Broadband Plan For Your Home

Alex Martin is a writer, editor and an independent business consultant. With expertise in consumer electronics and broadband service backed by 8 years of experience in the Telco industry, he’s up to speed with the latest innovations in digital & consumer technology. He endeavours to share his insights in ways ordinary consumers can understand. He is also more than willing to help consumers choose the right broadband plans accordingly.

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Different Types of Internet Connection

Let’s face it, most of us cannot live without the Internet. With the convenience it offers to every user, it has become an ultimate source of information. The best thing about it is that the technology never stops to improve.

Today, you can have access to the Internet wherever and whenever you want. You can simply use your mobile devices like smartphones or tablets to browse the net. This is also one of the main reasons why many entrepreneurs want to implement online marketing for their business.

So when does the most reliable tool becomes unreliable?

It only comes down to one thing: slow connection.  There are different factors affecting the connectivity and computer performance when using the Internet. Apart from choosing the right Internet service provider, you should also check the type of your connection and specs of your device.

Different types of Internet connection

Dial-up

This is one of the first Internet connections. You can have access by using a modem connected to your computer and your landline phone. The modem device will send signals to the main network with an average transmission rate of 150/kbits.

Digital Subsriber Line (DSL)

DSL is one of the most popular connections today. It is provided by an ISP through the telephone network. Unlike dial-up, it uses high frequencies and converts the audible frequencies of the line for regular phone communication. This means it does not interfere with the telephone line when using the Internet.

Frequency bands and network wires are separated by filters on your telephone units. It has an average transmission rate of 8 mbit, with the distance greater than 2km. It can reduce the bandwidth usage on the wires and data rate as well.

Cable

The cable modem converts analog data signals to digital form. It can transcribe signals over cable lines much faster compared to a telephone modem. It has an average speed of 1.5 mbit. You may also upgrade the connection depending on your package.

FiOS (Fibre Optic service)

Fibre uses light over an optical network. The advantage of fibre optic is it can provide better speed than traditional copper wire connection such as cable connection or DSL.

Checking your device

The specs and configuration of your computer can affect your connection. Check out your add-on programs or system updates. Make sure to close the program after use.  Online tools like spyware can slow your system down by interfering with your browser and monopolising your Internet connection.

Spyware tracks down your network usage that can cause delays. This can get worse when there are multiple spyware programs running at the same time. If network system is loaded, you may lose your connection.  You can prevent this problem by running a system scan disk program regularly. This will help you trace the errors and clean out your system. 

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Does Your Business Need a Mobile App?

In the digital age, you should also consider improving your mobile presence to attract, retain and communicate well with your clients.

Today, more and more consumers are using their mobile devices to look for products and services. This is why most business owners want to develop new tools to make it more convenient not only for them but also for their customers. The only question is whether to create a dedicated app for their brand or develop a mobile-friendly website.

Your strategy depends on your requirements. At times, you can just use your website. You don’t necessarily need a mobile phone app unless your products are using a phone feature like GPS, push notifications, or accelerometer. If you are struggling to choose which where to go, here are some guidelines that may help you:

If you want to take advantage of the phone’s advanced features, you must consider your audience when designing a mobile app. If you are a little tight with your budget, you may focus on one platform, such as Windows, iOS, Blacberry, or Android. It is advisable to do make a market research so you would know where to focus. There are also some tools you can use to develop multiple platforms at once. One of the most popular is the PhoneGap.

If you don’t want to develop a phone feature, it is highly recommended to make your website more interactive and responsive. You need to adjust your interface and make it more mobile-friendly. Keep in mind that most people are using mobile phones and tablets to gain access to the Internet. It would be difficult for them to engage with your website if it is not compatible to the mobile interface.

If you want to expand your network, it would be better to develop your own mobile app. This can make the transactions much easier. Just make sure you are working with experienced developers to avoid discrepancies and other problems.

As many business models evolve with the new forms of advertising, it is quite imperative to have diverse business strategies. Expanding your network and using the right tools efficiently can definitely bring you success.

Internet access is no longer a problem these days. There are now companies offering wireless broadband plans.  Look for a reliable provider and choose the best plan that will suit your preference.

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5 Ways to Improve Your Broadband Connection

Up until now, the Internet is one of the biggest and most reliable sources of information. Even large companies are now switching to digital marketing to promote their products and services. The evolution of the Internet has become more significant to everyone. Developers and programmers are now doing their best to provide a better experience for users. Convenience and availability are the primary concerns and broadband puts all types of information within a few keystrokes.

