Youcompare Broadband faqs

'On Demand' is a Foxtel service that enables you to access a library of over 1,200 movies and television shows. It does require you to have selected channel packs to view some or all of the content, as well as an internet connection so that the iQ3 can download the selected titles to your set-top box for viewing. 

Not ever show or film that goes to air ends up 'On Demand', however most titles will get added within seven days of the programme originally going to air on one of the Foxtel channels.

The Foxtel app, formerly known as Foxtel Go, is a free app that allows you to stream your Foxtel channels subscription to your mobile phone or tablet. While the app itself is free, you will still need either an active iQ3-box with channels, or a Foxtel Now subscription in order to view the channels through the Foxtel app.

On the iQ3, Foxtel has a variety of different channel packs that need to be purchased for you to have access to certain channels, and these prices can vary, depending on 'special deals' and 'offers' that may be advertised. These packs are treated as a subscription-based model, with month-to-month flat-rate payments, and this will be the only ongoing cost beyond the initial installation period.

For new customers, the standard installation fee is $100, while the iQ3 set-top box required to air the Foxtel channels is an additional $125. Note, these are one-time purchases that are needed in order to get a Foxtel connection into your home or business. Each additional iQ3 box for another room will only be $25 per month.

Foxtel has a variety of different channel packs that need to be purchased for you to have access to certain channels, and these prices can vary, depending on 'special deals' and 'offers' that may be advertised. These packs are treated as a subscription-based model, with month-to-month flat-rate payments, and this will be the only ongoing cost beyond the initial installation period.

Foxtel is a subscription-based pay television provider, that was established in 1995 as a partnership by News Corporation and Telstra, where the name is derived from both companies, 'Fox' representing News Corp. and 20th Century Fox specifically, and 'Tel' representing Telstra.

In addition to providing a multitude of cable television channels via the iQ3 set-top box, Foxtel also has the Foxtel app (formerly known as Foxtel Go), as well as Foxtel Now (a streaming alternative that requires an internet connection).

In order to connect to the NBN, you must first search for your home or business address on the NBN website, in order to verify whether the connection has gone live in your area. If the NBN has not been set up in your area, then you won't be able to connect to it until it has been installed and switched on. You will receive a letter in the mail closer to the switch-on date.

Otherwise, if the NBN has been turned on in your area, then you will have to sign up to a broadband plan through one of the many different Retail Service Providers (RSP's) such as Telstra, Optus or iiNet. Check out our broadband plans from those three, as well as a range of other providers to find the best plan for you.

RSP stands for a Retail Service Provider. These RSP's are basically the gatekeeper's between you and the internet, and as such, you will not be able to access the internet until you have signed up to a broadband plan through one of the many RSP's. Telstra, Optus, iiNet and Internode are just a handful to select from. Check out our high-speed broadband plans on offer from a selection of different RSP's, and get connected today.

Because the Australian Government has installed NBNCo as the primary wholesaler of the country's broadband line, then all forms of the NBN are compulsory to all households and business premises. Using the Multi Technology Mix, all premises will have either one of these connections: Fibre-to-the-Premise (FttP), Fibre-to-the-Node (FttN), Fibre-to-the-Curb (FttC), Fibre-to-the-Building (FttB), Hybrid Fire Coaxial (HFC) or Satellite. You will not be able to choose the connection type for your household, as that will be decided by NBNCo.

Wi-Fi is a tool used to transmit data wirelessly between various devices on a shared network. While Wi-Fi is popularly used for transmitting connections to the internet, it is not exclusively used for the internet. For example, multiple computers can still use a wireless printer without the internet, provided that the computers and the printer are on the same local network. Wi-Fi just provides the means for the computers and devices to speak to each other on a radio frequency.

Broadband is a means of being connected to the internet, and it can reach faster download speeds compared to the Dial-Up connection that broadband had replaced.

Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) / Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL)

These are wired connections that transmit data using the copper telephone lines, which are already installed into most homes and business premises. ADSL is the connection type frequently used by households in most premises as they provide fast downloads, and they do not interfere with your telephone line, whereas SDSL is more suited for businesses who require larger bandwidth for downloads and uploads. Typical ADSL speeds are between 256k and 8Mbps, while ADSL2+ did manage to improve the capabilities up to 24Mbps.

Cable

Another form of a wired connection, that transmits faster download speeds through the same co-axial cables that allows your television to pick up digital channels, such as Foxtel or Fetch. Because the network was built for these digital channels, it does have a larger bandwidth which makes cable broadband typically faster than ADSL, or at least it has the potential to reach a higher peak. Cable begins at 1.5Mbps and it can reach up to 50Mbps.

Fibre

Fibre optics is the next evolution of broadband internet, as it allows for even greater download speeds than cable, with a peak of 100Mbps. The fibre technology is the basis of what the NBN network is being built upon. Because fibre is made of glass, it is more resistant to power outages, which gives fibre a major advantage over cable.

