Will the NBN be 'old hat' before it's even available?
I have always been of the opinion that by the time the NBN is fully rolled out it will have been overtaken by new technology.
It would appear this may be happening already.
"GOOGLE’S parent company Alphabet is working on a way to beam high speed internet into people’s homes without having to use underground cables.
While Google has been laying fibre optic cable for four years, new technology could make it possible to deliver super high speed wireless internet from “point to point”.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal Alphabet execs discussed the potential of such technology at the company’s annual shareholder meeting this week.
They believe advancements in computer chips and more accurate targeting of wireless signals have paved the way for the development of a powerful wireless device that can deliver speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second — the same speeds the company provides via fibre-optic cables.
It’s likely customers would need a special device in their home to receive the wireless signal.
Alphabet chairman Eric Schmidt said such a device would provide the same speeds as fibre and be “cheaper than digging up your garden”.
Hey Fast Eddie, dont knock the tins and string...Many a moonlight night was spent between upstairs windows with the handsome lad across the fence sharing sweet nothings ...
I haven't thought of that for years..
Incidently that was 51 years ago and I married him...lol
A beautiful story, cranky. I wasn't knocking the cans, only applauding their superiority over Mal's mess, and showing my age.
Soon the implant in the brain...turning folks into transceivers, all hooked up to the NET...except those WISE people who will refuse.
I already have a wireless connection via our ISP that provides 50 Mbps down and 15 Mbps up. That is double what most people will get via NBN Fibre to the node. That isn't the highest speed our ISP can provide but is one they are happy to sustain because of the bandwidth they have to buy from Telstra to use the Fibre Optic backbone.
However Fibre Optic is really the way to go, it is weather proof, has a very long life, suffers from nearly no interference (this is a big issue with wireless), resilient to many corrosive elements, can run for a long length before needing to be re-boosted or get to a hub (currently about 40 km), and can run for a reasonable amount of time (if battery backed up) in case of power failures. Just remember the wireless data is still sent via, more than likely, Fibre Optic cable once it hits the tower. The NBN limit of 100 Mbps is just what they are willing to currently sell us, fibre optic networking can already support 10 Gbps (called 10GbE) and if 8 X 10GbE are aggregated you can get a 80 Gbps connection.
The present NBN is a mix of old and new which replaced the 97% new. Instead of being cheaper and quicker to roll out its become dearer and slower. Google can do what they like but fibre to the premises is the best we can hope for but the govt ( Abbott/Turnbull ) give us fibre to the node/cabinet.
I whole-heartedly agree!
In my comment I was pointing out that the article was spouting 1 Gbps and sure that is a wonderful speed. But 1 Gbps is doable with Fibre Optic right now if we had Fibre to the Home/premises not this Mixed Technology that the RH M Turnbull pushes on us.
The Copper wiring is so old that cables are having to be replaced already in the older areas, but doesn't matter because whereas we were told by NBN originally it would be in place within 3 years now the only response is " No plans yet for rollout in your area" with a bit of luck new technology will be out before they rollout the substandard NBN here.
Could someone please answer me a question? You all seem very " knowing"! I'm an " older lady" and just " puddle" around on my I pad. Am I supposed to contact Telstra ( whom I'm with) and ask them to connect me to the broadband?
Is it like " digital t.v and one doesn't have a choice- broadband us " in"?
They may sound " stupid questions" to you lot- but none up here can answer and Telstra just say " stay with us", it's better! Who's right and who's wrong! I don't know!
Thank you.
When you talk of "puddling" around on your iPad, are you using your mobile phone as a link to the internet, do you even have a mobile phone? Have you got a modem installed in your home? This is usually connected to the phone plug of your landline?
If you are using only the internet that is available on your mobile phone, then you are using a very expensive way of accessing the internet, and more likely to incur 'excess' usage charges that inflate your mobile phone payment.
Look on the internet at cost comparison websites to find the best service available to you, bearing in mind that all services use Telstra's existing (and rapidly deteriorating) copper wire network anyway. Pay particular attention to the amount of data available. I am with Optus, have a bundled plan (mobile phone, landline and broadband) and pay $80/month for unlimited data which I can share between all devices (including my tablet). There may be better options available to you depending on where you live. Going with Optus was the best option for me, as I rent my home so am ineligible to connect Cable.
Good luck!! If you don't understand than you're doing the right thing, i.e. ASK, but don't limit your queries to the one telecommunication company, instead use the comparison websites first to narrow down your choices then contact each of your options to discuss what sort of deal they can do for you. Be aware however, they will use a language you're likely not familiar with "computerese", so if you're not fully aware of your needs then perhaps enlist the help of a trusted person who does understand the world of computers to act on your behalf, with you having the final say so. Personally however, I would be hesitant to enter into a contract, that way you don't find yourself beholden to a company that isn't delivering on it's promises for more than a month.
