Westnet Australia:
Mobile broadband is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to expensive and bulky ADSL routers. Not only is it used by those on the move, but also by many who enjoy the simplicity, freedom and speed that a good mobile service can bring them.
Contracts:
Westnet offers 4 price points for their mobile broadband internet offering. Option 1 costs $24.95 per month, gives you 1GB of data and the monthly fee goes down to $19.95 when bundled with another service such as a phone, satellite or ADSL connection. For 2GB you will pay $34.95 and when bundled with another service, it will cost only $29.95. For 4GB you’re looking at $44.95 and $39.95 when bundled. For $54.95 you will get a whopping 7GB costing $49.95 when bundled. After 1 year you will have spent $398.40 for Option 1, $518.40 for Option 2, $638.40 for Option 3 and $758.40 for Option 4.
All of these cost 5c per MB in excess usage charges, so if you hit your cap, 5c per MB will be the new price going forward. Included in these plans is round-the-clock support, 1GB of web space and 10 email addresses. To get a plan for yourself, simply sign up online, order the plan that meets your needs and the modem will be delivered to you within 3 – 5 days. Follow the online instructions to install it and away you go.
Prepaid:
Unfortunately Westnet does not offer any Pay-As-You-Go or prepaid options right now. Whether it’s part of their future plan is unknown.
Coverage:
Like Virgin, Westnet makes use of the extensive Optus network and provides a connection anywhere in Australia there is a mobile phone signal. However, Westnet specialises in regional Australia more than other areas.
Hardware:
Westnet offers 2 types of modems for their mobile plans. Both are the ever-popular ‘stick’ type modems. The standard modem costs a one-off price of $99 on a 12-month contract but on a 24-month contract it’s free. The premium modem is $149 on a 12-month contract and $49 on a 24-month one.
Note: If you downgrade or cancel your 24-month contract before the term has ended, Westnet will charge you a ‘Break Fee’. The actual price of the Break Fee depends on how long it was previously active. If you cancel within 1 – 6 months of it being started the fee is $140. If it happens within 7 and 12 months the fee is $114, 13 – 18 months, $81. And finally if it occurs between 19 and 24 months they will charge you $46. On a 12-month contract the Break Fee is a fixed $35 no matter when it occurs.
To make use of Westnet’s mobile broadband service you will need 3 things:
A modern computer that meets their minimum required specifications.
A Westnet Mobile Broadband USB Modem.
One of 4 Westnet Mobile Broadband Plans.
Westnet was founded in Geraldton in 1994, has won many awards, and serves a quarter of a million users every month. Westnet won the ‘Best ISP’ award from PC Authority 2 years in a row.