Australia’s broadband industry was once a system destined for ridicule. With tight data allowances and sluggish download speeds, the nation’s large network of connected consumers had little in the way of compliments for internet service providers (ISPs). Rates were high throughout the early 21st century and excessive usage penalties high – often to the tune of hundreds of dollars every month.
Things have changed over the past ten years, however, and the consumer internet industry has made some significant leaps forward. The speed of service has increased alongside higher download caps, with users enjoying more liberal data allowances than ever before at lower costs. At the same time, the amount of accountability from ISPs has increased, with most offering greater service than ever.
These five tips can help you navigate Australia’s otherwise confusing broadband internet industry to pick a package that’s good for you, your education, and for some, your home business. Whether you would like to save costs or simply find a deal that offers greater access to online media, apply these five tips and you’ll quickly find the most competitive, consumer-friendly, and convenient deals.
1. It’s not line speed that matters, but practical speed.
ISPs in Australia, and around the world for that matter, have taken to advertising the line speed of their services instead of the actual speed. For non-techies, the difference in marketed speed and the real speed of service can come as quite a surprise. The line speed is the maximum theoretical speed of service, which is dictated by the type of technology used in wiring and the proximity of servers.
Unfortunately, those conditions are rarely met under regular internet usage, and practical speeds are often just a fraction of the line speeds that are constantly advertised. Whenever you look at a home broadband package, ask for an estimate of the practical download and upload speeds. You’ll find a marked difference in line and practical speeds when accessing international websites.
2. Like rich media? Look for a high traffic allowance.
While Australia’s internet providers tend to offer reasonable download and upload speeds, their data allowances can often lead to unexpected bills and surprise internet throttling. Unlike providers from Europe or the United States, Australia’s domestic internet industry is built on a per-usage basis, with subscribers granted access to a specific amount of download and upload bandwidth per month.
For standard users, this is rarely a concern, although power users and heavy downloaders may find themselves continually breaking the monthly limit. In order to avoid surprise charges and unwanted speed throttling, invest in a broadband plan that allows you do transfer a large amount of data each month, both domestically and internationally.
3. Avoid providers that throttle traffic, block file sharing, and limit usage.
If there’s one universal frustration amongst broadband users, it’s traffic throttling, also known as usage shaping. In response to heavy usage, some internet service providers will limit the access speeds assigned to high-usage accounts. This has the positive effect of clearing the lines to speed access for other users, but can make life particularly frustrating for power users and media fans.
4. Check your location against a DSL exchange map.
Most Australian cities offer heavy internet exchange penetration, with a DSL exchange located on almost every city block and various connection points wired at the end of major streets. However, users based in the countryside may find themselves experiencing a poor connection due to limited signal strength, copper wiring availability, and extended distance to the local internet exchange.
Before you order a high-speed broadband package, check that your home is within a reasonable distance to the nearest connection exchange. Homes located outside of an exchange’s service area may still receive a stable connection, but it’s unlikely that access speeds will be very impressive.
5. Work from home? Look for all-inclusive communication packages.
If you run a business from your home or telecommute to work, it may be worth purchasing an all-inclusive home internet and telephone package. Most of Australia’s major ISPs offer a discount to customers that purchase more than one service, making an all-in-one plan a competitively priced option for telecommuters. Some companies may even offer to cover your internet and phone costs.