Wireless

Wireless broadband transmits the internet connection through radio waves. Wi-Fi is the technology built with the purpose of wireless connectivity through enabled devices, and it can allow multiple devices to be connected on the same network without having to run fixed-cables through the premise. These connections are preferable in multi-story premises, or in businesses. Wireless internet can run off a broadband connection or, as we're beginning to see, run off mobile data.

Satellite

While not as fast as fibre or even cable broadband, satellite technology allows for the internet to be transmitted to premises in regional and remote areas of the country, where it is otherwise too difficult or too far out to install fibre or other form of cables. The NBN has implemented this technology using their Sky Muster satellite's to disperse the internet connections to the remote premises.

Broadband refers to the wired connection that enables households and premises to be able to connect to the internet. Acting very much like the fixed-home phone lines, a broadband connection then requires an 'outlet' in order to allow users to actually use the internet.

Wi-Fi refers to a form of an 'outlet' that is used to disperse or distribute the internet to the various devices, such as computers or mobile phones. The Wi-Fi technology uses radio waves to transmit the connection-points, so that mobile phones or computers can then connect to the internet without having to use a wired or fixed cable.

While the misconception is choosing between Broadband or Wi-Fi, the actuality of it is that they are both required in order to connect to the internet. Broadband is the cable that allows access to the internet, but the Wi-Fi, in the form of modems or routers, allows your mobile phones or computers to connect to the internet.

Australia's National Broadband Network has begun moving the nation into the digital future with its transition to a broadband network comprised of hybrid fibre coax, commonly referred to as cable. The new network provides faster Internet speed than DSL and serves up television and other entertainment needs. In Short The term hybrid fibre coaxial also called hybrid fibre coax, describes a broadband telecommunications network combining coaxial cable and optical fiber. HFC can deliver the following services via its combined cabling:

• data,
• interactive services,
• video,
• analog and digital terrestrial television,
• FM radio channels,
• voice telephony.

The benefits of HFC is the optical fibre covers long distances and requires minimal amplification and signal regeneration. Due to the size and expense of optical multiplexers/demultiplexers the optical fibre network connects to a gateway containing two transformers, rather than directly to customer nodes. Hybrid fibre coaxial has only two limitations - its signal amplification requirements and its susceptibility to signal interference.

The new cabling replaces the majority of traditional landline networks, such as copper lines. It won't affect most existing fibre lines. Approximately 21 to 27 percent of the homes in Australia's capital cities will connect to the National Broadband Network. You'll have some new equipment provided by the Network - a utility box outside your home and a connection box. Internet subscribers connect their cable modem to the connection box. Each gadget requires its own power outlet. Pay television subscribers, such as Foxtel customers, need a splitter.

National Broadband Network, abbreviated as NBN, is an Australian wholesale open access data network. It is designed, built and run under the National Broadband Network Co. Limited. The government initiative was rolled out to replace the old delivery system made of copper wire network, which is fast its approaching demise. The Australian government aimed to satisfy a rapidly growing demand for internet access to support a broad range of activities. National Broadband Network offers FTTN, FTTP, Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC), FTTC and radio communications. The difference between the various FTTXs is the distance between the subscriber and where the fibre optic cable stops. The Fibre to the Node is a mixture of copper and fibre technology that can handle a minimum of 25 Mbps. Being a wholesale service, subscribers need to contact Retail Service Providers (RSPs) to get connected to the NBN service.

All the fixed-line nbn plans operate under a similar pricing structure. The technology used does not determine the pricing. It is the same across the board. The variation in pricing is dependent on the speed of connection, the data usage, and over-the-top inclusions like entertainment bundles. Fixed wireless and Satellite may have a different pricing structure depending on the access you have to the nbn. However, the fixed-line for the National Broadband Network as comparable to those of ADSL broadband on the aspect of pricing in the lowest speed tier. Your ISP will offer faster nbn plans, but the cost increases as you move up through the tiers.

The main distinction between these two types of connections is that the FTTN uses the existing copper lines to connect an individual end-user premises to the secure street cabinet while with Fibre to the building, it is not a single end-user, but a Multi-dwelling unit that is being connected. Usually, it is an apartment block or a building similar to that. Again, this technology uses the existing copper line to cover the vertical distance between the communicating room and the end user while FTTN uses existing copper line to connect the street cabinet and the premises. Also, the copper lines used for FTTN connections are owned by the National Broadband Network, which is not the case with this building connection.

If you're new to Broadband, its worth pointing out that perhaps the most common misrepresentation you could be faced with could be the interpretation of Speed & Storage measurements. Both use the same unit measurement abbreviations, however Storage exhibits all of its characters in Upper case with the suffix 'byte', and Speed represented by lower case with the suffix 'bit'. E.g. KB (Kilobyte) & Kb (kilobit). Sound confusing? Check out the tables below for further clarification.

