What makes NBN better than existing broadband connections?

The majority of homes in Australia connect to broadband via an ADSL connection that comes through the phone line. Phone lines in the country run on a network of copper cables, and these cables do not have the capability to handle video service. Broadband received through the NBN will not be via a copper network, but instead by a network of fibre optic cables. These cables are created from incredibly thin glass, or occasionally plastic, that can carry light from one source to another due to its reflective properties.

Expect to see a staggering improvement, as a connection through a fibre optic network could be as much as 50 to 100 times faster than the broadband that you currently enjoy at home.

Will the NBN cost me more?

You would think that such a faster broadband connection would cost more money, but in fact the opposite is true. This is because the NBN is a government initiative, and will therefore be charged on a public service basis. In other words, you won’t be paying prices marked up by broadband providers.

Is the whole of Australia going to have access?

Current estimates for coverage suggest that 93% of the population will have a direct connection to NBN within their homes. The other 7% will be provided with a wireless option, as this 7% of people live in areas too rural for the fibre optic cables to reach. Although it would be technically possible to receive similar speeds wirelessly compared with a direct cable connection, due to restrictions within the radio spectrum this is not a possibility for every household.

How long will it take to receive faster broadband?

Replacing the copper network of the entire country will understandably take some time. Early estimates suggest that the entire process could take approximately eight years, so it may take some time for you to benefit, particularly if you live in a rural area. The roll-out will be a gradual process though, so if you live in the pioneer state of Tasmania, for example, you could expect to see a vast improvement to your broadband connection sooner rather than later.

As the old copper phone network will no longer be required in order to allow people to connect to broadband internet, phone exchanges will also gradually be turned off. There are also plans to move all of the phone service to the same fibre optic network within 2021.

What do you need to do?

Absolutely nothing! All that you need to do to receive high speed home broadband access is to sit tight and wait until the fibre optic installation reaches your own neighbourhood.

Everything You Need to Know About the National Broadband Network is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

What is broadband?

First things first, let’s consider what broadband actually is. Broadband internet is used by millions of people across Australia and is a means to transport data at a very high speed. A simply analogy of a broadband internet connection is that of a busy road. Imagine a narrow road with a lot of traffic; there will inevitably be traffic jams as many cars try to fit through the narrow gap at one time. This narrow road represents narrowband internet or dial-up as it is better known.

Now instead picture a freeway with many lanes for the traffic. Suddenly the speed can increase because more cars can travel on the road at any one time. Although traffic jams can still occur, they happen more rarely than if the same amount of traffic were to try to fit on a one lane track. The freeway in our analogy represents a broadband internet connection, as more information can be carried at any one time. You may have heard of the bandwidth of a broadband connection; this bandwidth represents how much information can be carried or, if you like, how many lanes the freeway has.

How does broadband work?

There are several different types of broadband internet connection, so let’s consider how each of the most popular methods work:

• ADSL broadband. Do you have a telephone line connected to your house? If so, you are the perfect candidate for an ADSL broadband connection, as this type of connection uses pre-existing phone lines in order to carry the information. All that you need to do, when signed up to a broadband package, is plug a modem into your phone line along with a microfilter that allows you access to the telephone and the internet at the same time.
• Cable broadband. Another option when it comes to connecting to the World Wide Web is known as cable broadband. Cable broadband is typically faster than ADSL, because the cables used to carry information are made of a fibre-optic material, instead of the traditional copper wiring suitable for a phone signal. Telephone and television signals can also be transmitted via a fibre-optic network, allowing you to combine your services.
• Mobile broadband. If internet on the move is important to you then mobile broadband could help. Mobile broadband allows you to access the internet by using the same network that is used to make calls on a mobile phone. The 3G mobile phone network is constantly improving due to the increasing popularity of this particular method of accessing broadband internet.

How Does Broadband Internet Actually Work? is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

With just a little research and by following this step by step guide to switching your home broadband, you could soon be paying less money for a better service.

Step one – Check your contract

It is important to know whether you signed up for a contract of a fixed length when you first registered for broadband with your company. Some companies will automatically place you back into a twelve month (or longer) contract when yours expires, so you must check the information that you were originally provided with to see if you are able to switch. If you can’t find out if you are signed up for a certain length of time why not give your internet service provider a quick call? Remember that you may be able to get out of a contract early, but it will usually cost you money.

Step two – Find a great deal

Use deal comparison websites, the websites of the internet providers themselves and any review websites that you can find until you find the very best deal for you. If you are changing from a current provider, keep your eyes peeled for the following:

• Does this new deal provide faster download speeds than the company that you are currently with?
• Is the price cheaper for the same service?
• How much will you be able to download in comparison with what you can download now?
• Will dealing with the customer service team of the new company be a more pleasant experience than with your current provider?

