See how Optus stacks up against other providers
See how Optus stacks up against other providers
Configuring your old iiNet, Telstra or Optus modem to use with your new provider
- Most modems are easily reconfigurable
- Popular manufacturers include Belkin, Netgear & Netcomm
- Telstra, Optus & iiNet all have their own branded modems
19/06/2017 12:56 PM
For the most part, fixed plans where you get a ‘free’ mobile phone are easily to understand. For example, in exchange for using a particular service plan for 24 months, mobile providers will gift you with the latest and greatest handset. That’s because, in the long run, the contract offsets the couple of hundred dollar price tag of the device.
With ADSL2+ broadband services, the relationship between hardware and contract length is harder to buy. Many providers still want you to commit to a 2-year contract, but the prize they offer is a modem/router that would only cost you about $100 retail. For many people who have had a broadband connection in the past, the deal is even less appealing– you already have a modem/router, so why would you sign away your flexibility for a piece of hardware that you already own?
The secret these companies don’t want you to know is that modems/routers are very unglamorous technology, more akin to a toaster than a mobile phone. In other words, a good one should last you for years without any need to upgrade, unless standards significantly change or your old one breaks. For the most part, a modem/router is something that sits in a forgotten corner near the phone line, only getting attention once in a blue moon for a reset, or for when the cat needs a warm spot to curl up in.
With that in mind, many service providers now offer short contracts with no modem/router included, to attract people who value flexibility, are on short-term leases, and/or own the hardware already.
Wait a minute…what is a modem/router anyway?
A modem is a device that plugs into your phone line, interprets the electrical signal into something your computer can understand.
Fun fact: “Modem” is a word made up of MOdulator and DEModulator. ‘Modulation’ is the act of turning raw data into transferrable digital bits and pieces; so the modem MOdulates the data you send, and DEModulates the data you receive!
A router on the other hand is a device that takes that connection from the modem, and forwards data from one network to another, in most cases you will have just one piece of technology – a modem-router that handles both tasks.
What do you mean by ‘reconfigure’?
Many modems are not built to meet the specific needs of a particular service provider. They’re made and sold as common pieces of equipment for anyone to buy from a JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman store. So when Telstra home internet gives you a modem with your contract, it comes pre-configured with details relevant to the Telstra connection – but you can easily go into the settings of your modem and change some of those settings to work with your new service provider.
Note – these tips are for changing the basic settings only as many of these re-badged modems have certain settings locked, which requires a good deal of technical knowledge to overcome.
Many technical support teams are trained to deal with modems that their company doesn’t offer, so it’s always a good idea to check with technical support too if required.
Telstra modems
For the last 5 or 6 years, Telstra has used modems manufactured by 2Wire and Technicolor. The 2Wire modems are very common, and most technical support teams should be proficient in reconfiguring them.
2Wire 2701HGV-W
Instructions:
1. Open your browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or Chrome).
2. In the address bar, type in http://gateway.2wire.net
3. You will see this screen
4. Click on ‘Broadband Link’ on the top menu
5. Select ‘Advanced Settings in the Broadband Link sub-menu
6. Under ‘Broadband Network’, select ‘PPPoE’ in the Connection type drop down menu (this will usually be pre-selected)
7. In the username and password field, you should see your old Telstra email address and password. Change these to the relevant details with your new service provider, and then click ‘Save’ at the bottom.
8. Wait for the modem to re-authenticate. This process usually takes around 2 minutes. Try turning the modem on and off again, or unplugging and replugging it if required.
Technicolour 587NV3
Technicolor used to be known as Thomson, a French 150 year old multi-national company. They changed their name in the hopes of capturing the US market, where their ‘Technicolor’ film technology was their only product with household recognition.
Instructions:
1. Open your browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or Chrome).
2. In the address bar, type in 192.168.1.254 or http://dsldevice.lan
3. You will see this screen
4. Click on Broadband Connection
5. Click on Internet services
6. Click on Internet
7. Click on Details
8. In the username and password field you should see your old Telstra email address and password. Change these to the relevant details with your new service provider, and then click ‘Save’ at the bottom.