Data Storage Table

Connection Speed Table

Speed Conversions

• bit = Smallest unit with either the binary digit value of 0 or 1.
• bps = bits per second - data amount to pass a single point/sec.
• Kbps = kilobits per second = 1,000 (one thousand) bits per second.
• Mbps = megabits per second = 1,000,000 (one million) bits per second.
• Gbps = gigabits per second = 1,000,000,000 (one billion) bits per second.
• Tbps = tera bits per second = 1,000,000,000,000 (one trillion) bits per second.

Broadband limits shown below are a 'hypothetical' approximate gauge that _should_ be sufficient to meet the respective usage catagories. Although efforts have been made to show sparing estimates, please be aware that practical usage could be far greater.

Usage Gauge

• General Internet browsing (Surfing): 5MB per hour
• Photos/Documents (eg jpg, gif, doc, xls): 850KB per image
• Music tracks (MP3s) downloaded: 5MB per song (4-5min duration)
• Films downloaded: 2GB per film (avi, mpeg, divx)
• Online radio: Average stream at 128Kbps
• Online gaming: 15MB per hour
• Game/Movie Trailers: 100MB each
• Youtube/My Space/Yahoo/Google Video: (2MB per Min)
• Emails received per week: 500KB per email. (allowing for attachments & spam)

200MB Download Limit Per Month: Light - Beginner/Limited Use (Single)

• 4 Hours Surfing Per week
• 7 Emails Received Per week

500MB Download Limit Per Month: Light- Occasional Use (Single or Couple)

• 12 Hours Surfing Per week
• 14 Emails Received Per week
• 6 Photos/Documents (jpeg/gif,doc/xls) Per week
• 5 Music Files (MP3s) Per week

2GB Download Limit Per Month: Light to Intermediate - Frequent Use (Couple or Limited Family Use)

• 18 Hours Surfing Per week (2 people)
• 18 Emails Received Per week
• 12 Photos/Documents (jpeg/gif,doc/xls) Per week
• 10 Music Files (MP3s) Per week
• 2 Hours Online Radio Per week
• 2 Hours Online Gaming Per week
• 1 Hour You Tube/My Space/Google Video Per week
• 2 Game/Movie Trailer File Per week

5GB Download Limit Per Month: Intermediate - Regular Use (Family)

• 26 Hours Surfing Per week (2-3 people)
• 30 Emails Received Per week
• 12 Photos/Documents (jpeg/gif,doc/xls) Per week
• 15 Music Files (MP3s) Per week
• 3 Hours Online Gaming Per week
• 2 Films (AVI,MPEG,DivX) Per month
• 2 Hour You Tube/My Space/Google Video Per week
• 2 Game/Movie Trailer File Per week

10GB Download Limit Per Month: Intermediate to Heavy - Large Family/Small Business/Serious Users

• 30 Hours Surfing Per week (3-4 people)
• 60 Emails Received Per week
• 30 Photos/Documents (jpeg/gif,doc/xls) Per week
• 20 Music Files (MP3s) Per week
• 4 Hours Online Radio Per week
• 8 Hours Online Gaming Per week
• 3 Films (AVI,MPEG,DivX) Per month
• 4 Hours You Tube/My Space/Google Video Per week
• 4 Game/Movie Trailer Files Per week

20GB+ Download Limit Per Month: Heavy to Extreme - Home Network/Small Business/Professional Users

• 50 Hours Surfing Per week (4+ people or professionals)
• 150 Emails Received Per week
• 100 Photos/Documents (jpeg/gif,doc/xls) Per week
• 30 Music Files (MP3s) Per week
• 7 Films (AVI,MPEG,DivX) Per month
• 30 Hours Online Gaming Per week
• 10 Hours Online Radio Per week
• 7 Game/Movie Trailer Files Per week
• 8 Hours You Tube/My Space/Google Video Per week

ADSL is short for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, and is a type of broadband technology that allows data to be transmitted through your local phone network.

Wireless is an emerging technology that will soon match and overtake the popularity of other current Broadband types. Connecting to the Internet can be made almost anywhere by accessing 'Hotspots' which are hosted in various locations, so you don't need a telephone or cable line. Wireless technology is similar to Mobile Phone technology, as it adopts a similar methods of transmitting data via radio waves. The convenience of a cordless environment together with the freedom of mobility makes Broadband Wireless very appealing.

OptusNet is another name for Optus. Used to describe broadband and dialup services for the ISP. The term Optusnet is not commonly used at persent. Click to see OptusNet plans

Internet Banking and Online Shopping is generally a safe practice as most services now days have superior encrypted technologies and security in place to protect transactions. Many people are regularly paying bills, banking and shopping on the Internet these days. However, any real concern that you need to consider primarily lays at your end and not necessarily with the Business or Bank. For example, storing Passwords, personal information and account details on you computer is definitely a No No, as dangerous programs perform ‘Phishing’ & ‘Sniffing’ techniques are out there seeking to acquire you’re details. If you don’t happen to take adequate precautions in regards to using appropriate types of Protection, this could amount to a potential disaster waiting to happen. Prevention is better than cure so protect your information at all times. If you’re still unsure, it’s recommended that you contact your bank for further advice.