Adsl Broadband
Wireless Broadband Plans for Australian Customers
In 1989, the universities of Australia established Internet access through Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) and Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANet). Under the stewardship of Geoff Huston, an Australian National University professor, AARNet began a program allowing Internet service providers (ISPs) to use the AARNet.
The first ISP company, Connect.com, signed on in 1994, plus over 300 smaller ISPs by 1995, making AARNet the wholesale backbone ISP of Australia. AARNet is currently operating as Telstra Internet.
Twenty years after the inception of Internet access, the Australian government, in conjunction with telecommunications interests, began a nation-wide initiative of providing Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), a broadband network throughout Australia. The National Broadband Network (NBN) was established by the Australian government to design, build, and operate an Open Access Network.
NBN is responsible for providing 1 Gigabyte per second download speeds (100 times faster than current service) to 93% of Australian homes and businesses. The remaining 7% of premises are to be connected via wireless and satellite with 12 Megabits per second capabilities. The estimated cost of this project is over $68 billion.
As the NBN initiative ramps up, a myriad of wired and wireless broadband technologies, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Satellite, and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial Cable, provide residential and business Internet access in Australia.
In order to find the right broadband plan for you, it is helpful for Internet users to have a fundamental understanding of the three basic broadband types: fixed, mobile, and wireless internet.
Fixed Broadband
Fixed broadband denotes a fixed line for connectivity to the Internet. This is commonly in the form of an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). ADSL transmits digital information at a high bandwidth on existing telephone lines, providing an always available connection.
ADSL is primarily devoted to sending data to the user, rather than having the user upload data. Broadband providers that offer fixed broadband services may assist users with a wireless router to allow the fixed line to connect and then broadcast within a limited radius, for example, to multiple computers within a building, wirelessly.
Mobile Broadband
Mobile broadband coverage does not require wire or fixed lines, relying instead on 3G broadband coverage of the cellular networks with various types of wireless high-speed Internet access. A portable broadband modem, either built into a computer or a mobile Internet stick plugged into a USB port, provide access to the Internet shared on the cellular spectrum.
Here are some prices for mobile broadband plans currently on offer in Australia.
Optus 2GB for $19.95/month; 10GB for $59.95/month; 16 B for $79.95/month
Dodo 250 MB for $9.90/month; 5GB $49.90/month; 10GB for $79.90/month
Westnet 2 GB for $24.95/month; 4GB for $44.95/month; 7 GB for $54.95/month
Wireless Broadband
People get wireless broadband and mobile broadband confused. Actually, wireless internet is, in essence, the same as an ADSL service, except that ADSL hardwire connects to a router which then wirelessly broadcasts the signal to other computers within range – for example a home or office. This allows multiple computers or laptops to use the same signal.
Some broadband plans currently on offer include:
Optus 2GB for $19.95/month 8GB for $39.95/month N/A
TransAct 300MB for $15.00/month 3GB for $29.00/month 6GB $39.00/month
VirginMobile 2 GB for $19.95/month 4GB for $29.00/month 6GB for $39.00/month
ADSL Broadband
ADSL Broadband meets the demand of an occasional user. Ensure the ISP offers adequate coverage in your locale with sufficient speed for downloading email and graphic intensive web sites.
BIG POND 2 GB for $39.95/month 50GB for $79.95/month 200 GB for $99.95/month
iiNet 5 GB for $39.95/month 100GB for $79.95/month 200 GB for $99.95/month
Optus N/A 50GB for $59.99/month 250 GB for $59.95/month
Southern Cross Telco 3 GB for $64.95/month 60GB for $99.95/month 400 GB for $39.95/month
dodo 5 GB for $39.99/month Unlimited for $59.90/month
Westnet 5 GB for $34.95/month 100GB for $49.95/month 200 GB for $69.95/month
Choosing a broadband plan
Internet users need to determine their interests and budget before signing up for a broadband plan.
People who download movies and online gamers need high-speed service with unlimited downloads. This is probably cable or DSL 2+. Occasional users will find the cheaper options adequate for their needs, and may also want to consider mobile broadband. A business owner or student will probably require a mobile broadband service that allows them to access the Internet from various locations if they are moving around alot.
About the Author
Hugh McInnes is an Australian freelance writer and traveller. He relies heavily on ADSL 2+ super fast broadband to submit his stories. As a result, he tries to keep up with the latest offers and broadband plans.
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