9. Wait for the modem to re-authenticate. This process usually takes around 2 minutes. Try turning the modem on and off again, or unplugging and replugging it if required.
Optus modems
Netgear DG834GU v5
Optus internet plans have been providing this Netgear Wi-Fi modem/router as a freebie for most plans for a little while now, and as such, it’s not the most fantastic modem – but can definitely do the job.
Instructions:
- Connect via an ethernet cable
- Open your browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or Chrome).
- In the address bar, type in http://10.1.1.1/CA_HiddenPage.htm (case sensitive)
- Disable the Configuration Assistant & click Apply.
- Once the modem has restarted, type in http://10.1.1.1 and log in.
- Click Basic Settings.
- Enter your username & password for your new service provider and click Apply.
Default login details for the modem are:
- Username; admin
- Password; password
iiNet Modems
iiNet developed the BoB line of modems to be a router and more. The first one was a rebranded Belkin, and they have just about every feature under the sun, including advanced VoIP configurations. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re also rather sleek and gorgeous to look at.
Belkin’s own N-300 modem is the retail, non-branded equivalent of the first BoB, and adheres to the same commands.
iiNet developed the Bob Lite themselves, including the hardware. Same goes for the Bob 2.
For all three of these units, the log-in page is the same.
Instructions:
- Open your browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or Chrome).
- In the address bar, type in 10.1.1.1
- If you’re asked for a username and password, the default for both is ‘admin’
- In all three modems, there should be an ‘ISP settings’ page.
- Enter the appropriate details from your service provider, save and reset and you should be good to go!
As you can see, the method to follow are the same for most of these modems. With a few exceptions, the majority of your old modem/routers can be reconfigured for further use with a new service provider. All you need are the username and password details for your new ISP, and the browser address your modem can be reached at. If you don’t have these on hand, you can always call the manufacturer to access these details.
How to configure your old Telstra or Optus modem to use with another Internet provider
- Most modems easily reconfigurable
- Popular manufacturers include belkin, Netgear and Netcomm
- Telstra, Optus and iiNet all deliver branded modems
19/06/2017 11:56 AM
Mobile phones have a market model that most people can wrap their heads around. In exchange for 24 months of guaranteed service, mobile providers will furnish you with the latest handset for free (or for a few dollars a month). The long contract offsets the price of a device that would otherwise cost you hundreds of dollars to buy upfront.
With ADSL2+ broadband services, the relationship between hardware and contract length is less clear. Many providers still want to commit you to a 2 year contract, in exchange for a modem that would cost you about $100 retail. And for many people who have had a broadband connection in the past (or are coming from another provider), the equation is even more unappealing – you already have a modem, why commit to another 2 years for a piece of hardware that duplicates something you already own?
Not everyone gets that a modem/router is an unglamorous, functional piece of hardware. It’s more akin to a toaster than a mobile phone, in that a good one should last years and upgrading will offer little benefit unless standards have changed or your old one goes on the fritz. A modem/router is something that sits in a corner near the phone line, blinking away and only getting a look-in once in a while for a reset, or for when the cat needs a hot spot to lie down.
With that in mind, many service providers now offer short contracts with no modem included, to attract people who want more flexibility, or are on short term leases, and who otherwise have the hardware already. It’s similar to the market for SIM only mobile plans (for people who don’t need a handset) or even items like the Mac Mini, a cheap Apple PC that is just a brick, with no screen, mouse or keyboard, ready for people who already have that stuff and just want to switch to a Mac.
Modem? Modem/Router? Wi-Fi?
To clarify: the modem is the device that plugs into your phone line, takes in the electrical signal, and turns it into something your computer can then understand. “Modem” is a word made up of MOdulator and DEModulator. ‘Modulation’ is the act of turning raw data into transferrable digital bits and pieces; so the modem MOdulates the data you send, and DEModulates the data you receive.