Troubleshoot 101

There are many factors why you’re having a slow connection. Most people think it’s all because of their broadband provider. This is not necessarily the problem. There are many things you need to check. This includes your computer settings, wireless hardware, and the device you are using. To give you a hand, here are some simple steps you may follow to improve your Internet connection:

Update your browser

If you’re having a problem browsing the web, you might need to upgrade it. Check your browser for updates or try switching to different browsers. Compare the loading time from the previous one. For example, switching your browser from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox could potentially reduce the loading time. 

Move your router

The location of your router might also affect your connection. Try moving your router. Ideally, it should be placed on higher objects—on top of a bookshelf for example. If you want to maximise the coverage of your connection, you might want to try to install it somewhere in the centre of your house, or maybe at the top of the staircase. It is also advisable to set up your own office or entertainment room. This can help you speed up your Internet connection. 

Keep in mind that the closer you are to the router, the better connections you can get. Never stick your router in a cupboard. This is a common mistake for most subscribers.

Tweak your settings

Your router might have different settings, which can affect your network. You can adjust these settings to improve your connection. Read the router’s manual or contact your provider to get the right settings and proper configuration.

Securing your network

It is important to secure your network at all times. Sharing the same network can slow down the connection. Make sure your channel is password protected if you don’t want to get abused by “freeloaders”.

Reduce the bandwidth

Background computer applications that update itself automatically can also affect your Internet connection. Examples of these background computer applications are Windows updates, media player pop-ups, chat-applications, open website tabs, and security scans. These little things can unknowingly eat up your broadband speed. Try to reduce these applications by using your task manager.

These are just some of the steps you may follow to improve your Internet connection. If you’re still having problems with your broadband, contact your service provider for more tips and information.

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What's In Store for Fixed Wireless Broadband Users

Australia mapped out the NBN footprint where 93% of Australian territories can access the internet via fibre broadband, 3% via satellite broadband and 4% via fixed wireless broadband.

Fixed wireless broadband will be dedicated to the 4% of Australians living in the outer metropolitan area. What’s in it for them?

Fixed wireless broadband is no different to a fixed-line fibre broadband service. The difference between the 2 will be based on how data is transmitted. Fixed wireless broadband delivers data through the air while fibre broadband delivers data through fibre optic cables.

How it works is simple.

Fixed wireless broadband service is delivered by radio communications from antennas that send signals directly to small antenna installed outside the home. This small outdoor antenna is connected to the Network Termination Device or NTD, which will be installed within the premises. This small outdoor antenna also should ideally point at a fixed wireless tower to keep the line of sight clear.

The expectation from a fixed wireless broadband is that it should be more steady and consistent. Comparing fixed wireless broadband with mobile wireless services, fixed wireless broadband remains unaffected by the number of people who are moving in and out of a certain coverage area. By the word itself, internet services is delivered to a fixed number of premises within a particular coverage area.

There are a lot of ISPs in Australia that are recognised resellers of the NBN fixed wireless aside from fibre broadband.

For instance, Telstra, iiNet and Activ8me offers fixed wireless broadband and allows customers to choose the plan that suits their need best. Customers are allowed to select their monthly data allowance whether 10GB, 50GB, 100GB, 250GB or 500GB per month. Next, they prompt customers to select their speed. NBN fixed wireless can have a download speed of up to 12 Mbps to 25 Mbps. Activ8me also allows customers to choose what their plan term would be. Is it a no contract term of a 12-month plan term?

Find out if your area is already covered and eligible for a fixed wireless connection. Ask your current ISP if it is possible to switch to the NBN. If not, choose ISPs that can service your location. Also, prior to connection, read up on how you need to prepare for your home on connection day.

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Do We Really Need the Infrastructures for Fibre Broadband?

Admit it. As we inch forward to better technologies and advancements, the traditional means of living undoubtedly needs to be supplemented with information and communications technology or ICT services.

The question ‘do we really need the infrastructures for fibre broadband?’ requires an answer in the affirmative provided that we are in the same frame of mind. Decision makers, which is usually the government, ought to be on the same page.

To require fibre broadband just to improve the experience of checking emails, downloading and uploading files, browsing the web, streaming videos and playing games is all but a measly part of the equation. In fact, internet traffic that comes from these internet activities account only for 50% of the traffic that fibre optic networks need to accommodate.

Fibre broadband can provide more to the table.

Infrastructures for fibre broadband is necessary if we look into the provision and delivery of social and economic services; services that every society needs and must be provided in spades.