With just a bit of research you will soon have narrowed your search down to the best deal.

Step three – Contact your current provider

Unfortunately the job of contacting your current provider must usually be done over the phone, so it is important to be confident and firm during your phone call. You need to ask your current provider for your MAC code, this stands for Migration Authorisation Code and contains all of the details regarding your current internet connection that your new provider will need. When you ask for the code, expect your current provider to try to keep you. They may offer a new and improved deal, so be firm if you are sure that you wish to change to a new internet provider. It can take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks to receive your MAC code, so don’t cancel your contract just yet.

Step four – Sign up to your new deal

Once you have received your MAC number you will be ready to sign up to the new deal that you have discovered. Depending on the provider and the connection type, they may be able to supply your connection immediately or within a few days. When you know that your new internet connection will be supplied, feel free to cancel your existing subscription to start to enjoy the internet as it should be.

How to Switch Your Home Broadband to a Better Deal is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

Step one – Shop around

There are many different home broadband providers around today that could enable you to connect to the internet. From Optus to Dodo, iiNet to Netspace, you are likely to have heard of some of the options available to you, but who can provide you with the best deal? Without considering the different options you will be unable to make your decision well, so check out the websites of the different providers, and a price comparison website that will show you the best deals out there.

Just looking around won’t help you much though, if you don’t know what you are looking for.

Step two – What to look for

As you consider the different contracts that the different broadband providers could offer you, you should keep the following in mind to help you to find the very best deal for your unique needs:

• Cost. Different plans differ wildly in price based on the connection that they provide, freebies included and the download limit. The most expensive deal won’t necessarily be the best for you, but neither will the cheapest necessarily provide you with everything you need. Consider your monthly budget before signing on any dotted lines.
• Connection speed. The speed of your connection will affect how quickly you are able to load websites, download music and find the information that you need through a search engine. The more speed you desire, the more your connection will cost you so consider how fast you really need your broadband to be.
• Download limit. Some home broadband deals will offer an unlimited download limit, allowing you access to as much music or as many movies as your heart desires. Expect to pay more for a higher download limit, so if you don’t download much don’t pay for a limit that you won’t use.
• Contract length. The days of 12 month contracts seem to have vanished as companies start to favour 18 or even 24 month deals. While these deals can certainly offer a cheaper monthly payment, remember that if you wish to change provider you may find it difficult when signed up to such a long lasting contract.
• Freebies. Do you need a wireless router or a phone to chat to friends and family through the internet? Most home broadband deals will throw in some form of router or other freebie. Ensure the products advertised are items that you need to avoid paying for something that you will never use.

Step three – Sign up

After performing your research you will hopefully have found a great home broadband deal for you and your nearest and dearest. Signing up is simple; just register with the appropriate website online or give them a quick phone call and they will give you clear instructions as to what to do next.

How to Choose the Best Home Broadband Package is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

It is estimated that the digital download industry will continue to grow massively within the next few years, causing further damage to video stores that are already struggling against competition from websites that will posts DVDs to your doorstep. In the last few weeks some large chain video stores have been forced to shut their doors for good, such as the Blockbuster outlets in Ashfield and Enmore.

We won’t see the back of all of our favourite video stores overnight, but as internet downloads are increasing in popularity almost daily, it seems that the shutting of more and more DVD rental shops is inevitable.

As the broadband network within Australia continues to improve, meaning continually faster downloads, video rental stores will have to pull something out of the bag in order to compete. Having already lost a lot of business due to DVD-rental vending machines such as Oovie, and websites like Quickflix that provide a subscription service for the renting of movies, the introduction of the Australian national broadband network looks like it could be the final nail in the coffin for traditional rental stores.

However, the high street certainly won’t go down without a fight, with many stores already thinking of innovative ways in which they can survive against the broadband revolution. Some stores are offering an online reservation service, in which a user can browse the stock online, reserve a title and simply pick it up later that day. This instant selection service could be tempting for anyone still struggling with a relatively slow broadband connection.

This online reservation system could be a win-win scenario for many high street video rental companies, as it allows for smaller premises due to not being forced to have all titles on display. Likewise, it still benefits those customers that may desire the personal touch in choosing their movies.

From specialising in niche markets, to offering an online service at the same time, it seems that those DVD rental shops willing to update their stores and offer an innovative solution to the public could still survive. Although we spend more time these days surfing the web and watching YouTube than sitting down to a movie on DVD, it seems there is still a place in our hearts for curling up on the sofa with some popcorn and a great film.