A router is a device that takes that connection from the modem, and acts a multi-adaptor for many connections.
Wi-Fi is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices within 50 metres or so to connect to your modem, share the internet connection, and also share other resources (like printers and hard drives).
So, a Wi-Fi modem/router is an all-in-one device that gets your connection, and then routes it wirelessly around your house. It’s what most people are looking for when they want ‘Wireless ADSL2+’ or ‘Wireless Broadband’. It’s easy to confuse with Mobile Broadband, which is a modem that connects wirelessly all the way to a mobile tower, receiving its internet feed from there.
What do you mean by ‘reconfigure’?
Many modems are not built to meet the needs of a particular service provider. They’re made and sold as common pieces of equipment for anyone to buy from a JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman. So when Telstra home internet gives you a modem with your contract, it comes pre-configured with details relevant to the Telstra connection – but you can easily go into the settings of your modem and change some of those settings to work with your new service provider. Even if you see Telstra or Optus branding all over the page, you can ignore all of that and cut straight through to the stuff that matters.
Note – these are for basic settings. Many re-badged modems have had advanced port forwarding settings locked out, which requires a good deal of technical knowledge to overcome. This is for simple reconfigurations allowing for basic connections.
Note 2 - Many technical support teams are trained to deal with some modems that they don’t offer, so it’s always a good idea to check with technical support as well, if this guide doesn’t help you.
Telstra modems
For the last 5 or 6 years, Telstra has used modems manufactured by 2Wire and Technicolor. The 2Wire ones are very common, and most technical support teams are experienced in reconfiguring them.
2Wire 2701HGV-W
The ‘Telstra Home Network Gateway’ is not available for retail sale. Telstra was the only firm in Australia that sold them, offered for free on their old bundle plans from 2007. They are manufactured by 2Wire, which is now owned by British electronics firm Pace. Sidenote – Pace also make many models of set-top-unit for Foxtel internet.
1. Open your browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or Chrome).
2. In the address bar, type in http://gateway.2wire.net
3. You will see this screen
4. Click on ‘Broadband Link’ on the top menu
5. Select ‘Advanced Settings in the Broadband Link sub-menu
6. Under ‘Broadband Network’, select ‘PPPoE’ in the Connection type drop down menu (this will usually already be the type selected)
7. In the username and password field will be your old Telstra email address and password. Change these to the relevant details with your new service provider, and then click ‘Save’ down the bottom.
8. Wait for the modem to re-authenticate. Takes 2 minutes. If you want to make double sure it will work, turn the modem on and off again, or unplug it and plug it back in.
Technicolour 587NV3
This has been sold through Telstra for a year or so, and it’s an exceptional piece of kit. It supports all Wi-Fi speed profiles, multicasting, IPV6 and gigabit Ethernet. All of that is gravy for people who know how to use it; otherwise, just be happy you have a modem that will be top-of-the-line for the next 5 years or more.
Technicolor used to be Thomson, a French 150 year old multi-national. They changed their name recently to better crack the US market, where their ‘Technicolor’ film technology was their only product with household recognition in the US. They also now own RCA, one of the very oldest electronics firms (you know those red-white-yellow cables for your TV? Those are called RCA cables).
1. Open your browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari or Chrome).
2. In the address bar, type in 192.168.1.254 or http://dsldevice.lan
3. You will see this screen
4. Click on Broadband Connection
5. Click on Internet services
6. Click on Internet
7. Click on details
8. In the username and password field will be your old Telstra email address and password. Change these to the relevant details with your new service provider, and then click ‘Save’ down the bottom.
9. Wait for the modem to re-authenticate. Takes 2 minutes. If you want to make double sure it will work, turn the modem on and off again, or unplug it and plug it back in.
Optus modems
Netgear DG834GU v5
Optus internet plans have been using this Netgear Wi-Fi modem/router for a while now, which it offers free on almost all plans. As such, it’s not the most fantastic modem – but it will do the job.
