Hi mactalkers

I am trying to help out my dad with an internet connection. He is new to the net, yet i am finding out that he's getting better at it daily, and the dial up he's on is becoming painful! He inherited my old iMac G3, 600mhz, 512ram, 10.3.9 and loves it! I am also noticing he's becoming addicted to Skype and a bit of web surfing etc. (utube is his latest discovery) so i guesswe could call him a light user

He lives in the Western suburbs of Melbourne (St. Albans telephone exchange) and has the conventional copper Tel$tra connection and Optus cable attatched to his house! For years he had a problem with hearing 3AW on the handset during calls and while the handset was hung up (not to mention the cross line conversations you were able to listen on to) Tel$tra could't do anything while coming over several times installing filters etc. A service man confessed that the copper wiring in the area was so old and prone to picking up radio frequencies, and would never be changed! I wonder if my father lived in Toorak, this could be a different story!
When Optus started operating, we witnessed servicemen installing cable in the suburb and our street. It was like like a breath of fresh air to be able to have a brand new carrier to choose from, with far superior 'new' better shielded cabling!
He quickly changed his home phone to Optus and had chrystal clear and problem free phone line! Yay!!!

Now for the question on ISP!

Which ISP should he go for, with combined home phone account?

* can only have ADSL1 due to St. Albans (VIC) exchange limitations
* has Optus cable installed to his house


What are his options? He lives with his elderly mum so a home phone is essential, but not used a lot! Should he just get a cable connection with optus and get something like 'Engin" for VOIP (must be other options) I guess I would like him to stay clear of Tel$tra'$ copper wiring! 'Unwired' is not yet available in the area.

Had a look at the Optus phone+broadband 2gb deal for $60 per month, 4 months free for 24 months (not the 'fusion' deal) no extra downloads charged and shaped to 64kbs
Also had a look at the Virgin Broadband+Home phone, but they don't seem to support 'Skype" can someone confirm this? Skype is a must!

What would you guys reccomend? Something that can get him on line without having to spend a fortune, with an option of a home phone and a shaped downloads.

Many thanks in advance

Don't mind me if I start off by recommending Internode first. The only other company I've never heard a bad thing about is Westnet.

I live in St. Albans and also have Optus Cable in my house
I use Internode and have never had an issue. My parents who also live in St. Albans, also use Internode (for the past 5 years) and have never had an issue either!

Hey neighbour

Is internode via cable (can optus cable be shared by others?) or ADSL? Which plan do you reccomend for phone+internet with internode, and feedback on the optus cable experience?

Thanks

The only cable providers in Australia are Telstra and Optus. All other ADSL is provided over Telstra phone lines. If you have only an Optus cable-based phone line, you have no carrier choices other than Optus. Ie: You have to get a regular Telstra phone line if you want a choice.

optus cable bundled with home phone should be a great option for your dad, he wont need a huge download limit, so a basic cable plan will rock his socks off.

If you have only an Optus cable-based phone line, you have no carrier choices other than Optus. Ie: You have to get a regular Telstra phone line if you want a choice.[/quote]

so if you want broadband, you have to pay line rental+broadband plan+phone plan? Does internode offer that? Also would the starter Optus broadband+Phone of 400mbs shaped to 64kpbs be ok for skype and utube?


Virgin Broadband (great deal), any feedback from users here? Can you guys use skype, it's rumoured possible without the video since it's considered peer2peer!

Thanks

i would add another vote for Internode if using ADSL. i have my elderly parents in geelong on Internode with a Nodephone (voip) setup as well. its a great combination for the oldies.

I believe it's now possible to have a "ADSL only" line through some companies. At the moment, there is a trial with Internode only - ie: it's not fully available yet.

Naked ADSL2+ trial (Phase A) launch - Internode - Whirlpool Broadband Forums

That was a great read Currawong.

I can't wait for the day Tel$tra is heavily fined for keeping the public in the dark and bluffing that ADSL2 is 'not' available in certain areas.... I hope the trial proves them wrong and the goverment/ACCC actually does something about it! Similar to what the High Court did for them not sharing the NextG network! Greedy scumbags!

My dad had phenomenal problems with his tel$tra phone service for 11 years and they did nothing, but happily took thousands of dollars from him!

Power to the people... if only everyone left tel$tra... ahhh the bliss!

I love the idea of Virgin Broadband+Phone!
No dealing with telstra, istallation fees, relocation fees, plan change fees. excess fees etc.

Anyone with Virgin Broadband or Optus cable?