Wireless Internet
 Wireless internet has taken off in Australia in recent years, and some pundits are predicting wireless broadband access will change the way people consume media in the future - with the internet becoming all-pervasive in our information-seeking, product-consuming lives.
Broadband wireless internet on your laptop is changing the way people access information – many people report using multiple media platforms (surfing the internet and watching TV) simultaneously, and activities like online shopping are becoming increasingly popular as the internet moves to more places in the home.
What is wireless internet?
Wireless internet is internet access which doesn’t use a phone line or cable network, but accesses the internet through radio signals. If you are located in a reception area you can pick up the wireless signal either through laptop or desktop computer with a wireless modem.
There are generally two ways of accessing wireless internet – through a wireless modem, or mobile card. Wireless modems can be used with desktop or laptop computers and generally require connection to a power point (although some modems such as Unwired’s can be powered by batteries). A wireless modem is more appropriate for remaining at a fixed location such as your home or work – although it can be transported very easily if you move house (or even if you want to take your modem with you to work or the library).
A mobile card is only compatible with a laptop computer, and slots into the laptop, allowing you to access the interenet anywhere within the provider’s service area. True mobile broadband allows you to roam from internet cell to internet cell in the same way you can with a mobile phone.
Who provides wireless internet in Australia?
Telstra Bigpond
Like other wireless internet providers, there are two ways to connect to BigPond Wireless broadband – through a modem or mobile card. The benefit with Bigpond’s mobile card access is that it will revert to the Telstra CDMA network when you’re outside the wireless broadband coverage area. CDMA won’t provide nearly as fast a connection as wireless broadband, but covers up to 98% of Australia’s population.
Unwired
Provides wireless internet to Sydney and Melbourne, with plans to extend into other cities soon. They provide contract-free broadband and fast internet connections by simply purchasing an unwired modem and plugging it into your computer. They also offer wireless cards which can be transported with your laptop, so you can access the internet wherever you are within the unwired network.
iBurst
Provide “true mobile” broadband, where you can access move from cell to cell in their coverage area and still be connected to the internet with your laptop. Personal Broadband Australia operates iBurst, but does not retail directly to end-users. Rather, it provides iBurst through a number of resellers, including:
- Optus
- Chilli Internet
- Concert Telecom
- Wired Sky
- UnitedIP
- SecureTelecom
- Telcoinabox
- Destra
- Tel.Pacific
- Nexon
- Wholesale Communications Group
- Commander
- Exomtel
- People Telecom
- Unitel
- Pacific Internet
- Gen-i Australia
Veritel Wireless / BigAir Wireless
Resellers of both Unwired and iBurst.
What are the benefits of wireless internet?
- Save on phone line rental – why pay for home phone line rental if you don’t use it?
- Always on connectivity – with a broadband internet connection you’re always connected, which means unlike dial-up you don’t pay a connection fee every time you connect.
- Take your internet connection with you wherever you go – with true mobile broadband you can find information on your laptop where and when you need it.
- No extra set-up fees if you move home – with a true mobile or portable wireless internet you need only take your wireless internet modem with you when you move. No extra line or cable set-up fees are payable
|