Funny face do you have a SIM card in your IPad? Is that what you connect with? Costs about $129.00 a year up front? And you can get onto the net wherever you are? If you only use it minimally it may be cheaper than being on Broadband but if you want more download Jezemega advice above is very good.
Face-to-face training is available for free or at a low cost through community colleges and libraries across NSW, Victoria and Queensland.This training will assist older Australians who have limited or no previous experience in using technology to learn new skills for the future. Click to find out where the training is available
I am paying $80 a month from now on with unlimited internet access, free local and standard Australia wide calls. This also includes line rental....so works out at $960 a year.
Previously having a landline plus paying for calls, plus paying for internet it was costing me around $1200 a year so obviously I am better off having a bundle as they are called and this way I know what I am up for each month. This package is for 24 months. We are with Westnet.
Finally I have our phones working. We were not told by the NBN chap that we had to have the phone near the modem. He knew our phone was in the kitchen so why he did not tell us that I did not know. We had to relocate the phone from kitchen into the study so we could plug into the modem which of course makes perfect sense when you know.
Also my sis in law had nbn installed today and rang on her mobile to say her phone was not working after installation this morning.
I informed her that she had to wait 24 hours before the phone would work...at least we were told that much. Our installers did not talk much at all as they were not caucasian and this was probably part of the problem we encountered.
Thank you for all your responses. No, I don't have a mobile phone. My son just put in the computer and the kids next door ( not permanents) did the I pad for me ( somehow magically!).
my son put me on thus phone plan so that's the one I use. With Telstra because they were the inky ones to " work" in the country areas.
Thanks for all your help- great suggestions all!
I'm with Telstra - phone rental incl with 100 Gig Data which I havent ever used -up yet - cost $73 month contract about to expire once more in November.
Reason I have stuck with them as whenever a problem occurs being on their copper, they first attend to their own clients then others which stands to reason.
NBN due in my area 3 years and that has been the same 3 years for years it seems.
Reason why many moan is that ppl up cheapest option I'm told on NBN which is slower. And because of that very reason why Federal Governments slowed down and went with cheaper option. Worked out only businesses will go pay for fastest etc.
And so in areas where big business is - residential get the best service as usual. Same as with roll out for gas here in Tassie. Its up the road about 1/2 mile for last 15 years and never going to come to my place. Unless the Council pays for it the Labor State government said after promising whole Island rolled out by 2003.
So whatever you all say, re Turnbull who was your favourite prior to being PM - being a leftie as are most posters here. That is just using tht same old argument that has kept us in this position.
"They" live the good life if in Public Service of any kind today starting with Canberra Federal government as well as State.
Better pay and lifestyle over last decades whilst we are armchair warriors. Over whose political team is best.
Latest amazing pay is $705,000.00 pa for Census Boss.
PM on $550,000.00 pa
More than any other leader in the world except for EU.
(It too is broke with huge overpaid public service like ours)
I am on the middle plan and have had the NBN for three days or so now....noticing no difference to speed than I had with ADSL...if there is any it is minimal.
To suggest that the technology might improve in the future is stating the obvious if you can judge the improvements since the internet first started.
When the internet became popular, those in remote areas were told that Telstra only supplied quality lines for a telephone service. These lines were not designed to carry data.
But these same telephone lines are still in use today and are being used by users who have poor service.
Of course these people love it when they are told that they will have good service one day.
While some sort of google wifi may happen one day , there is nothing faster to carry data than optic fibre.
If you know something that is proven faster (not someone's dream) than optic fibre I would love to hear about it's availability and cost.
Funny face, --- good on you and always remember there are NEVER any stupid questions-- --
I was with Telstra b4 I got NBN -- and I waited till the death knock b4 I had it put on -- because of the trouble so many were having with the NBN, like you said we do not have a choice--but I am with another server now and find they are better AND cheaper --and I have never had a scam call since leaving Telstra AND I speak to Aussies if I have to contact them.
So who are u with? I too was telstra and then went onto NBN vi Telstra and found they had automatically renewed my contract to 2 years. Bit of a cheek as had expired and I left it open in case wanted to churn.
Paying $99 a month includes line rental and all local calls free plus additional data. Not that I use much!
In some areas, like ours, the NBN won't be available for THREE MORE YEARS - thanks to Malcolm The Magnificent. Two tin cans with a string running from one to the other would give better results, and look at all OUR money he's wasted on this fiasco! les Patterson could have done a better job.