Internet Access Alternatives
There are a wide range of Internet Access Alternatives: wired and wireless, mobile and fixed, low and high usage. The page aims to briefly summarise the likely alternatives for PCUG members, with links to other sites with more information and comparisons of these alternatives.
Lower Usage Access
To support basic email sending and receiving and modest web usage, with both wireless and dialup wired options possible.
Mobile Broadband
The Mobile Broadband service is provided using mobile phone technologies. In all cases a suitable mobile subscription (and SIM card) will be needed, with some amount of data included. This subscription may be either pre or post-paid, with data either included in the base subscription, or purchased using some form of "add-on" data pack. The basic choice here is which major network (Telstra, Optus or Vodaphone) you choose to connect to, and whether to purchase your subscription from them or from one of their resellers. There are a very large number of alternatives available. You need to consider the mobile phone coverage area of the chosen network for the locations you want to access the service from.
There a several possibilities for accessing this service:
- using a mobile broadband hotspot - this is a small device that creates a small local wireless that several devices can connect to (including laptops, mobiles, tablets, wifi e-readers, etc) to share the mobile broadband link it manages. This is a flexible option that allows one link to be shared by several devices. The mobile SIM for this link is installed in the hotspot, and you would typically use a data-only mobile broadband subscription (either pre or post-paid).
- use of a tablet or smartphone with a data plan to directly access net services - where you tablet has a SIM with mobile (rather than just WiFi) data capability, or you have a smartphone with mobile SIM. You can use the applications provided on these to access Internet services using the respective data-only mobile broadband, or general mobile with data added, subscriptions on the device.
- share your smartphone's data connection - extending the above option, you could configure your tablet/smartphone as a WiFi hotspot to share it's Internet connection with other devices. The details for how to do this depend on the type of device you have
Fixed Wireless Broadband
This service also uses wireless technology, but differs from mobile broadband in having a fixed access node attached to your house (or other building) that provides a direct link back to the provider's wireless tower. Because this uses a fixed node with a larger antenna, it can cover a wider area from the wireless tower, and hence may be able to reach into areas that mobile broadband does not. Availability of this service very much depends on the provider's infrastructure, but in the Canberra region, NetSpeed's Longreach Broadband service supports this option for those in suitable service areas.
Dialup
A continually decreasing number of ISPs also still offer dialup Internet access using a modem connected to your phone-line. However this provides limited speeds and download capabilities, and support is being discontinued by ISPs due to increasing costs. This is unlikely to be a long-term option.
Higher Usage Access
To support those with heavy web usage and/or significant multimedia downloading or streaming.
National Broadband Network (NBN)
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is a fibre to the premises (FTTP) (unless the Coalition cripple it to become a Fibre to the Node with deteriorating copper to you) network currently under construction in Australia. It will provide extremely fast download speeds to 93% of Australian homes and businesses. The remaining homes and businesses will be covered using wireless and satellite technologies. Its fibre network will replace most other wired (telephone twisted pair used by ADSL and coaxial cable as used by Bigpond & Optus in some major cities) connections. Once the NBN passes a location, these other wired networks will be shutdown 18 months later.
To access the Internet via the NBN, you need to be connected to the NBN, and have a phone and/or Internet subscription with an NBN provider. More information on the NBN rollout, and NBN providers is available on the NBN Co website.
ADSL
Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) provides broadband data access over legacy (twisted-pair) phone-line connections much faster than a dialup modem, whilst still allowing standard phone calls to occur at the same time (unlike using dialup). In recent years this has been the main broadband alternative of choice, with a large number of providers offering it. However in Australia it is expected to be superseded by the NBN rollout in coming years.
To use ADSL for Internet access you need an "ADSL Gateway" (likely including a WiFi access point as well) in your home, which connects over the phone-lines to a "digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM)" at the local exchange. One key distinction between providers is whether they own their own DSLAMs you connect to at the exchange, or whether they lease access to these from another provider (usually Telstra).
In the ACT region there are many suppliers offering an ADSL service (for now, until the NBN rollout completes). The Whirlpool Broadband Choice page can provide more information on them.
Cable
In the ACT region TransACT provide a cable (VDSL) service to some areas in Canberra, that can provide phone, broadband Internet and PayTV. These may be a suitable high-speed intenret acces option for those in cabled areas. These services are not subject to the shutdown after NBN rollout.
In some other major cities, Telstra and Optus operate a coaxial cable network that provides similar services. These are subject to shutdown after the NBN rollout.
More Information
The following sites may assist with additional information. Whirlpool in particular has a large amount of comparative information, and user supplied commentary, on many aspects of Internet access.
