New Orcon Plans

Was reading on Geekzone today that Orcon have launched new data plans.

For $75 per month you can get 30Gb data.
For $89 per month you can get 60Gb data.
And for $99 per month you can get UNLIMITED data.

All 3 plans include unlimited national calling. I haven't looked at the conditions for the "unlimited" calling, but that's an attractive offer for some people.

For me, the unlimited data plan sounds very tempting. Having signed up for Snap at the weekend my initial reaction reading this announcement was "Darn it - should have waited!".

But it's the old story - if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Turns out that if you are on an unlimited plan, then you'll be put into a different pool of users. They have 2 pools - one for those on data limited/capped plans (eg the 30 / 60Gb plans) and one for those on the unlimited. Orcon have full details on how they are going to manage the unlimited data plans here.

To quote from Orcon's page:
"In short – the unlimited data plan is designed so you can get the most out of the internet – without being worried about a scary bill. But, the nature of how we will build the network [and depending on the number of customers downloading and how much they are downloading at any one time] means that on occasion you might see your speeds slowing".

My ADSL connection with Telecom is currently running at a minimum of 10Mbit/s, so the swap to UFB is to get an even higher speed (with less variation in speeds). Sounds like choosing Snap was the right thing yet again.

Using Android or iPhones with Snap

The Fritz!Box 7390 (that you can get with your UFB/Fibre connection with Snap) has loads of features, but the one that I'm looking most forward to is the ability for the phone system to work with Smartphones (Android OR IOS/iPhone).

What this means is that you can make (and receive) calls on your "landline" number from your mobile phone when you are at home (connected to your home WiFi network supplied by the Fritz!Box).

So my initial "fear" of having to buy new DECT cordless phones to truly utilize the Fritz!Box was completely unfounded - and in fact, completely superseded by being able to use my mobile phone with the system!

Android and iPhone apps

There are 2 main apps for use with Android phones and IOS/iPhone devices.

The first is the basic "FRITZ!App Fon" app which has all the basic phone features.

The second app is the "FRITZ!App Fon Lab" which according to the developers description "provides a technical preview of upcoming features in FRITZ!App Fon for the FRITZ!Box router.".

I've already installed the second app (on my Android phone) in anticipation of getting connected to Snap next week.

Interesting to note that the IOS/iPhone apps are compatible with a wide range of Apple devices - including the iPod Touch and iPad. So effectively the iPod Touch becomes a phone when you are at home 8-).

Links to the apps:
FRITZ!App Fon
Click here for Android
Click here for IOS/iPhone

FRITZ!App Fon Lab

Click here for Android
Click here for IOS/iPhone

Summary

Although the Android and iPhone apps aren't an official feature that Snap talk about, it certainly will be a winning feature for our family. No more "Who used the cordless phone last? Where is it?".

Snaps "modem" - the Fritz!Box 7390

For an extra $50 when signing up for Snap you can choose the 7390 versus the 7340 Fritz!Box.

This is one serious home networking device 8-).

Looking at the specs from an Australia website (see link below specs), it's got everything you could possibly want.

Want to share data? It's got the option of plugging in an external hard drive to share across the network.
Already got DECT cordless phones? Then this can be used as the base station.
Internet link down for some reason? Then you can plug in a USB 3G modem and connect that way.

Very impressive set of features and worth the extra $50 IMHO.


- ADSL2+ modem
- dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi
- 3G modem support
- 4-port Gigabit Ethernet
- 100 Mbps WAN port (making it NBN-ready)
- multi-line VoIP with PSTN fallback
- built-in answering machine and incoming fax
- integrated DECT base station supporting six cordless handsets
- two USB ports for network storage and printing
- built-in storage with DLNA support
- QoS for VoIP and IPTV
- IPv6 support

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-on-the-go/hands-on-fritzbox-7390-internet-gateway-20120825-24tw2.html#ixzz279YD8Kfa 

Signup process - with Snap

After looking at the options I've decided to sign up with Snap on a 24 month contract.

Although the termination fees are quite high in the first 12 months (you have to pay to term - ie pay out the monthly fee for the remainder of the contract), it drops to $150 after 12 months.
Considering they are offering 2 months free as well as the modem for free with a 24 month contract (in addition to 12 months free of 145GB extra data allowance), it's really a reasonable deal.

My logic is that it's unlikely Telecom will
(1) Get themselves sorted anytime soon, nor
(2) Offer a package that would better Snaps

At worst, I'll wait out the first 12 months.

But having talked with Snap several times (asking all sorts of questions), I'd have to say it's likely I'll be with Snap for quite some time.

Signup process is relatively easy (a few issues with their signup form, but nothing major).
I've started the clock on them (taking into account of course that it is the weekend), so lets see how long it takes to get up and running.

Orcon YouTube Channel

When I signed up my interest in Orcon UFB they sent me a confirmation email as well as a link to some YouTube videos.

Interesting one that explains a bit about the install process here.

Orcon Channel is here.

Nice move - I get a bit sick of reading documents, so videos are a good communication method.

+1 for Orcon for this 8-).

Snap versus Orcon

I've started putting together a table which attempts to compare the offerings from Snap and Orcon.

To cut a long story short - they seem about the same when looking at price (are we really surprised??).
Orcon has a great bonus where you don't start paying for the base plan until 2013 (you only pay for the modem rental until January 1 2013).
Snap appears to have some good bonuses (an extra 145GB per month for 6 months if you sign up for a 12 month contract), BUT you need to front up with $345 for the modem.

I still have a few outstanding questions with Orcon which once answered will allow me to update the table, but I thought it might be good to put something up now.

You can see the table as it stands today at the link here.

Below I've put together a summary of Snap Lightspeed 30 (30Mbit/s connection, 25GB month standard data allowance) and the Orcon Fast account (30Mbit/s connection, 30GB month standardard data allowance).

Further down (if you scroll within the window) you'll see the Pros+Cons that I've identified with each offering. Would be keen to hear what others think - so please feel free to post a comment.

Snap, Orcon and Slingshot

The 3 providers that are available today are:

1. Snap
2. Orcon
3. Slingshot

Are they all equal?

Well, here's what I've found so far:

Slingshot don't seem to really be a contender (yet).
If you go to their page (click here), they don't seem to really be up and running yet - the page seems to be very generic with regards to their UFB offering and asks you to sign up your interest in the service.
Oh - and when you click on their plans and pricing page, you get this:

Orcon have a great offer that means you don't pay anything for your service until 2013.
However, they do seem to have a number of Terms and Conditions (T&C's) around this offer which could means some fairly hefty fees if you disconnect early (nothing unusual about this - just something to keep in mind). Also doesn't appear that you own the modem - upside of this is that they probably replace it if there is anything wrong. Downside is that you are paying for it each month (but there are special deals where it's effectively free).

Snap seem to have the most clear-cut offering and are very upfront with early termination fees etc.
Those people that have used Snap before seem to have nothing but positive comments about them - which makes sense considering that they have been "ISP of the year 3 years in a row".

So if you are thinking of making the jump now, it really seems that Orcon and Snap are the only two contenders. Next post will be comparing the two of them for a phone line + data, with varying terms/dates to see how they stack up.

Slingshot - feel free to correct me - I'm just basing this from what I can see 8-).