We have Mac computers and would like to know if your adsl 2 supports macs.

Hi Jaine,

In short - yes, an ADSL2+ connection is compatible with a Mac. But we can expand on this with a bit of an explanation.

Mobile Broadband is a broadband service that travels over a mobile phone network. The actual connection is received by a modem. A modem, whatever it's shape or form, is a modulator/demodulator - that means it's the device that turns your connection from a jumble of electrical and radio signals into something your computerturns into Facebook, YouTube cat videos and emails!

The most common modem form factor for mobile broadband connections is the USB powered 'dongle'. This tiny stick, which looks like a USB flash drive, contains inside it an antenna (to catch the signal) and a SIM card, to grant access to the network - just like your mobile phone does. It also contains a chip inside that interacts with your computer via software.

In the past, many USB mobile broadband modems had software that was incompatible with the Mac operating system. This is why your previous attempt to use mobile broadband didn't work - the service is compatible, but the modem itself was not.

The same issue could conceivably come up with an ADSL2+ connection. ADSL connections use the copper telephone line to directly send a broadband connection directly to your telephone point. At that point, you would connect a modem (in this case,a  larger device that usually runs on AC power), and the modem would do its business. You would then connect the modem to the computer, and you'd be connected.

In this instance, your modem could run software that is incompatible with a Mac, though this is quite rare nowadays. But more to the point, most modems now use Wi-Fi to talk to your computer.

Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that connects your modem to your computer, without a cable. Unlike Mobile, it only works within about 50 metres. Wi-Fi is a feature of your modem, not a service.

So, to recap:

Your mobile broadband might have actually worked with a different modem - you can get mobile broadband modems that don't plug in to your computer, but actually get the connection from the mobile tower, and then re-broadcast it inside your house for your computer to access. These devices are sometimes called pocket Wi-Fi, to distinguish them from USB dongles.

With ADSL2+, your modem will likely be Wi-Fi enabled, and all Mac computers have a Wi-Fi receiver inside. So compatability will not be an issue, because the modem never has to plug in to the computer - they talk to each wirelessly, with no chance for software clashes.

Optus (1300 137 897) and Dodo (1300 136 793) are both quite generous with Wi-Fi modems, and will give you one for free on most plans. But with TPG (1300 106 571), contracts are shorter and monthly plans are cheaper, so you usually have to buy a modem separately.

Give us a call if you need more info on TPG plans, or if you need more assistance on this issue.

Thanks,

Adam at Compare Broadband

1300 106 571