TV Downloads Could Destroy Video Stores is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

Let’s take the example of a small hotel that can be found on Google Maps. The hotel is relatively new, and doesn’t have any feedback yet from clients that have taken advantage of its facilities. Instead, the first review to appear is distinctly negative, informing all other users that a better hotel exists on the other side of the town. This review was created by the rival hotel in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the new business and, as far as any of the general public knows, could be genuine.

Likewise, there is little to no protection in place for your own name or the name of your organisation. Any other individual could use your name falsely to spam negative reviews of other companies, eventually effecting your own reputation in your niche market.

While Google insists that it has software in place designed to detect spam and false reviews, it seems to be largely ineffective against reviews that genuinely seem real but are designed to lower the credibility of a company or individual. It is possible to mark a review as spam on most websites, but many have claimed that they received no response from this action. With the only other potential route to removing spam reviews being expensive legal action, this could leave you at a loss.

Fortunately many review websites are now aware of the issue, and are starting to take steps to stop false reviews from circulating and damaging businesses all over the globe. Clever new algorithms will filter review posts in order to identify if many of a similar type have come from one computer, or if the information within simply does not line up to the business being reviewed. Some review websites offer more credibility to a review that offers more information, pushing those false testimonials that simply include a sentence or two slating the company to the bottom of the pile.

The technology to prevent review websites from being used inappropriately is still very much in development. This may not be great news to you if you yourself have suffered from attacks from a rival company or a dissatisfied employee, but consumers and businesses alike should be happy to hear that work is being conducted to ensure that all information to be found on such review websites is accurate and up to date.

Websites Determined to Tackle False Reviews is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

A temporary message found on the Blogetery.com website reads “After being BurstNet customer for 7 months our server was terminated without any notification or explanation.” The message goes on to insist that the site is doing what they can to attempt to resolve the situation.

BurstNet however have not budged an inch from their hard line position, insisting that the information to be found on the blogging platform violated the terms of service of the server, providing them with a valid right to terminate it. As the site already has a history of abuse of a similar nature, there was no sympathy to be found from BurstNet.

On the 9th of July, the FBI in America informed BurstNet of the al-Qaeda materials that were present on the servers of the Blogetery.com website. Messages from Osama bin Laden and other key leaders of al-Qaeda were reportedly discovered amidst the many blogs, as was a list of many Americans that have been targeted for assassination by the terrorist group.

The FBI don’t actually have the power to tell any website to stop operating, nor will the organisation offer any comment as to the exact situation or information that was discovered on Blogetery.com. Instead, the FBI issued a “Voluntary Emergency Disclosure of Information” request, making it BurstNet’s own decision to immediately shutdown the website, along with its many different blogs from individuals around the globe.

Due to the lack of information provided as to the cause of the instant shutdown at the outset many rumours have circulated around the blogging community, including suggestions that child pornography was found, or that the FBI were simply on a mission to silence the blogging public. Many angry users have attempted to contact BurstNet, only to find their calls not returned and their emails unanswered.

A part of the anger stemming from the user community is simply that they were unable to backup their information before the server was closed. Many others insist that the hosting company, BurstNet, should have been fighting for the website instead of simply shutting the door without any explanation. Free speech advocates are also up in arms due to the majority of the 70,000 blogs that were completely innocent also being removed from the World Wide Web.

The confusion surrounding this incident has not subsided, despite some information having found its way to the surface. Whether we shall see a return of Blogetery.com remains to be seen, but we can say for certain that bloggers around the world will be watching their own sites anxiously, wondering if a similar circumstance could place them in the same situation.

Anger from 70,000 Bloggers at Server Shutdown is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

Step one – Activate your broadband connection

Different internet service providers operate in different ways when setting up your broadband connection. Many will provide a specific date and time when your internet will be active, while others may give you a phone call. Occasionally you may have to phone the company yourself on a set day to activate the internet connection. The company that you have chosen will have provided details as to whether you need to activate your internet or not, so read the instructions closely and follow them as directed.

Step two – Gather your equipment

There are a few pieces of equipment that you will need in order to setup your home network. This equipment will vary depending whether you are receiving your internet via ADSL or via Cable, and also whether you will be connecting your computer via an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection.

Here are the building blocks that you will need for any connection:

• ADSL or Cable modem; almost always provided by your internet service provider.
• Router; some companies will provide a router but occasionally you may need to purchase this yourself. The router may be wireless, or may simply allow you to plug in several Ethernet cables to wire up several computers.
• An Ethernet cable; this cable must be long enough to reach your computer, or alternatively an appropriate wireless card or dongle can be used if you plan to take advantage of a wireless router.
• A computer; the computer must have an Ethernet point, or a wireless card or dongle connected to it.

