1. What is broadband?
View our “What is Broadband” Video
The term ‘broadband’ refers to a type of internet connection that can receive and send a large amount of data in a very short period of time. The vast majority of internet connections currently available from Australian internet service providers are classified as ‘broadband’ connections.
2. What are the advantages of broadband v dial up?
Broadband connections are capable of receiving and sending data a lot faster than the superseded ‘dial-up’ standard. Viewing websites and downloading data over a dial-up
connection is very slow, therefore the dial-up standard is slowly being phased out.
3. How fast is broadband?
While there are many different opinions on what data transfer rates should be labelled as ‘broadband’, the generally accepted minimum speed of a broadband internet connection is approximately 256 kbit/s.
Putting technical jargon to one side, a broadband connection, by definition, should enable the end-user to download / view internet content (websites, pictures, videos and music) without lengthy delay.
4. What types of broadband are there?
There are several different ‘delivery methods’ of broadband internet. Some involve a wire or cable being directly connected to the home or computer, whereas others rely upon wireless radio signals to receive and send internet content. Under these two basic categories, sit the following types of broadband:
| Type | Definition | Fixed Line or Wireless? |
|---|---|---|
| DSL | A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet connection, uses your existing phone line to send and receive internet data. It is a lot faster than older 'dial-up' connections which also use a phone line. | Fixed Line |
| ADSL | An Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) internet connection, uses your existing phone line to send and receive internet data. It is a lot faster than older 'dial-up' connections which also use a phone line. ADSL superseded the DSL standard. | Fixed Line |
| ADSL/2+ | An Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line 2+ (ADSL2+) internet connection, uses your existing phone line to send and receive internet data. It is a lot faster than older DSL and ADSL standards. | Fixed Line |
| NAKED DSL | Naked DSL is a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet connection, that uses your existing phone line to send and receive internet data, but removes the ability for you to make phone calls over that phone line. The 'phone' service on this connection has been 'stripped' away, hence the term 'NAKED'. | Fixed Line |
| CABLE INTERNET | An Cable Internet connection, uses your cable TV cable send and receive internet data. It is generally a lot faster than ADSL2+, making it one of the fastest types of connections available to Australian consumers | Fixed Line |
| MOBILE BROADBAND | Mobile broadband is the common term used to describe 'wireless' internet access via a portable modem or mobile phone. | Wireless |
5. How much does it cost?
As the range of broadband connections available in Australia is very large, and they are highly customisable, it is nearly impossible to calculate an ‘average’ cost. We recommend you follow our online needs analysis to find the specific broadband plans that meets your performance and budget requirements.
6. Which is better, ADSL, ADSL2 / 2+, DSL?
Generally speaking, ADSL2 and ADSL2+ are faster that the older ADSL and DSL standards. Bear in mind though, that you will generally pay more for this increased level of performance.
7. What’s the difference between mobile and wireless?
‘Mobile Internet’ is a marketing term used to describe wireless Internet access obtained via a portable modem or mobile phone. Generally speaking, the term ‘wireless’ simply relates to wireless networks that enable you to ‘share’ your internet connection with multiple users in the home or workplace.
8. How can I monitor my usage?
Most broadband internet service providers have websites that you can log into to monitor your usage. If all else fails, you can call your internet service provider who should be able to provide you with an up-to-date status of your current month’s usage.
9. What is bundling?
Bundling is when you combine several services from a service provider to obtain an overall discount. E.g. Some providers allow you to combine your internet connection, mobile phone, fixed line phone and Cable TV connection on the same package or ‘bundle’.
10. What is wifi and how do I use it?
Wi-Fi is a branded standard of wireless network that enable you to access the internet in a localised geographic area (hotspot). Many shopping centres and airports, for example, have Wi-Fi hotspots that most laptops and wi-fi enabled mobile devices can access.
11. What kind of broadband user am I?
As everyone’s internet usage requirements and budgets are different, we recommend you follow our online needs analysis to find the specific broadband plan that meets your performance and budget requirements.
12. How much data can I download?
As everyone’s internet usage requirements and budgets are different, we recommend you follow our online needs analysis to find the specific broadband plan that meets your download volume requirements.
13. What is a cap?
A cap is a limit imposed by service providers on certain plans which determine how much data you can download over a certain time period.
14. What happens when I reach my download limit?
While every internet service provider treats download limits differently, most will slow down the speed of your connection to ‘dial-up’ speed (which is very slow and almost renders the connection unusable), if you exceed you limit.
Some providers will charge you an additional fee for every additional download above your agreed limit. It’s therefore very important that you understand the contract with your service provider before signing up.
