Wireless broadband services don’t require you to have a cable or ‘copper wire’ connection.
The most common type of wireless broadband service uses the mobile phone network and can be accessed by ‘smart phones’ or personal computers with a special receiver attached.
Some mobile broadband providers use technology called Wi-Max, which uses a specialised wireless internet network and is accessed by personal computers with a special receiver.
You can get wireless broadband access on contract or as a pre-paid service.
Monthly plan or contract
With this option you get a data allowance each month. Whether you need a plan with a large or small allowance depends on what you plan to use the internet for. The topic Things to know before you get a broadband internet service contains useful information on data usage.
It’s important to check what happens when you go over your limit—will your provider slow down your service or charge you extra?
You should also think about whether you want to be locked in to a contract and whether you’ll be hit with any penalties for leaving early.
Pre-paid
With this option, you pay for a set amount of data that you top up when you’ve used it all.
The cost may be higher than for the same amount of data on a plan with a monthly cost and you may also have to pay an extra up-front cost for the wireless receiver. However, you’re not locked into a contract and so have the flexibility to change providers (as long as your equipment is compatible).
It’s important to check whether the data has to be used within a certain time.
Where can you use it?
The most reliable wireless broadband coverage is mainly in large towns and cities.
If you need wireless internet access in a particular part of the country, especially a rural or regional area, don’t assume you will have coverage—ask the provider.
Roaming
Some mobile wireless providers allow you to connect to the internet through other carriers’ networks outside their own coverage areas—called ‘roaming’. Data you use while roaming is often charged on top of any data plan you have and may be expensive. Your phone’s display should show when you are roaming.
Wireless internet—how fast is it?
Internet companies sometimes claim their services have a ‘peak speed’ or ‘maximum speed’, or that you’ll receive ‘up to’ a certain speed—for example, ‘speeds up to 5 Mbps’ (megabits per second).
The actual speed you experience will change at different times. This is because a number of things affect the speed you get, including your distance from the nearest phone tower (or Wi-Max tower) and how many other people are using the network.
