Post by: Paul (SA) on November 03, 2015, 06:09:23 PM
I am trying to set my parents up with a new internet plan. Right now they have a prepaid plan which is bleeding them dry and given they are on disability pensions, this is not ideal.
Is anyone on a great deal or know of a company that provides a great deal in the Bundaberg area or Qld in general?
Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks, Paul
Post by: Specialized29er on November 04, 2015, 12:31:06 AM
Landline and unlimited super fast internet for $80 a month.
My mum lives in Bundy to, up near the Racecourse.
Post by: noel_w on November 04, 2015, 08:38:02 AM
It's a bit like what car will suit my 60yo mate. It's a bit open ended. You may need to give us some more clues.
How is it delivered at the moment?
What data allocation would they use?
If ADSL do they want to retain their landline?
I am with iiNet which does have it's occasional challenges but seeing I work in I.T. and have a Telecoms background I can usually "explain" to them what I want done. I have stayed with them because they have a competitive plan which suits me and after it was up and running I have few issues. Their provisioning system has a few built in glitches, I can say that as I was a ADSL Provisioning Manager at an ISP in a previous life.
Whirlpool (http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/92) is a great resource if you have the time.
Post by: peanut2 on November 04, 2015, 01:14:11 PM
Before this we could only get ADSL1 and the download speed wasn't worth firing up the computer or tablet for. So we really had no choice. But on NBN I have a much better deal and I save a few dollars a month as well.
Peanut
Post by: Bird on November 04, 2015, 01:16:37 PM
What sort of use?
Post by: rossm on November 04, 2015, 01:33:15 PM
My first stop would be iiNet if available. I am a long time customer and their service has been second to none. The company has been taken over and the one fear is that things may change.
They have been particularly helpful with me on technical issues which may be a plus for your parents.
Cheers
Post by: prodigyrf on November 04, 2015, 08:59:48 PM
What budget?
What sort of use?
x2 but here's a good place to start
https://www.mybroadband.communications.gov.au/ (https://www.mybroadband.communications.gov.au/)
and then when you know the exact service limitations you can go looking on various broadband comparison sites-
http://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband (http://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband)
Post by: Paul (SA) on November 04, 2015, 09:16:57 PM
They only use it for checking Facebook and the odd FaceTime chat with the grandkids.
20 GB a month would be more than enough.
Post by: prodigyrf on November 04, 2015, 09:37:38 PM
Edit: For $40/month Virgin Mobile (Optus network) will give them 12Gb/month with BYO sim or Virgin Dongle but for that they could ditch the home phone for Boost $40 UNLTD (Telstra network) and get 3GB a month plus an extra 1GB each Sat and each Sunday during the month (11GB) and unlimited calls and texts to the grandkids anytime. The kids can give them 3 rings and they can ring them back. They can tether anything to the mobile phone of course with internet sharing.
Post by: Kiwijohn on November 04, 2015, 11:20:27 PM
No experience in that area but we are with Exetel, have used them for ADSL, ADSL 2 and now NBN.
If they want to keep their home phone they could do it for $29.99 a month (byo phone) - the smallest plan of 100gb limit should cover it.
Thanks
John
Post by: prodigyrf on November 05, 2015, 12:11:07 AM
https://www.telstra.com.au/help/download/document/personal-critical-information-summary-homeline-budget.pdf (https://www.telstra.com.au/help/download/document/personal-critical-information-summary-homeline-budget.pdf)
So you're talking $50/m minm but you can get Naked broadband with VOIP for $60 and cheaper calls of course but not Telstra's concern if the copper goes pfft on you.
Hence ditching the land line for say Boost mobile (Amaysim is another) can make a lot sense for low data users on a budget and if not enough you can get prepaid data (Virgin and Optus?) for 10GB for $99 to last 365 days or there are $10 addons for 500Mb with Boost if you go over the odd month, or else you recharge early if that stacks up. Low data oldies should get with the program like many younguns and ditch their land lines altogether.
