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How to move house and make sure you’re connected to the internet

Moving house can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to connecting to the internet. With so many internet providers and plans to navigate, it’s no wonder you may feel lost and frustrated. In this blog, we will provide tips on how to make the transition of moving house as smooth as possible.

Before Moving

Before you move, it’s essential to research internet and phone providers in the area you are moving to. Some broadband providers may not be available in the area you are moving too, and others may have better coverage or pricing. You should also consider your internet usage needs and the type of plan that suits you. For example, if you are a heavy internet user, you may need an unlimited data plan or a plan with more speed. Alternatively, if you use the internet mainly for email and browsing, a lower data allowance may be sufficient.

Timing your Move

Timing around your move will also come into play. If possible, try to schedule your move at least two weeks in advance to allow for the installation of your internet and phone services. This will give you enough time to research internet providers and plans, compare prices, and book the installation appointment. It is also advisable to inform your current internet provider of your move and arrange for the disconnection of your current broadband services.

Choosing a new Provider

When choosing an internet provider, it is essential to consider factors such as pricing, coverage, reliability, and customer service. You should also consider the type of connection available in your area such as NBN or cable. NBN is by far the fastest and most reliable internet connection available, but it may not be available in all areas. If NBN is available in your area, you should look to choose a provider that offers NBN.

Understanding the Different Types of NBN

If you choose to connect to the NBN, it’s important to understand the different types of connections available. There are four main types of NBN connections:

  • fibre to the premises (FTTP)
  • fibre to the node (FTTN)
  • fibre to the building (FTTB)
  • hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC)

Each type of connection has different installation and connection requirements, as well as different speeds and data allowances. It’s important to research and compare the different types and find the one that best suits your needs.

Consider a adding the home phone line to your plan

If you need a home phone line as well, consider bundling it with your internet plan. Many internet providers offer home phone line services as part of their plan, which can save you money compared to purchasing these services separately. When choosing a home phone line service, consider the call rates and any additional features you may need, such as call waiting or voicemail.

Schedule your installation appointment

Once you have chosen your new internet provider, schedule an appointment for your internet to be connected. Most providers will give you a 4 hour window for the technician to come to your new home for the installation. The NBN technician will need to install equipment and connect your home to the NBN network. Schedule the appointment at least two weeks before you move in to ensure you have internet access on moving day.

Preparing your new home for NBN

Before the NBN technician arrives, make sure your home is ready for your new internet installation. This includes ensuring there is a clear path to the NBN connection box and that the technician can access the connection point on the outside of your home. You should also remove any obstructions such as furniture or clutter that may hinder the installation process.

Have your documents ready

When you schedule your internet connection appointment, your internet provider will likely ask for some information and documents. This may include your identification, your current address, your new address, and your contact information. It’s important to gather this information beforehand to avoid delays on installation day.

After installation – test your connection

After the NBN technician has installed and connected the internet, it’s time to test your connection. Make sure you test your internet speed and check that all devices are connecting to the network correctly. If you have any issues, contact your internet provider immediately.

Time to set up your Wi-Fi network

Once you have tested your internet connection, it’s time to set up your Wi-Fi network. This includes choosing a Wi-Fi network name and password and configuring your router and devices to connect to the network. Make sure you choose a strong and secure password to protect your network from unauthorised access.

Connect all your devices

Once you’ve set up your Wi-Fi network name and passwords it’s time to connect all the devices in your new home – this could include:

  • desktop and laptop computers
  • smart phones
  • tablets
  • smart TVs
  • wireless speakers
  • smart light bulbs
  • home security camera

Update your billing information

Make sure you have updated your billing information with your new address and contact details with the new internet provider. This is important to ensure you receive your bills and any important notifications from your internet provider.

Cancel your old internet service

Lastly, make sure you cancel your old internet plan once you are happy with the new connection.

We’re available today to chat to you so you can compare internet plans

Visit https://broadband.compare/ or speak to one of our friendly team members on 1300 001 958 or hello@broadband.compare

What broadband plan do you need for the modern workplace?

We saw the traditional workplace change forever during the pandemic and it has reshaped the way we work. A large percentage of companies have opted to allow their staff to continue to remotely work from home and in this blog we will explore how these changes will affect what broadband plan you choose. So what do you need from your internet plan for this new modern workspace?

This new strategy companies are adopting is called ‘hybrid working’ and now more than ever potential and current employees are prepared to sacrifice some of their salary and holidays in order to keep the hybrid working environment. This may consist of spending at least two days working from home or somewhere closer to home to avoid long travel times to get to the office.

Depending on how many days you are planning to work from home, it may be helpful to look at your current broadband plan and assess your needs in regards to speed, budget, coverage and what options are available in your area.

What speed do I need for video conferencing?

One of the most important requirements of hybrid working would have to be the ability to make video conference calls for team meetings.  If your broadband speed is below the recommended minimum requirement, it will make it difficult to have a seamless experience on these calls. It will become frustrating for not only yourself but the other team members on the call. You may experience dropping out, freezing, sound issues and more.  So how do you get around these issues?  Make sure your broadband plan has allowances for at least 4 Mbps speed. Here’s quick list of the major video conferencing platforms and their minimum requirements to operate smoothly from your home workspace environment based on other devices drawing on the network :

  • Microsoft Teams – 1 Mbps
  • Google Meet – 2 Mbps
  • Zoom – 1.5 Mbps
  • Facetime – 128 Kbps

What’s the difference between upload and download speed?

When it comes to your internet plan, download speed relates to how quickly a device can download content from the internet. For instance, how quickly your emails download or how fast a Google search loads, these are examples of your download speed. Upload speed is the time it takes for your device to upload content to the internet, for example sending emails, transferring files, video conferencing and even posting to social media.

In Mbps, how much speed will I need to work remotely from home?

Consider 100 Mbps as a rule of thumb for good speed for most homes with an average number of devices (seven to eight) that regularly consume bandwidth on your home internet plan. To achieve crystal clear video conferencing from your home workspace a 200 Mbps plan will be plenty of bandwidth. Messages and email should download almost immediately, and there should be very low latency times or delay on internet calls. This is typically the package households will purchase for multiple internet users, and would be a great package for homes with remote workers and children who are gaming or video streaming for remote school.

Can I hotspot from my smartphone when working away from home?

When you’re out and about and want to keep in touch with your team you can simply use your Wi-Fi hotspot option on your smartphone. If you’re a remote worker but always on the move, make the most of your mobile internet plan if it’s the unlimited plan and hotspot.

We’re available today to chat to you so you can compare internet plans

Visit https://broadband.compare/ or speak to one of our friendly team members on 1300 001 958 or hello@broadband.compare