Unusually for Optus, they’ve actually locked this down more than Telstra have with their modems. It can be unlocked, but takes a little work.
Netgear itself is a big US network equipment firm, with most of its stuff made all over the place. Or in other words, China. Netgear modems, like Netcomm modems, have a 'standard kit' quality to them.
Connect via an ethernet cable.
- Browse to http://10.1.1.1/CA_HiddenPage.htm (case sensitive)
- Disable the Configuration Assistant & clock Apply.
- Once the modem has restarted, browse to http://10.1.1.1 and log in.
- Click Basic Settings.
- Enter your username & password for your new service provider and click Apply. This is normally the full email address.
Default login details for the modem are:
- Username; admin
- Password; password
iiNet Modems
iiNet developed the BoB line of modems to be more than just a router. The first one was a rebranded Belkin, and they have just about every feature you can shake a stick at, including advanced VoIP configurations. They’re also quite gorgeous to look at.
But a lot of people don’t use 99% of the features in the BoB, and just need a Wi-Fi modem. Luckily, iiNet are pretty good at allowing the modem to be used with other ISPs, with no drastic steps to overcome.
Belkin’s own N-300 modem is the retail, non-branded equivalent of the first BoB, and adheres to the same commands.
iiNet developed the Bob Lite themselves, including the hardware. Same goes for the Bob 2.
For all three of these units, the log-in page is the same.
- Browse to 10.1.1.1
- If you’re asked for a username and password, the default for both is ‘admin’
- In all three modems, there should be an ‘ISP settings’ page. As per above, click there, enter the appropriate details from your service provider, save and reset. And BoB’s your uncle! (haw haw)
As you can see, the principles are the same. With a few exceptions, most modem/routers that have been provided for free with your ISP in the past can be reconfigured for use with a new service provider. All you need on hand are the username and password details for your new ISP, and the browser address your modem can be reached at. Worst case scenario, the manufacturer can be reached by phone for these details.
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Mate NBN Plans vs Optus NBN Plans
- We will be looking into Mate NBN Plan vs Optus NBN Plans
- Mate NBN Plans
- Optus NBN Plans
16/05/2017 12:36 PM
Hey there everyone, we’re back with another one of our NBN plan comparisons that set out to make your life that much easier when it comes to choosing the right NBN plan for you and your family! This time round, we will be looking into Mate NBN Plan vs Optus NBN Plans - from download speeds to pricing and different plan options, we have you covered. Both Mate and Optus are very popular contenders in the ISP game and are rated some of the best providers of NBN internet in Australia today. If you are keen to look further into what both companies have to offer, grab a snack, scroll down and read on!
Mate NBN Plans
For those who are unaware, Mate Communicate was voted best ISP on Product Review in 2016, and for good reason too. Mate has won the hearts of many all over the continent, as it provides all its users with unlimited data plans that come with different price plans. This means that regardless of budget, there will definitely be a Mate NBN plan that suits your needs. Diversity and catering to all audiences are key, and Mate definitely has that covered.
For a very affordable amount of just $59 a month, you can purchase unlimited data with Mate at a the industry average Tier 1 speeds of12Mbps. Upgrades to your speed are also available with added costs - 25Mbps for $69, 50Mbps for $89 and 100Mbps for $99. Another bonus is that all of Mate’s plans are lock in contract free and do not cost you any activation fees so that you can keep your spending to a minimum. Mate also offers unlimited call inclusions with their plans for an extra $9 per month, should you want to purchase a phone bundle.
Optus NBN Plans
Optus is one of the leading companies in Australia, proving mobile phone connections and NBN internet connections to hundreds of thousands of Aussies today. When it comes to NBN plans, Optus starts you off with their $80 My Basics bundle which boasts a basic maximum download speed of 12Mbps, again, the industry standard for Tier 1. Adding an additional $10 to your plan will see you upgrading to Tier 2 speeds of 25Mbps, whilst adding $20 to your plan will get you download speeds of up to 50Mbps. If you’re looking for the fastest speeds money could possible buy, adding $30 to your My Basic bundle will get you ultimate NBN speeds of up to 100Mbps (the fastest in the market today). Aside from fantastic, efficient and speedy broadband, these plans come with a bonus of unlimited standard local calls to landlines, so keeping in touch with family abroad is made easier than ever.
