I am currently with dodo, mobile braodband but my PC/home is on the boarder of 2 very congested areas and so my signal strength is very low; lately 0% and I am paying for this. How can I be sure I will have sufficient signal strength if I sign up with someone else?
23/02/2012
Hi Loretta,
That must be really frustrating! Unfortunately mobile broadband can often be difficult to predict. The internet connection is coming from a mobile phone tower, which is generally a lot patchier and less stable than a fixed line connection that goes through the telephone exchange.
My advice would be to call Optus (1300 137 897) first of all and ask them what your coverage is like. They also provide mobile wireless broadband at some great prices, so if they tell you your coverage will be better with them, it's worth enquiring about their plans to see if you can find any that suit you.
Your other option – and what I would really recommend! – is enquiring to see if you can get a fixed line connection. I think you would find either ADSL2+ or ADSL1 a real improvement over the mobile broadband connection you currently have. I'll recommend some plans for ADSL2+ on the assumption you can get it, but if you don't think you can, you can give us a call on 1300 106 571 and we'll talk you through your options.
ADSL2+ is often cheaper when you bundle it with a home phone, and you can get some great deals on included free calls when you do so. I'll recommend some plans that come with a landline, and others where you will need to have a landline already active in order to get it.
TPG offer a great moderate plan. The 100GB Broadband and Home Phone Bundle is available for $49.99/month. You can call us to find out more about TPG's plans or sign up on 1300 106 571.
If you're interested in getting some free phone calls with your plan, you could try Exetel. The Exetel 40GB Broadband and Home Phone plan gives you 40GB of internet along with your phone line rental and 9000 free calls to local, national, and Optus mobile numbers. You can call us to find out more about Exetel's plans or sign up on 1300 106 571.
If you're just after really inexpensive broadband, consider Club Telco. Club Telco currently offer the cheapest unlimited broadband in Australia on the ADSL2+ Unlimited Plan for $25.00/month. Call Club Telco for more information on 1300 198 274.
I hope this helps!
Mikaella.