I live in Brookfield 3338 and want a fairly fast service.

Hi Jenni,

I think the problem with your previous connection with Virgin is that Virgin only supplies mobile broadband. Mobile broadband is an internet connection that works via a mobile phone tower, and so, just like with your mobile phone, in some areas it can have really great reception, and in other areas, really bad. Unlike your mobile phone, too, a mobile broadband connection is doing a lot more "heavy lifting" in the constant transmission of data, and so any lags in the service will be much more noticeable.

For this reason, we don't really recommend mobile broadband for home connections, particularly if you're after a fast, steady connection that will allow you a reasonable amount of downloading. You'll never be able to get a data allowance of much more than 15-20GB on a mobile broadband connection, and that can get extremely expensive.

Click here for the best home WiFi plans.

I'd recommend that you look into ADSL2+ connections in your area. ADSL2+ is what we call a fixed line connection, because it works through the copper line that goes into your house from the telephone exchange.

As a result, it is much faster and more reliable than a mobile broadband connection, and you're unlikely to experience many if any drop outs. Your speed and the reliability of your connection depend upon your distance from the telephone exchange and the quality of your copper line, meaning that usually every provider will give you the same speed and you should choose the ISP you sign up with based on price and customer service. It should still be a huge improvement upon mobile broadband.

You can also get a much more reasonable data allowance at a better price with an ADSL2+ connection, which means your daughter – and the rest of your family! – will be able to download things to her heart's content.

An ADSL2+ connection involves a lot more work than a mobile broadband connection. You'll find that it takes ten working days to set up, and that most providers will ask you to bundle it with a home phone connection if you don't already have a landline. Connection fees are also significantly higher, to cover the manual work that needs to be done at the telephone exchange, and you'll need to get a new modem, too, which typically costs around $100. (You can get a WiFi modem, which will broadcast your internet signal through your house and allow you to use it on multiple devices at the same time without physically connecting to the modem.) Click here for a guide to some of the fees involved in setting up an ADSL2+ connection.

Despite this, though, an ADSL2+ connection would be an incredible improvement over mobile broadband, and I think you'll find it's the solution to your internet woes. Try giving some of the following providers a call to find the right plan for you:

TPG: 1300 106 571
Optus: 1300 137 897
Dodo: 1300 136 793

I hope this helps, Jenni! If you have any further questions feel free to call on 1300 106 571.

Mikaella.