Does the choice of ADSL 2+ router make a difference ?

[Final Attack]

I'm moving in to a new house and I'm signing up to an ISP. I'm not 100% on what voip is, but it sounds like an alternative to having a phone. Since it is free the $49 TPG plan I figure I may as well instead of paying $20 a month on a phone line. Not sure if people can ring me though ...

So my question, does the choice of ADSL 2+ router make a difference ? (choice between 3)

After some research I'm looking at all these stats and abbreviations and have NO idea what is what.

Three choices:
1. ADSL2+ 4-Port Wireless IAD (RTA1046VW)

Price = $169 (with free filter worth $25)
Default router, provided by the ISP during sign up for the above cost.

2. NetComm NB9W MAXX Wireless Broadband ADSL2+ Modem with VoIP Gateway

Price = $185

3. Netgear DG-834-GV ADSL2+ Modem and Wireless Router with Voice

Price = $195

Routers have become very confusing :s

[admin]

After having a quick gig at TPG's site :

You are signing up for an ADSL2 service with VOIP. All of the above mentioned units will suit you. They all contain a Modem / Router / Built in VOIP ports. They are known as "all in one" units. They have 4 standard ethernet ports in the back and 2 VOIP ports , meaning you can have up to 2 phones plugged in with 2 voip accounts. They are not hard to setup and can be done via a wizard. All you need is your ISP login and password.

VOIP is a phone service that runs on your internet connection. TPG will give you the following with that plan : Sign up to an eligible TPG ADSL plan and receive 500 free VoIP call minutes for calls to Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, excl. mobile phones.

Calls to landlines outside these areas will be charged at 10 cents a call untimed.

ADSL2 can be used standalone or " naked " , meaning that you dont have to have an account with Telstra because a third party owns the ADSL2 equipment at the exchange. By not having a telstra service , you have a VOIP service instead.

[urban_s0ulja]

youll need a telephone line for tpg
so 21$ a month to telstra for home line basic

id also look at 3rd party voip providers as tpg isnt too competitive

[Final Attack]

youll need a telephone line for tpg
so 21$ a month to telstra for home line basic

id also look at 3rd party voip providers as tpg isnt too competitive

Everything you just said confused me.

1. Do I NEED to pay line rental for ADSL 2 with TPG?
2. How are they not compeditive? The 500 minutes free VOIP costs me 0 dollars more to get on the $49 plan. 10 cents doesn't sound bad either

[admin]

youll need a telephone line for tpg
so 21$ a month to telstra for home line basic

id also look at 3rd party voip providers as tpg isnt too competitive

Why does he need a line with Telstra ? Its TPG's ADSL2 , not Telstras.

[urban_s0ulja]

Why does he need a line with Telstra ? Its TPG's ADSL2 , not Telstras.

TPG does not offer a public naked dsl service as yet, they have only started to trial it.

you will need a copper phone line, i dont think tpg provise on optus lines....

hence if you want adsl2+ from telstra you will need a active telephone service through telstra

i needed to change my phoneline from optus to telstra to get tpg adsl2+

[urban_s0ulja]

Everything you just said confused me.

1. Do I NEED to pay line rental for ADSL 2 with TPG?
2. How are they not compeditive? The 500 minutes free VOIP costs me 0 dollars more to get on the $49 plan. 10 cents doesn't sound bad either

might be right might be wrong...

how much do you talk on the phone? how much do you download....

if you go to a non voip tpg plan your quota will increase a fair bit....

also TPG only let you use tpg ata/modems there is no BYO option either...

[Final Attack]

Ok further into the adventure ...

I currently have a wireless router. A Netgear Range Max WPN824 v2 Wireless router. Can I just purchase an ADSL2 modem from a computer store - ie


Does bad modem OR bad router = bad speeds?

[jamesv]

Final attack - re TPG - from memory (I used to be with them) the tech service was one of the worst I have experienced (having been with Iinet, Optusnet, TPG and now Westnet.

IN fact it was non existant so I suggest you check whirlpool or similar to see if that has changed. It seems you may need tech help later on.

Just a side issue. TPG were OK in terms of providing the broadband, just totally lacked after-service.

cheers

jamesv