, of course, on your current mobile phone coverage at home. If you have good mobile coverage at home, you should consider this. I am seriously considering abandoning my landline service with ADSL internet. Instead, I will use my mobile phone (iPhone) to provide a ’hotspot’ to a router configured as a wireless repeater. So when the ’Personal Hotspot’ on the phone is activated, it automatically connects to the router, which provides internet access to anything else connected to the router by wifi or ethernet cable, including computers and smart TVs.
To test the viability for your own location, using a mobile phone, I suggest you download the Ookla Speedtest App. If you have mobile data on your mobile plan, TURN OFF Wifi and check the performance you are getting from your mobile phone connection. Ookla will test whatever connection you are currently connected to: https://www.speedtest.net/
ADSL here, 5km from exchange:
Ping 26ms
Download 4.75 Mbps
Upload 0.86 Mbps
Telstra 4G mobile, same location:
Ping 43ms
Download 64.3Mbps
Upload 16.6Mbps
BUT, 4G performance is highly variable. Sometimes it can be slower than ADSL. Of course, 4G performance may deteriorate as more people take it up. I never said it was easy! Turn off your usual internet access and connect to a hotspot from your friend’s mobile phone at your place and see how it goes.
Optus have some good plans too, but it depends on your coverage. If you have a strong Optus signal on your mobile, fine.
BTW, don’t hold your breath for 5G around here – it’s not gonna happen!
Hi John, I’m tucked away in the valley at the top end of Yandoit Township Rd, off Coach Track. Off-grid, and no phone line within several kilometres, so mobile or satellite were the only options. Satellite was too expensive, so I’ve opted for mobile 4G. I tried both Telstra and Optus 4G wifi modems, and was surprised to find Optus to be better from my location – strong 4G signal, 25ms ping, 18Mbps download, 5Mbps upload.
To achieve this, I had to get a 4G modem capable of connecting at 700mHz (Band 28). (D-Link DWR-921 C3 WiFi Wireless Modem Router) The 700mHz frequency provides the strongest signal over long distances in regional areas. The modem connects to the Optus mobile network via the tower at Mt Franklin Summit (Id: 3461002). https://oztowers.com.au/Home/FullSiteInfo?siteId=8951
Cheers – Michael.
Yes, you really have to test where you are, and at various times of day. Performance may degrade as 4G take-up increases.