As traditional ways of delivering social and economic assistance run dry through the years, it follows that we need to think of ways where we can improve our delivery channels and address fundamental problems with a reliable technology. Fibre broadband is one. It is probably the answer to address the digital divide.

We need fibre broadband to increase access and delivery of basic social services such as healthcare, education, employment opportunities, access to information and security to name a few.

With a fibre broadband, we can finally tap the following resources to improve the quality of life most especially of people who truly need it.

·        E-medicine or telemedicine

Remote patients can be treated and can consult doctors and nurses with a broadband connection. There is no need to wait for a specialist to travel to their area before they can receive the attention they need. Conversely, patients can nurse themselves back to better health without going to the hospital.

·        Teleworking

Employees now have the alternative to work within the comforts of their home. There are now more employment opportunities as the means to deliver work goes beyond the traditional way of going to the office. Freelancing and home-based jobs come in handy. It helps employees and the effort of society to reduce traffic, pollution and congestion as less people will need to commute their way to earn a living.

·        Distance learning and virtual schools and universities

It is true that one of the sad realities we face is the miseducation of children. A reason why this happens is primarily because of the distance children need to travel to go to the nearest school in their area. There are far flung places too that makes it inaccessible for teachers to go to, let alone transport a blackboard and some books.

Fibre broadband can truly facilitate distance learning or enable the existence of virtual universities. Through the internet, teachers won't be as separate from their students. They can provide the education they need via the Internet. Video conferencing, e-blackboards and school modules updated in file sharing applications can make distance learning and virtual universities a reality.

·        E-commerce and small business assistance

Broadband networks can be used to assist a variety of business management functions. For instance, at least 60% of beef cattle in Quebec, Canada are sold through livestock e-auctions. Other countries can use this way of auctioning products to reduce costs and increase revenues.

ICT may not be the absolute solution, but it is a solution worth considering and worth investing on. So yes, we need fibre broadband infrastructures provided that decision makers prioritise the delivery of social services more than the ease of doing internet activities such as web surfing, file uploading and downloading and more.

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Phishing Guide 101: How to Recognise a Phishing Attack

Phishing scams take many forms. It can be in the form of a seemingly legitimate Facebook message or a website, and its aim is to steal your identity. With the proliferation of phishing scams online, it is important to be aware how a particular scam looks like. It is the only way to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

 In this article, we will discuss the basic type of a phishing attack – a fake email.

A Phishing email would normally tell you that you recently won a prize. Some are trivial as a new phone or something outrageous as a million dollars. Unless you joined an actual contest recently, it's a scam. 

Before clicking on any link attached in the email to claim your prize or to give out any of your important details such as your credit card number, ask yourself the following questions first.

Is the sender's email address legitimate? In 2009, PayPal was a victim of a phishing scam where they were allegedly sending out emails to their clients and requesting them to verify their accounts by clicking on a link. The phishers used '[email protected]' as the sender’s email address, but the legitimate email address of PayPal is ‘[email protected]’.

Is the email greeting generic? 'Dear bank account holder', 'Dear customer' or 'Dear user', are examples of generic greetings, a popular style of phishers. Secure websites such as banks and even PayPal would normally address you are using your first name or your complete name.

Are there misspellings in the email? Misspellings and grammatical errors are giveaways since companies would definitely hire a writer to create their email content. It’s part of their branding and credibility. If you are looking at an email that contains these errors, you are definitely looking at a fake one.

Is there an attachment in the email? '.exe' files attached in emails normally contain viruses and malware that creeps into your system once opened. Do not open any attachments unless you are super sure.

Is it requesting sensitive information from you? If it is asking you to click on a link for you to enter your bank account details, your credit card's security code or any other sensitive information, don't. Banks and other secure websites won’t request this from you ever so casually in an email. They would either call you and seek your reponse via snail mail.

If an email went straight to your spam folder, do not bother opening it and entertaining the scammer by responding to it.

Do not give out your email address in public websites such as forums or blogs. Most forums and blogs today will give you the option to hide your email when posting a comment.

If the email's content is dubious, verify it online. Scammers do not only target one person, and it is likely that one or 2 of its failed victims would have written about it somewhere else.

Protect your accounts by changing your passwords frequently. It helps to write your passwords on a piece of paper and varying it across different accounts.

Guard yourself against spam and your computer with a firewall or an anti-virus software. Prevention is your best protection.

