Hi, I'm not sure what type of internet we need for home and hope you can help?

Hi Kate,

 It sounds like you've been using mobile broadband over the last few years, judging by your dislike of "logging on" when you want to use the internet. (In case you're not sure what that is: mobile wireless broadband is the USB dongle that you plug into your computer to get the internet. Usually you have to connect to it manually every time you wish to use it. The internet connection is sustained by connecting to mobile phone towers.)

It's good that you're turning away from that now, because a mobile broadband connection isn't going to be fast nor reliable enough for the kind of usage you're describing. Basically you'll want an ADSL2+ connection, which comes cheapest in the form of a home phone and internet bundle. It's a steady, reliable connection which is important when you want to use it for streaming TV and even if you decide to start using it with your Playstation. There is no need with ADSL2+ to connect every time you use it, and if you get a WiFi modem you'll be able to access it through your house on as many different devices as you like, with no need for extra cables or connection points.

Click here for the best home WiFi plans.

For a lot of people, the hardest thing about finding the right broadband plan is determining just how much date they need. How much 1GB is worth can be very confusing to some people! Some people are sure that they won't need more than 2 or 3GB per month, while others are terrified of going over their usage. Luckily these days providers won't charge you for using more data than you have on your ADSL2+ plan (unlike when it comes to mobile data plans), but they will slow your internet down for the rest of the month, which can be a very frustrating experience.

If you want complete assurance that you won't ever go over your limit, I'd recommend one of the good unlimited bundles out there, like TPG's Unlimited ADSL2+ and Home Phone Plan or Dodo's Unlimited ADSL2+ and Home Phone Plan, both for around $60 a month. These plans mean that there is no way you'll ever be able to run out of data and you can remain unconcerned about any heavy downloads that you do each month. Call TPG on 1300 106 571 and Dodo on 1300 136 793. Out of the two, TPG will offer more flexible contracts, but Dodo are willing to give you a free modem and waive the connection fee if you sign up on a 24 month contract.

However, if you are medium users, an unlimited connection is probably overkill. To put it into perspective: downloading a whole hour and a half long movie in high definition rarely uses more than 1GB of data. So unless you're downloading lots and lots each month, it's unlikely that you'll need more than say 50GB.

You could look at TPG's 100GB ADSL2+ and Home Phone Bundle for $49.99 per month. The 100GB is split into 50GB peak and 50GB off peak (which means that if you do have a particularly heavy download, you might want to set it to run while you're sleeping) and you can get the plan on either a six or an eighteen month contract. Call us for more information about TPG or to sign up today on 1300 106 571.

One downside about the inexpensive bundles available through providers like TPG and Dodo is that they don't tend to include any free calls with the home phone. If you plan to use your landline to make a lot of calls, I'd recommend contacting Optus instead on 1300 137 897. They are more likely to give you free calls to standard Australian landline numbers and Optus mobile numbers under a range of their plans, and like Dodo, they're often willing to add a free modem or waive the connection fee to sweeten the deal.

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

Mikaella.