Frequently Asked Questions
Obviously, the newer your computer the more benefit you will get from Broadband. If your computer is older than 5 years then it’s a good idea to check the minimum system requirements for Broadband from the supplier you have chosen. This will vary. See the details below for bigpond.com.
BigPond's minimum system requirements for a wired 1 Port ADSL modem connection are as follows:
PC/Windows computers
Pentium 400MHz or equivalent (750MHz or above strongly recommended).
Windows 2000* (SP4) and XP* (SP1 & SP2, 32bit).
128 MB RAM (Windows 2000)
256 MB RAM (Windows XP)
Hard Drive 150 MB free space.
Disk Drive CD or DVD Drive.
Apple Macintosh computers
Power Mac, PowerBook, iMac or iBook (G3 or above recommended).
Mac OS X v10 to 10.4.
256 MB RAM
150 MB free space.
CD or DVD Drive.
Internet Explorer version 5.5 + or Safari 1.2 +
Spare Ethernet port.
SVGA display 800x600x256 colours +
Internet Explorer version 5.5 +
Spare Ethernet or USB port.
SVGA display 800x600x256 colours +
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No, but you can most likely use it to connect to a cable service. You need a dedicated ADSL modem for ADSL Broadband. The same goes for Wireless Broadband. You will need a wireless modem.
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We request your phone number to check with your local exchange whether you can receive ADSL Broadband. We don’t request it for any database purposes and we certainly don’t use it to ring you to try to sell you something.
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You will notice that we feature mainly ADSL Broadband suppliers on our website. Basically this is because ADSL is an extremely competitive market.
Since it was decided that Telstra would become a wholesaler and allow other suppliers to use and rent their current infrastructure, the market has really opened up.
Although ADSL and Cable are both broadband they are different. Cable internet is delivered via the cable TV infrastructure such as the ones installed by Telstra and Optus a few years ago. These lines can accept speeds as fast as they can be uploaded by a server.
ADSL uses the existing telephone infrastructure and is therefore more convenient to the home user because it means no installation of cables and boxes. However there are many different variations and packages when it comes to speed and download capacity.
Some suppliers are now installing faster ADSL2 technology into exchanges around Australia. ADSL2 offers speeds of up to 24mbps (24000kbps). Speed is dependant on the distance you are from the exchange and the number of users sharing your line. It is highly unlikely in most circumstances that you will receive speeds as fast as 24mbps.
The most common download speeds offered with ADSL vary from 256kbps to 1500kbps.
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It has become a generic term that now applies to high bandwidth applications and can be used when referring to either cable, DSL, wireless or satellite.
In Australia, most suppliers consider anything at or over 256kbps to be broadband and therefore base their products on this premise.
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There are a couple of ways ISP’s penalise you. One is to slow your speed down (shaping). This will vary with suppliers. Some will limit your download speed to 64kbps while others can go as low as 28kbps.
The other way is to charge you. Again prices vary and you will have to read the fine print. This practice is not as common as shaping
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Although they are both ‘broadband’, cable internet and DSL are different. Cable uses the high-capacity pay television infrastructures rolled out by Telstra and Optus a few years ago. DSL uses the existing copper telephone infrastructure to deliver high speed broadband via technology installed at your local exchange.
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Speed. It’s faster saving your precious time allowing you to download files, emails and photos at speeds 5 times faster than a standard modem.
Cost. Most broadband plans are now very affordable. Compare renting an extra line, dial up costs and excess download fees to a simple, always on broadband connection with no excess download fees or dial up costs. You will most likely end up in front.
No more engaged signals. Isn’t it annoying when you get that constant engaged signal? Your broadband connection is always on eliminating the need to dial up.
Line Rental. ADSL broadband does not require an additional line. You can use your existing phone line for both Internet and telephone at the same time.
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Shouldn’t be a problem. There are a couple of things to watch out for. One is to make sure you specifically ask for Macintosh software. Otherwise you will most likely get Windows software which won’t work. The second is to ensure you have a Macintosh compatible Ethernet card. Again, this sounds elementary but could cause you problems.
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