15. What is connection speed?
A connection speed relates to how quickly your internet connection can send and receive data over the internet. In practical terms, if internet content (such as websites, videos, pictures and music) take a long time to display on your computer, then it’s likely you have a slow connection speed.
16. What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for ‘Voice over internet protocol’, which basically means phone calls that are made over an internet connection rather than a phone line. VoIP can be a great way of reducing your phone bill if you make lots of phone calls. Most internet service providers now include VoIP as an option optional extra when signing up for a broadband internet plan.
17. What is Naked ADSL?
Naked DSL is a A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet connection, that uses your existing phone line to send and receive internet data, but removes the ability for you to make phone calls over that phone line. The ‘phone’ service on this connection has been ‘stripped’ away, hence the term ‘NAKED’.
18. Why doesn’t my exchange support ADSL2?
Some telephone exchanges operate on old infrastructure which has not yet been upgraded by Telstra. We recommend you contact Telstra directly to determine the technology available from your local exchange.
19. Can I change exchanges?
We recommend you contact Telstra directly to determine the technology present in your local exchange and discuss your options directly with them. If your local exchange doesn’t support new technologies such as ADSL, then Cable Internet or Mobile Internet (which doesn’t use Telstra’s telephone exchange infrastructure) may be a good option.
20. What do I need to get ADSL2?
To get ADSL2 all you need is an existing phone line, and a local telephone exchange that supports ADSL2 technology. We recommend you then follow our online needs analysis to find the specific ADSL2 plan from a provider that can meet your performance and budget requirements.
21. Do I need a modem or router?
Some providers have broadband internet plans that allow you to ‘bring your own’ modem and use it to access their internet. This can be a good way of reducing the overall cost of your plan, as most internet plans add the cost of the modem they provide you to your monthly bill.
A router is different to a modem. A router is simply a ‘splitter’ that allows you to share a single internet connection across multiple computers in your home or office. Routers come in both ‘wired’ and ‘wireless’ versions.
22. Will your broadband plan cost more with iSelect?
iSelect is not a broadband provider, we are a comparison service that helps you select a broadband Internet plan that meets your usage and budget requirements. The cost of the broadband plan we recommended is based solely upon the information you provide us during the needs analysis / consultation process.
23. What is the iSelect broadband comparison service?
The iSelect broadband comparison service helps you compare a large range of broadband internet plans from multiple providers, and assists you in selecting a plan that meets your usage and budget requirements. The recommendations made by iSelect are based solely upon the information you provide us during the needs analysis / consultation process.
24. Who are the internet providers that iSelect partner with?
We currently have the following broadband providers listed on our service:
25. How do I get broadband using iSelect?
To compare a wide range of broadband internet plans and find the one that’s right for you, visit www.iselect.com.au and click the broadband tab.
26. Will iSelect charge any fees?
No, the iSelect broadband comparison service is completely free.
27. How do I contact my service provider?
Should you have any questions regarding the broadband internet plan you have recently purchased via iSelect’s comparison service, then you should contact the internet provider directly. iSelect does not provide broadband internet service / support for the providers listed on our site.
28. Why should I use iSelect when looking for broadband?
The number of different broadband internet plans available in Australia is very large, and making a like-for-like comparison in your own time can be a costly and time consuming exercise. By following our online needs analysis, you can find a broadband plan that meets your specific performance and budget requirements.
29. What internet plan types does iSelect offer?
iSelect offers a very large range of broadband internet plans, from a large range of Australia’s internet service providers. Visit www.iselect.com.au and click the broadband tab.
30. How do I compare broadband with iselect?
It’s easy! To compare a wide range of broadband internet plans and find the one that’s right for you, visit www.iselect.com.au and click the broadband tab.
31. Why do I need broadband?
To access the internet and view online content such as websites, movies, pictures, and songs without extended download delays, you require a relatively fast ‘broadband’ internet connection. iSelect offers a very large range of broadband internet plans, from some of Australia’s largest internet providers. Visit www.iselect.com.au and click the broadband tab.
32. What if I already have broadband?
As the features and price of broadband internet plans change regularly, it’s important to regularly review your plan to ensure it still meets your usage requirements. Who knows, a cheaper plan with the same features may exist. By following our online needs analysis, you may be able to find a broadband plan that better meets your specific performance and budget requirements.
33. If I’m in a contract, can I still change plans?
We recommend you contact your existing provider to determine the terms of your current contract. In many cases, it may be possible to switch to a different plan with your current provider and not incur any exit fees or disconnection charges. Our website enables you to sort available broadband internet plans by provider, so you can update yourself with their current range of plans before calling them.