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Fibre Broadband Benefits for Businesses

  A fibre broadband connection is the best and efficient way to connect to the Internet. If there is a hierarchy of broadband connections, fibre would be at the apex. Aside from homes, a fibre broadband connection benefits businesses in so many ways. But how exactly?

In cloud computing

To experience the convenience of cloud computing, a super fast Internet connection is a must. Cloud computing is a technology that is hard to pass up given the many benefits it can provide 21st century businesses.

It is a cost-effective way to host software and data

Software and data can be accessed remotely as computer hosting is no longer required

Cloud computing services are easy to upgrade

Security is not an issue

Provides flexibility as businesses search for new ideas

You may  be using cloud computing services such as Dropbox or Basecamp already. However, with a fibre broadband connection, you can use a wave of more advanced, business-specific cloud applications such as Google Docs.

In communication

Phones are not the only sources of communication if businesses want to contact prospects and be contacted in return. They need to move on from copper-based phone systems that are not only inefficient at times, but can also be expensive.

The beauty of having a fibre broadband connection for your business is that you are not only limited to having an internet connection. You can use the same connection to power up your phone systems.

You can avoid the surprise of huge phone bills for all the local and international calls you have so far made. VoIP technology is the best way to manage your calls and enjoy phone functions such as call routing and voice mail. You can also use Skype and other sophisticated video conferencing platforms without the buffering if you need to be in touch with your partners and staff located overseas. Using fibre broadband for your communication (and collaborative) requirements also helps lessen your travel expenses. You save money while you create and maintain business relationships from all over the world.

In improved website functionality

Especially if a significant bulk of your business lies in the sales that will be generated by your website, you need a fast and reliable internet connection to ensure that nothing is wasted.

A fibre broadband connection lets you improve your website’s functionality. You can add new products and services when you have to and you can add / share more information to your customers and prospects by updating the back end of your website. 

In providing work flexibility

With a reliable internet connection in the form of fibre, you can have what most business owners and employees want: a flexible work plan. With cloud computing in place, you can remotely access and store your important documents and programs anywhere you might be. You and your employees can work at home and your business will never sleep.

Flexibility can also be attributed in the way communication becomes seamless when one connects to the internet. Say goodbye to skyrocketing phone bills since there is now a way to ensure that no phone calls are missed.

A fibre broadband connection can put a lot more to the table aside from those just discussed. Any benefits you would like to add?

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Phishing Websites: How Not to Bite the Bait

It may seem like you are viewing a normal email sent by your bank, but if you do not pay attention close enough, you might be dealing with someone that is not your bank, but a scammer.

This is what usually happens if we make ourselves blind to these fraudulent possibilities and leave all the suspicion behind. After all, an email from your “bank” requesting you to confirm your details over an email is suspicious enough, isn’t it?

This is just one of many examples of phishing, a form of online identity theft.

The aim of a phishing scam is to make internet users disclose sensitive personal information to fake websites. I think we are more alert to fraudulent websites these days, but it does not change the fact that there are still scammers who continue to come up with ways to trick us in disclosing our personal information.

What are the characteristics of phishing websites?

Visual similarity.

PayPal and MSN were unfortunate victims of phishers sometime in 2009. The phishers made a fake version of their websites by cloning the appearance of the website, including the content to confuse the account holders. Definitely, a victim who enters his login credentials on the fake website will be at risk. The fields completed by the account holder will be captured easily and what will happen next is a different story.

Different URL.

URLs of phishing websites can be slightly different or completely different from the original one. Since phishing websites clone websites that you are familiar with, check the URL composition if you are suspicious. Beware of URL spoofing by checking the URL composition every time you are directed to a new page.

Website address does not start with ‘https:’

Websites that require internet users to enter their personal data such as usernames, passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and social security numbers have SSL or Secure Sockets Layer to protect entered information. The absence of ‘https:’ should be your signal not to proceed.

Aside from being extra careful with the websites that you view and share your sensitive information with, exercise the same caution whenever you receive suspicious email in your inbox.

Emails are used as baits also by phishers and if you do not want your identity compromised, do the following safety precautions:

If you find the email suspicious, do not open any links or files attached

Never reply with your sensitive information. For instance, a bank will not request you to confirm your details casually through an email. They are most likely to call you to get your attention.

Never underestimate spam filters from your email provider or your browser. Install and update your anti-malware and anti-virus on your computer as well.

Confirm your suspicion by looking at the construction of the email. Most phishing emails have misspellings and grammar errors.