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So, which ISP’s NBN Plans suit you best? We know that this is a very subjective issue and that everyone has their own unique needs when it comes to picking the best internet plan for both themselves and their families. We hope that this comparison has aided in your decision-making process. If you still have queries on NBN plans, do not hesitate to contact us today, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
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Optus Prepaid Mobile Broadband Review
- Optus provides prepaid mobile broadband plans that suit everyone’s various needs
- 10GB, 25GB and 50GB plans also come with entertainment packs, so you’ll never miss out on your favourite shows or tunes online.
- You can access this prepaid broadband data on various devices of offer at Optus, from USB modems, 4G Car Wifi kits and 4G Wifi modems
05/05/2017 04:06 PM
Have you ever been out and about, and in need of using the internet on your mobile phone? Sure, there are mobile data plans that give us all access to the internet at a certain capacity per month, but what happens if you do not want to go over your data limits on your mobile plan? If you are a businessperson who is always out and about, dashing from meeting to meeting, then you may need to purchase a Prepaid Mobile Broadband plan.
Optus provides prepaid mobile broadband plans that suit everyone’s various needs, making it easy to stay online when you’re out and about. Optus allows you to choose from a range of data-packed recharge amounts, whether you want just a little data, or a lot. You can even roll over your unused data up to 50GB when you recharge your broadband data before its expiry. Optus Prepaid Mobile Broadband uses 3G and superfast 4G Plus networks.
You can access this prepaid broadband data on various devices of offer at Optus, from USB modems, 4G Car Wifi kits and 4G Wifi modems. All devices with a SIM and start-up data to get you going, and it’s easy to recharge from just $10 when you need more data. Taking the internet with you wherever you go has never been easier!
What Are The Mobile Broadband Plans That Optus Has on Offer?
For $15 a month, you will be able to sign up to a plan with 2GB of data and will be able to data pool (combine any of their latest My Plan Plus - including SIM only - and My Mobile Broadband Plus plans on the one bill and pool and share data).
Similarly, $25 a month will get you 5GB data per month, $35 will get you 10GB of data per month, $50 will get you 25GB data per month and $70 will get you 50GB data per month. All these plans also include data pool. 10GB, 25GB and 50GB plans also come with entertainment packs, so you’ll never miss out on your favourite shows or tunes online.
All Mobile Broadband plans come with a 24 month contract.
What Recharge Options Do I have?
$20 Recharge: For a $20 recharge, you can get 3GB of data which expires in 7 days. You will be able to rollover your unused data up to 50GB if you recharge before expiry.
$30 Recharge: For a $30 recharge, you can get 4GB of data which expires in 30 days. You will be able to rollover your unused data up to 50GB if you recharge before expiry.
$60 Recharge: For a $60 recharge, you can get 10GB of data which expires in 90 days. You will be able to rollover your unused data up to 50GB if you recharge before expiry.
$80 Recharge: For a $80 recharge, you can get 14GB of data which expires in 186 days. You will be able to rollover your unused data up to 50GB if you recharge before expiry.
$130 Recharge: For a $130 recharge, you can get 25GB of data which expires in 1 year. You will be able to rollover your unused data up to 50GB if you recharge before expiry
Do note that for all these plans, any data over 50GB when you rollover during a recharge will be forfeited.
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With such fantastic options available to you via Optus Prepaid Mobile Broadband, keeping connected on the go has never been this easy. Should you have any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact us today.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Optus offers NBN Plans, Cable Broadband plans, ADSL2+ Plans services via Cable, ADSL or wireless technology. Optus are one of the market leaders in providing broadband internet connections to Australia. They offer bundles across all speed tiers of the NBN. They also offer great entertainment packages in their bundles with their great partnerships with Fetch TV
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