3G broadband is the fastest growing form of fast internet in Australia at the moment, fast outstripping ADSL 1 & 2 growth rates. If you looking to join the many that have already joined then here are a few tips to help you in your decision making.
According to ACMA, sales of mobile broadband grew dramatically in 2009, with 2.1 million total users (up 162% on the figures for the previous year). A quarter of all Internet subscribers now use mobile broadband.
Starting with 3G broadband requires buying both a 3G modem (usb or dongle), and a SIM card used to access the 3G network (inserted in the modem). Most ISPs offer the option of either buying the hardware outright or paying for the hardware via a 12 or 24 months. Your choice of plans include prepaid plans where you pay upfront and select the amount of length of time you wish for the credited data allowance to last or subscribing to a monthly contract and having a fixed allowance each month.
No matter who you choose, these questions are worth considering:
Why am I interested in mobile broadband?
Most likely answers are: flexibility, insurance, or lack of alternatives.
Flexibility covers both someone who expects to move house frequently (eg student) or someone who travels a lot. Depending on where you travel eg rural Australia then coverage should be your key consideration. If you are sticking to cities then all options should be OK with some performing better than others.
Insurance covers a scenario where you largely rely on traditional ADSL, but like the idea of 3G as an additional resource if there’s a power or connection failure. This is common if you’re utterly reliant on Net access to do your full or part-time job. As you are already paying for fixed line broadband, cost becomes an important consideration, and prepaid broadband or pay-as-you-go is likely to be an attractive option.
Lack of alternatives If you live in an ADSL blackspot or in rural Australia and satellite doesn’t interest you, then 3G may be the only viable option. In this scenario, you really only have 2 choices in Telstra and Optus.
What’s the reception like at home?
No matter which category you fall into, it’s worth checking on what the network reception for a provider you’re considering is like at your home. Coverage maps may give you some idea, but the best way to do this is find a friend who is using the particular ISP and trial their usb modem on your computer at your home. Alternatively you can test it with their mobile phone by checking how it handles voice and data tasks.
What’s the reception like where I need it?
The same exercise should ideally be repeated anywhere you’re likely to want to use broadband with your laptop. Obvious options include your workplace, schools or campuses, relatives’ houses (if you visit frequently) and even train lines you regularly use. You’re unlikely to get ideal results everywhere, but a consistent series of blanks might suggest thinking about a different provider.
Is there supported software for my preferred OS?
With sufficient effort, you can get 3G to work on just about any platform without actually installing new software, but for the average user, you want to be able to install software from the box and to call on technical support if things go wrong. Virtually every provider supports Windows (though support for versions prior to XP is unlikely); many support Mac, but there’s often a delay before official software becomes available. Linux is for the most part a DIY prospect. If you buy a netbook with Windows CE, you could also have some difficulty.
What’s the total cost?
For contract plans, look at the total cost over the time period (which has to be specified in the documentation). For pay as you go, check the expiry period on unused credit: if you routinely top up with $20 but then only use the service one day a month, you’re likely to be ripping yourself off. In some cases getting yourself a longer term prepaid broadband plan can be more advantageous than buying a starter monthly contract plan.