Post by: grafy82 on November 05, 2015, 01:20:06 AM
So they have a home phone on ADSL but can't get ADSL2+ at present?
Edit: For $40/month Virgin Mobile (Optus network) will give them 12Gb/month with BYO sim or Virgin Dongle but for that they could ditch the home phone for Boost $40 UNLTD (Telstra network) and get 3GB a month plus an extra 1GB each Sat and each Sunday during the month (11GB) and unlimited calls and texts to the grandkids anytime. The kids can give them 3 rings and they can ring them back. They can tether anything to the mobile phone of course with internet sharing.
x2 for Boost mobile. We have been with them for nearly 2 years now and not a single drama. They just went 4G now too so you have full Telstra coverage. Plus being pre-paid, you can't go over on anything. No hidden charges.
Post by: prodigyrf on November 05, 2015, 09:51:16 AM
That's the point too with fixed broadband if they tell you you're on RIM copper or can only get ADSL it will be flaky and slow whereas your folks can have good mobile connection. As well once you get outside the metro areas a lot of the cheaper broadband suppliers go missing (I can't even get Telstra's Belong offer in metro Adelaide)
Just a tip if they go onto mobile full time get a bigger screen for old eyes and in that regard DS have the Telstra Blue Tick 5" Lumia 640LTE 5" for $239 or the bigger 5.7" 640XL for $339 at present and both listed as first upgrade to Win10. We're both on Windows phones (mum 640 and me 735) and they're great bang for buck phones and easy to learn for oldy non-gamers and marginal apps users. Can't beat Here Drive for an emergency car GPS either and we're used to Windows on PCs.
In case you were wondering the BIL and I and the shooting mates, etc have all been there with this stuff with our parents' generation, although some of us have only picked up smartphones in the last couple of years. Windows and Boost for cheap dummies who still actually talk on phones :cup:
Post by: benben86 on November 05, 2015, 09:58:25 AM
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Post by: prodigyrf on November 05, 2015, 10:17:39 AM
Post by: me217 on November 05, 2015, 07:46:55 PM
Post by: me217 on November 05, 2015, 07:51:28 PM
Post by: ATC on November 05, 2015, 08:44:08 PM
Also tells you what the line speed down would be.
I usually knock 10-15% of the speed and that's close to what you'll get on a computer.
Also tels you what ISP's have equipment in the exchange.
Post by: dales133 on November 05, 2015, 09:05:40 PM
Was already with slowdaphone and checked telstra aswell and ended up walking away with unlimited national and international calls,sms and mms plus $160 international calls to countries not on the included list and 9gig of data for 100 a month shared plan between 2 phones.
Oh and a free galaxy note 4
Post by: Paul (SA) on November 05, 2015, 10:33:37 PM
Cheers!!
Post by: prodigyrf on November 07, 2015, 08:57:20 AM
I know from my experience in it. There is a service provider that only provides to pensioners. And it was really cheap compared to most. They did dial up and adsl. Can't think of the name. It was about 5 years ago I had to deal with them.
Too cheap-
https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/news/oneseniors-in-administration (https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/news/oneseniors-in-administration)
Boost are owned by Telstra as is Belong for fixed net and Telstra is working on market segmentation like Qantas with Jetstar. You choose premium or no frills but you're not about to do your shirt with either. If you can get Belong in your area with reasonable speed on copper it's $60/month for 100gb with basic home phone included that gives you free local, 1300 and 1800 number calls (can't ring mob, STD, OS but clearly you can use Skype and the like) Still, it's pretty hard to beat Boost if you can keep the data to the basics as many olds can and they're used to talking on phones.
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 09:06:27 AM
Boost are owned by Telstra
You might find that is incorrect, Boost is only hosted on the Telstra Next G network not owned by Telstra.
Post by: gronk on November 07, 2015, 10:59:40 AM
Boost are owned by Telstra
I'm on boost and my voicemails come from Telstra. If you talk to a Telstra shop employee, they tell you they are the same company .