Step three – Connect to the internet

Most internet service providers will give you a detailed instruction sheet to detail exactly how to set up your home network. Follow these instructions if they are present, otherwise walk through the following few steps:

• Plug your Modem into your internet connection port (this could be your phone line if an ADSL connection, or a Cable point).
• The Modem should contain a series of lights that will inform you whether or not you are receiving any internet signal. Wait until all of the lights stop blinking.
• Connect your router to your modem and turn the device on. Once again, there should be a series of lights that will start flashing as the router obtains a connection. Wait for these to settle down.
• Plug your own computer into the router via an Ethernet cable, or search for the appropriate wireless network. If using a wireless network you may need to enter the password (usually found on the back of the router) in order to connect.
• Enjoy access to the internet!

If you have any problems setting up your home broadband network, don’t hesitate to contact your internet service provider as they will be happy to help.

A Simple Guide to Setting up Your Home Broadband is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

What is wireless broadband?

Unsurprisingly, wireless broadband is a connection to broadband internet that doesn’t use any wires. Commonly known as Wi-Fi, a wireless internet connection requires a device such as a wireless router in order to provide you with access to the World Wide Web wherever in the house you may be.

What is a wireless router?

Routers come in all different shapes and sizes, and are either wired or wireless. These days it is easy to get hold of an affordable wireless router, as technology companies have realised that this technology is of value to almost every bustling household. A wireless router works by broadcasting the signals that come from your internet connection to a certain area. A device that is equipped with a wireless data card or a dongle, for example laptop computers, games consoles, smartphones, will then be able to pick up this signal and convert it to usable information.

Who could benefit from wireless broadband?

If you are part of a large family then a wireless broadband connection could certainly suit you well. There will be no need to run cables everywhere; instead every family member can simply access the internet from wherever their computer is.

Laptop users too could benefit from a Wi-Fi connection, as they won’t need to be restricted to sitting in one room to use the internet but can instead roam the house and surf from wherever they see fit.

However, if there is only one computer in your household that is fixed in a static position then a wireless broadband connection will be unnecessary for you. Likewise, if it’s out and about where you could really benefit from an internet connection, rather than in the home, you may be better suited to a mobile broadband deal that will allow you to hop online via the 3G network wherever you may be, at home or away from it.

How to setup your wireless internet connection

If you have decided that a wireless broadband connection would be great for you then you will need to set up a network at home that allows you to access it. Setting up a network isn’t difficult, as the majority of internet service providers will actually give you wireless equipment when you sign up for a contract that can simply be plugged in.

All that you will need to do is plug your telephone or cable line into your wireless router, install some included software from your provider and away you go! It really is as simple as that, but if you get stuck you can always contact the customer service department for some extra help.

Understanding Wireless Broadband is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

What do you use the internet for?

Perhaps the most important question is what do you actually use the internet for? Do you use it for checking emails? For downloading movies? For watching YouTube? For all of the above?

By identifying exactly what you will use a broadband internet connection for, you can start to narrow down the choices as to the different types of broadband. Why not make a list of everything that you do on the internet in a typical day now. You may surprise yourself if you think that you need a connection with an unlimited download limit when you actually only download one song a week, or if you don’t think that speed is important but spend a lot of time streaming videos from websites.

Look through your list now and write an S by anything that needs a speedy connection, a D by anything that involves downloading a lot of data and an N by anything that constitutes normal internet use, for example checking emails or looking at websites. Before long you will have an idea as to what is really important to you.

Where do you use the internet?

Do you have one home PC that is the only place that you access the internet from? Do you own a laptop that you would like to use online around home, or even away from the home?

Understanding where you use your internet connection will help you to rule out certain options. For example, say you only ever use your computer at your desk; you will not require a wireless or a mobile broadband connection. If, on the other hand, you rarely use the internet at home but would like the freedom to use a laptop on the daily commute to work then a mobile broadband solution could solve all of your needs.

How much can you afford to spend on your internet connection?

As much as you might wish you could have the fastest broadband connection going, with an unlimited data cap and wireless access on the side, you may simply not be able to afford it. Look at your budget and consider exactly what you could afford to spend each month. This will help you to prioritise what is really important to you, as faster broadband will cost more, as will the ability to have unlimited downloads.

You may wish to create a list of what you need from a broadband connection, with the most important features first and the least important last. For example:

• High download limit
• Wireless connection
• Fast downloads and uploads
• Cheap
• Ability to access the internet anywhere

Now that you know what you are looking for you will soon be able to find a deal that matches your highest priorities.

Which Type of Broadband is the Best for You? is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison