I am looking at the Netspace ADSL service in my area (Hobart). The plan is the Home 256 (256K/56K) and goes for $59.95 per month, with 2Gb of downloads in peak, 2Gb offpeak. What I am concerned about is the modem costs. I have a laptop and am undecided about whether to get and ethernet or USB modem. How much do ADSL modems usually retail for? I'd probably be looking at USB as my machine has three USB ports..one for mouse and printer leaving one for the modem. Are there any downsides in using this? Are there any other costs that people have found out about after they have signed up. And yes, 4Gb per month will be plenty for me considering I am currently getting by fine by downloading 450Mb a month, and that includes music! I have also noticed that CAA takes up a lot of my limit...

Thanx guys...Cheers...Mitch

Just get the Billion modem/router for $180 odd, its both a USB and ethernet modem and works well. As far as hidden costs go, well there arent any on that plan, as i believe you are simply shaped back to 56k if you go over the download allowance.

Some say USB is no good...i have one machine on USB and one on ethernet and there are no problems with either, and either work just as well for me.

Only costs are the setup fee, modem and any line filters you need for your phone lines. And of course the monthly access fee

i 2nd the vote for a billion, very good modems, lots of features

3rd vote for billion. an excellent modem if you know how to properly configure it as a router.

stay away from usb. its fine when it works, but when it doesnt it will have you ripping your own hair out.

I have NFI on this...

whats the difference between USB and ethernet? I know what a USB port is though... but why would you want an ethernet? aren't they for multiple computers or something?

I have the D-Link DSL-200 USB modem. The only problems I've had with mine is when it drops out, I have to reboot the computer.
As for netspace, I payed $400 setup for a 6 month contract. That included the modem, 3 line filters, and the first months access payment.

Checkout www.broadbandchoice.com.au before making that last decision on who to go for as there might be a better deal about.

You mention that you think 4gb will be enough esp that you d/l 450mb a month now, but trust me, once you have a faster connection you will be downloading more. ex: Im on crappy dialup, when I visit my friend with cable, I d/l the same amount in 1hr that it takes me a whole month hahaha.

I have just been checking some stuff out and will probably look at getting a wireless setup, will make it much easier for me, remote access point and ADSL modem combined. They retail for around $350-400 plus a wireless card for my laptop! I have a built in antenna so that is no big deal. I have seven phone sockets in my house, will I need to purchase a filter for EVERY socket or just the one that my modem is connected to?

Cheers...Mitch

With 7 sockets its best to get a centralised splitter and get a techie to install it for you. Filters shouldnt be used on each socket if there are more than about 3 sockets.

ADSL works by utilising the unused parts of the total signal sent through your phone line. Thereofre to split the signal up you need a filter on each plug that has a phone on it. Basically the filter just cuts out all the non "voice" related signal and then sends the rest to the phone.

Netspace is definately the best current choice in Hobart, we've been using it for almost a year now and haven't had any troubles. To keep the installation cost down we bought our ADSL modem of Ebay.

The difference between getting USB or Ethernet pretty much depends on how many computers you wish to run and the setup you wish to use. We have 3 computers in our house using the connection so we opted for a Ethernet modem which we run into an 8 port switch which also has an ADSL port. So basically it shares the net connection for us...

But yeah, if I had a laptop I'd go wireless like you say....freeeedom

Hmm...I'm rambling

Wireless is looking the way to go for me. Will have to spend around $400 but I reckon that in the end it would be worth it! Sittin out on balcony, sippin coffee, surfing CAA

USB has lower bandwidth than ethernet. Try copying an mp3 to a flash drive, then try copying the same file over an ethernet network. I can guarantee the ethernet network will be quicker!

btw. i 4th the vote for the billion modem

USB still has bandwidth beyond what most ADSL plans offer though....so you wouldn't actually notice the difference.... From memory USB can transfer up to 12Mbps which is far above your standard 256/512Kbps ADSL transfer rate....