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 11:27:30 AM
I'm on boost and my voicemails come from Telstra. If you talk to a Telstra shop employee, they tell you they are the same company .
They are wrong, Boost is an MVNO that use the Telstra Next G wholesale network. A few years ago Boost used the Optus network until they were kicked off.
Post by: grafy82 on November 07, 2015, 12:04:33 PM
They are wrong, Boost is an MVNO that use the Telstra Next G wholesale network. A few years ago Boost used the Optus network until they were kicked off.
Not to be rude, but who cares if they're owned by Telstra or not. The deals are awesome and the coverage is great (Telstra 4g). All Telstra locked handsets are boost compatible. So for all intents and purposes, they are Telstra without the expensive name tag.
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 12:15:50 PM
Not to be rude, but who cares if they're owned by Telstra or not.
Not to be rude, but I like facts...
Post by: gronk on November 07, 2015, 12:29:28 PM
Not to be rude, but I like facts...
When I go to retrieve a voicemail, which I haven't setup yet, it says would you like to setup your TELSTRA voicemail now ??????
Maybe they need to put a partition down the middle of the room they are using !!! ;D ;D
Post by: prodigyrf on November 07, 2015, 12:30:42 PM
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 12:37:58 PM
When I go to retrieve a voicemail, which I haven't setup yet, it says would you like to setup your TELSTRA voicemail now ??????
That's because Boost is just a marketing and billing company. They wholesale the Telstra network which means they use all Telstra infra, hence the Telstra voicemail.
Post by: prodigyrf on November 07, 2015, 12:45:15 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boost_Mobile
but if you take the demise of Kogan mobile initially due to buying its Telstra services via ISPOne, Telstra stepped in to guarantee service to Kogam customers while they made up their mind to transfer to other providers. (That's when I moved to Aldimobile and then Boost)
Post by: dales133 on November 07, 2015, 12:46:31 PM
Screw wifi this is much faster.
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
Post by: gronk on November 07, 2015, 12:47:10 PM
So I copied this from the web !! There seems to be 2 words in there that seems to explain it.......TELSTRA OWNED !!
The Optus-backed version of Boost Mobile closed its doors in January, and it has re-opened today as a Telstra owned budget prepaid carrier with a range of plans that focus heavily on unlimited calls. There are three tiers of recharges at $10/$20/$40, with differing expiry and data allowances.
Post by: dales133 on November 07, 2015, 12:48:27 PM
Aahhh, clear as mud !!Well what do you know!
So I copied this from the web !! There seems to be 2 words in there that seems to explain it.......TELSTRA OWNED !!
The Optus-backed version of Boost Mobile closed its doors in January, and it has re-opened today as a Telstra owned budget prepaid carrier with a range of plans that focus heavily on unlimited calls. There are three tiers of recharges at $10/$20/$40, with differing expiry and data allowances.
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
Post by: grafy82 on November 07, 2015, 01:10:04 PM
Not to be rude, but I like facts...
Did you actually have any experience to contribute to the OP's question, or are you trying to make yourself feel better about paying more just to have the official Telstra name?
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 01:18:20 PM
Aahhh, clear as mud !!
So I copied this from the web !! There seems to be 2 words in there that seems to explain it.......TELSTRA OWNED !!
The Optus-backed version of Boost Mobile closed its doors in January, and it has re-opened today as a Telstra owned budget prepaid carrier with a range of plans that focus heavily on unlimited calls. There are three tiers of recharges at $10/$20/$40, with differing expiry and data allowances.
Wherever that came from it is wrong
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/439906/boost_mobile_resell_telstra_next_g_network/ (http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/439906/boost_mobile_resell_telstra_next_g_network/)
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 01:21:31 PM
Did you actually have any experience to contribute to the OP's question?
Actually yes, my folks are on a $40/m BigPond seniors plan, I think it is 20Gb/m
or are you trying to make yourself feel better about paying more just to have the official Telstra name?
