Portable Broadband

[C00P]

Hi Folks,
On a 12-month holiday recently we used a Telstra 4G USB dongle and pre-paid broadband to stay in touch. That service has expired now but we still have the dongle.

At home we have ADSL2+ through Chariot (now TPG) feeding a WiFi network that communicates with 2 laptops, a wireless printer, and an iPad. The latter is primarily used for navigation (Ozrunways)- it has GPS but no SIM.

We also have a Telstra landline telephone which gathers cobwebs as me and the Navigator now both have mobiles (they are basic- not Smartphones).

We would like to dispense with the landline as it costs as money, but Chariot say that's the only way we can get broadband from them, and if we let it go we lose our ADSL. They have quite honestly stated that if we choose to chuck the landline we will need to go to another ISP.

I'd still like to keep the WiFi connectivity. Records suggest we use about 9GB/month, or less.

Is there any way of plugging the Telstra dongle into the WiFi system so we can receive Broadband and distribute it to the computers and printer? Or is this technically impossible?

Coop

[Benz]

not sure if that will work with your existing router or modem but it would be a pricey way to do it anyway.

if you live in a populated place I know some providers do a "naked broadband" IInet is one example but i'm sure others do it too. they might call it something different though.
IINet naked net (http://www.iinet.net.au/internet/broadband/naked-dsl/?cid=sem-goo-tex-R_Generic_Naked_DSL__Naked_DSL_Plan&gclid=CjkKEQjwxN6dBRDavZLpufuu9L8BEiQA4Vx1bwetyvKp HotSHH6xvJfGEMY7PDVCqeDTHxb9rqKDkyrw_wcB)

hope that helps

Edit*
TPG do naked net so you of thought they would of suggested it if it was available in your area.
it's worth a look anyway but it is limited to largish cites so if you live in a rural place it might not be an option

[jboot51]

it is possible with something like this


D-Link DIR-506L 3G/4G Wireless N150 Pocket Cloud Router [DIR-506L] - $45.00 : PC Case Gear (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php'main_page=product_info&products_id=27111&cPath=1438&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=export_feed&gclid=CjkKEQjwxN6dBRDavZLpufuu9L8BEiQA4Vx1b__aKp9W 5ASS-mpUwSe-Et2c4RNCY3hN3BtDx_36j2fw_wcB#googlebase)


just check the supported dongle list.


There are a few different ones around.

[Mick_Marsh]

Go naked.
Interestingly, I rang TPG a couple of days ago asking if they do phone only packages. They hung up on me. I gather they are only interested in bundles.

[C00P]

Thanks Folks, That gives me a number of new avenues to try.

I was able to verify that we can have Naked Broadband at our location. Seems my current ISP is not a "Telstra reseller" and that's why they can't do it.

And my Dongle is compatible with the D-Link DIR 506L so that pathway is also open.

Now it's just a matter of working out which package will give me the best service for the least cost.
Thanks again,

Coop

[C00P]

TPG do naked net so you of thought they would of suggested it if it was available in your area.
it's worth a look anyway but it is limited to largish cites so if you live in a rural place it might not be an option

Yep, we do have naked service available here. I also would've thought they would suggest it to me. I'm with Chariot, who were apparently taken over by TPG a while back so they should've suggested it, wouldn't you think?

But maybe it's all tied up in the complexities of the wheeling and dealing over who provides a "Telstra reseller" service. Maybe I should've asked them why they can't do it. My preference would've been to stay with them because then I won't have to change my internet address.
Cheers

Coop