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

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

Finding the right internet speed for your household can be a daunting task, especially when there are numerous internet providers and broadband plans available. In this blog, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right internet plan with speed for your needs.

First, let’s understand the different types of internet speeds and what they mean. Internet speed is measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) and it determines how quickly you can download or upload data from the internet. There are two main types of internet speeds: download and upload. The download speed is the speed at which you can receive data, such as images and videos, while the upload speed is the speed at which you can send data, such as emails and photos.

Next, let’s consider the different internet usage scenarios that might affect your internet speed requirements. If you are living alone, a basic internet speed of 15 Mbps is sufficient. However, if you have a family with multiple people using the internet simultaneously, you will need a higher internet speed plan to ensure that everyone can use the internet at the same time without interruption. Similarly, if you are a gamer or use video conferencing services for your home office, you will need a higher speed internet plan to ensure a smooth experience.

Another factor to consider when choosing the right internet plan is the number of devices that you use in your household. For instance, if you have multiple devices connected to the internet wirelessly, such as smartphones, laptops and smart TVs, you may need a higher internet speed to ensure that each device can receive enough bandwidth.

To determine the right internet speed for your household, you need to consider the following factors:

⦁ Number of people using the internet simultaneously
⦁ Type of internet activities, such as gaming, video conferencing or streaming
⦁ Number of devices connected to the internet at any one time

Based on these factors, the following table provides a rough guide to the minimum internet speed required for different usage scenarios:

⦁ Basic internet use (email, web browsing): 15 Mbps
⦁ Streaming video or listening to music: 25 Mbps
⦁ Gaming or video conferencing: 50 Mbps
⦁ Multiple people using the internet simultaneously: 100 Mbps

It’s worth noting that the above speeds are minimum requirements, and you may find that you need a higher speed internet plan for optimal experience when searching and comparing plans.

Now that you have a basic understanding of internet speeds and the different usage scenarios, let’s take a look at the different internet plans available around Australia.

The most common types of internet plans in Australia are:

⦁ ADSL2: This is the most basic type of internet plan and is usually the cheapest. It uses your existing telephone line to provide you with internet access and is limited by the distance from the telephone exchange. It was introduced into Australia in the early 2000s and it allowed users to move away from the tediously slow dialup internet.
⦁ Cable: This type of internet plan uses cable TV infrastructure to provide you with internet access. It is generally faster than ADSL and is widely available in urban areas. Cable internet is another name for hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) which is a mix of high speed fibre optic cables and slower coaxial cables used by pay TV companies like Foxtel. A coaxial cable consists of a copper wire surrounded by a copper sheath with an insulator layer in between. These cables are designed to carry radio signals such as cable TV and internet with very little interference from other signals.
⦁ NBN (National Broadband Network): This is the government-owned network that was established to provide high-speed internet access to all Australians. The NBN network uses a range of broadband technologies including fibre optic cable, existing copper lines, fixed wireless and satellite to deliver fast internet to your home. There are four main types of NBN connections, including Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Fibre to the Building (FTTB), and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC).

So to recap, when looking for an internet provider that gives you the speed you require, consider:

⦁ Your internet usage and activities performed online
⦁ Your speed requirements for various tasks (emailing, streaming, gaming or video conferencing)
⦁ The available speed plans in your area
⦁ Bundle internet plans with other services, like mobile phones and save money
⦁ Your future usage and speed requirements

Based on your location and internet usage requirements you can choose what broadband plan will be best for your household.

Chat to us today and compare internet plans

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

MyRepublic, an Australian favourite internet service provider, announced they were exiting from the Australian market in December last year. This decision took many subscribers by surprise as the company had made great inroads in the market and had been expanding their coverage in the past few years. MyRepublic had a great reputation for providing its customers with high-speed internet plans at an affordable price making it a popular choice for users as some other providers struggle to provide consistent high-speed internet services.

Despite the early success of MyRepublic the company has decided to exit the Australian broadband market and concentrate their focus on other regions around the world.

Next steps for MyRepublic Customers

All customers in Australia that subscribe to their internet services will be part of a transfer agreement with Superloop Ltd. Users will not have to keep their plans with MyRepublic, they will be released from their contracts and free to move to any NBN provider within the market. Whatever plan each customer had with MyRepublic such as terms of plan, inclusions, speed tier and monthly charges will be carried over if they switch to Superloop.

Who is Superloop?

Superloop offers managed internet services throughout Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. With extensive carrier-grade, metro fibre networks in these markets and fixed wireless networks in Australia, Superloop delivers high-performance, connectivity solutions that are scalable and reliable.

Find internet plan options that suit you

Finding the right internet plans that suit your speed and household requirements can be overwhelming. Past MyRepublic customers can shop around and choose another internet provider if they wish. As Superloop will honour the price and terms of the past MyReublic contract a customer had agreed to, we urge customers to be vigilant as they risk losing the honoured pricing agreement between MyRepublic and Superloop if they change to another provider.

Chat to us today and compare internet plans

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

Now, more than ever is it important to save money on your cost of living expenses.  One place you can start saving is by shopping around, saving on household expenses and comparing internet plans. It’s easy to work out what providers are offering deals that will save you money in the long run. 

How to soften the blow to your back pocket

In the past year many Australians have experienced increased living costs across the board. In this blog we will give you some tips on how to save on everyday living costs to ease the burden. 

Compare your Broadband Plan – with so many options of internet providers in Australia it’s hard to decipher what plan is best for you and your household. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each plan usually includes:

1. Find out the name of the plan – this is helpful when talking to the internet providers so they give you the right advice for the plan you are interested in. 
2. Monthly cost – have a budget in mind before you compare broadband plans, it will make the process easier and more streamlined. 
3. Do an assessment of your household internet needs and work out what upload and download speed you will require.  This all depends on how many devices you have in the household and what type of activities you use these devices for. 
4. Check your data requirement – Most broadband plans come with very generous data quotas these days, it’s always a good idea to check these limits before signing up. 
5. Presence in your area – internet plans and providers can vary around Australia depending on your location. For instance, some regional areas have better NBN coverage than capital city areas. Or if you are moving to a smaller internet provider, they may not yet have coverage in your area.  Read their coverage area information carefully before deciding on a plan. 

Other ways to save money 

Saving at the Supermarket – each week all major supermarkets release their catalogues of specials, it’s best to compare each one and see what products are on sale and stock up. In the long run this will save you money. 

Keep prices down at the Petrol pump – there are now many petrol price comparison apps on the market which will give you pricing and a guide to your nearest petrol stations for that week’s cheapest price at the pump.

Save on Power – Did you know TVs, microwaves, routers,  washing machines and gaming consoles and almost every home appliance still cost you money even though they are turned off?  Standby energy can still cost you hundreds of dollars per year, where possible each day turn off appliances at the powerpoint – this will reduce your household energy consumption. 

Do an assessment of Services – nowadays, most households subscribe to a fair amount of subscription services, such as Netflix, Foxtel, Binge and Spotify to name a few.  Do an assessment of these services and work out if you really use them and need them. It may save you money in the long run. 

Chat to us today and compare internet plans 

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