I don't pay anything for my comms. You also get access to the 4GX/LTE networks on Telstra, you don't on Boost.
Post by: grafy82 on November 07, 2015, 01:34:39 PM
I don't pay anything for my comms.
Wow, we feel even more like commoners now. We actually have to pay for our inferior service. Although, I suppose you wouldn't want to be paying for your mobile and internet, if its anything like your camper it wouldn't get used enough to justify paying.
Post by: dales133 on November 07, 2015, 01:37:07 PM
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Post by: KingBilly on November 07, 2015, 01:37:49 PM
Wow, we feel even more like commoners now. We actually have to pay for our inferior service. Although, I suppose you wouldn't want to be paying for your mobile and internet, if its anything like your camper it wouldn't get used enough to justify paying.
Really, c'mon on. Enough with the personal attacks.
KB
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 01:38:02 PM
Wow, we feel even more like commoners now. We actually have to pay for our inferior service. Although, I suppose you wouldn't want to be paying for your mobile and internet, if its anything like your camper it wouldn't get used enough to justify paying.
Stooping to personal attacks after I answered your questions. Play the ball not the man ::)
Post by: grafy82 on November 07, 2015, 01:45:54 PM
Really, c'mon on. Enough with the personal attacks.
KB
Stooping to personal attacks after I answered your questions. Play the ball not the man ::)
Wow, that's pretty rich. Hello pot, this is kettle.
Post by: gronk on November 07, 2015, 01:54:47 PM
Actually yes, my folks are on a $40/m BigPond seniors plan, I think it is 20Gb/m
I don't pay anything for my comms. You also get access to the 4GX/LTE networks on Telstra, you don't on Boost.
Actually you do.....boost is now 4G....I disabled mine 2 days ago.
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 01:55:42 PM
Actually you do.....boost is now 4G....I disabled mine 2 days ago.
4GX is different/faster compared to 4G...
Post by: dales133 on November 07, 2015, 02:05:48 PM
Its just as bizare this behavior is defended by others...just my observation on the preceeding entertainment
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Post by: prodigyrf on November 07, 2015, 02:26:51 PM
Post by: Snow on November 07, 2015, 04:56:18 PM
Post by: gronk on November 07, 2015, 06:43:13 PM
Hi everyone,
I am trying to set my parents up with a new internet plan. Right now they have a prepaid plan which is bleeding them dry and given they are on disability pensions, this is not ideal.
Is anyone on a great deal or know of a company that provides a great deal in the Bundaberg area or Qld in general?
Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks, Paul
BOOST !!
Post by: Kangaron on November 07, 2015, 07:45:28 PM
Post by: D4D on November 07, 2015, 07:49:14 PM
Am I missing something here, Google tells me BOOST is a mobile provider, not an internet provider which the OP is after.
They're talking about using data on the mobile plan...
Post by: Bird on March 30, 2016, 10:19:44 AM
We have been cut off as we are now being forced onto NBN (not bloody needed)... so looking around for decent unlimited data plans..
been on whingepool, but that got me nowhere.
it seems you cant get a good deal unless you get the "Bundles" inc home phone, tv, stan, fred, chicken and 2000 other things I don't want...
Anyone signed up recently with decent unlimited plans??
Post by: StrvnMrvn on March 30, 2016, 10:44:16 AM
so we have been on optus cable for years nad happy with it..
We have been cut off as we are now being forced onto NBN (not bloody needed)... so looking around for decent unlimited data plans..
been on whingepool, but that got me nowhere.
it seems you cant get a good deal unless you get the "Bundles" inc home phone, tv, stan, fred, chicken and 2000 other things I don't want...
Anyone signed up recently with decent unlimited plans??
Dodo - $30 a month unlimited. Kept the home phone and mobiles with Telstra.
Post by: feisty on April 10, 2016, 09:04:04 AM
Jaw drops. Pause. Thinks quickly...
Replied 'oh that's right I only use wifi....'