Even if organisations have begun employing strict security controls against phishers, it is crucial to take a proactive stance against these scammers on your own. The best protection against scammers is your knowledge about phishing.

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3 Tips for Safe Internet Browsing

It is a fact of life that a lot of us use the Internet. We are on it 24 hours a day without us intending to or knowing it. With laptops, desktop computers, smart phones and tablet computers that sell like hotcakes (add to that the affordable broadband plans ISPs offer to targeted consumers), it is not surprising that everyone is, indeed, online.

The convenience of the Internet is at our fingerprints, but that does not mean we should not address the risks we inevitably expose ourselves to as we browse the Web. Internet browsing should still be done with utmost caution.

Outlined below are 3 tips we think are helpful for safe internet browsing.

Keep a well-updated web browser

If you are using Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer or Google Chrome, always choose 'Yes' if it prompts you of an update. Just as the Web is full of information, it is also full of security vulnerabilities such as viruses in pop-up ads, spyware and other malicious items.

Make it a habit to your keep your web browser to the current version. You become less vulnerable to the risks associated with web browsing.

Do not open malicious content

If an ad suddenly pops up on your screen asking you to click on it to claim a prize, don’t. Likewise, do not click on deceptive links or clickable graphics that will lead you somewhere since it is usually not good.

Be smarter when it comes to ads, links and clickable graphics that suddenly appear on your screen. Especially if you never even joined any contest to win something begin with, the purpose of it popping on your screen is anything but pleasant.

To stop ads from appearing on your web browser, use the blocking software built for the web browser that you are using. Further, if there are dubious extensions that were miraculously installed by a third party, disable it immediately.

Make sure it is encrypted

If you are sharing any of your sensitive information online such as your name, a password, your credit card number, your bank details or your social security number, make sure that it is a secure website.

How will you know if it is secure? There are 4 popular indicators and these are found before every URL on your web browser. A gray globe, an orange warning triangle, a gray padlock and a green padlock.

If at the beginning of the URL is a gray globe, it means that the website does not supply identity information.

If it is an orange warning triangle, it means that the website does not supply identity information also.

If it is a gray padlock, it means that the website is verified.

Lastly, if it is a green padlock, it means that the website has been verified using an EV certificate. EV stands for Extended Validation. A popular website that has an EV certification is PayPal.

Additional tips:

Since there is hardly anything free in the world these days, do not ever provide your private information just to get something for free online. You will never know how your information will be treated by those managing the website.

Free content is not without any risk. Anything you download for free such as music, movies or videos can possibly contain malware and viruses.

Do not rely on your web browser to protect you. Be cautious too about the websites you visit. Do not readily share your information online unless you are sure that the website is secure. Vary your passwords from website to website. If your memory fails you, come up with a password that is hard to crack.

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Is Your Internet Being Monitored? Signs that Indicate You Are

Knowing that your use of the internet is being monitored can be an uncomfortable thing to know. You tend to be extra cautious about what you view, and sometimes you forego loading a website on your browser, mainly because you don’t want the person tracking your online activities from assume anything about you as a person.

How can your internet activities be monitored anyway?

When state legislations allow it

According to a Reporters Without Borders March 2013 report, there are 5 countries in the world that has its governments actively involved in monitoring and spying online activities of personalities they believe pose a threat to the state. These countries are China, Vietnam, Bahrain, Syria and Iran.

Various accounts of human rights violations and torture have been recorded following the arrests of the concerned people and their respective computers. We assume that today in the 21st century, we are all moving forward  technology-wise and ideal-wise. Apparently, it is prudent that we should take it with a grain of salt.

When using a computer at work

On a lighter note, internet activities can be monitored too, especially if you are working for a company. Definitely, your employer has secrets under his sleeves and they want confidential information to remain confidential among their employees. Even if this line of trust is strongly established, employers would not want to take the risk of having their private information leaked and be benefitted from other than them.  

While states that spy on their citizens’ computers is hard to accept, employers who decide to monitor their employees’ use of the internet is. It is their right after all for proprietary reasons. They can install tracking programs on their employees’ computers and limit their use of the internet as they see fit.

Even if you feel like your personal time online is being watched over by someone you do not know, invest on your skepticism and be proactive about it. It would not hurt to have some of these preventive measures enforced for your peace of mind and for your safety online.

Website encryption. You know that the transmission of data between your browser and the website you are viewing is encrypted if there is an 'https:' on your browser before the website address. Through encryption, you can be sure that no third party is viewing your online activities. Encryption can protect you from identity theft too.

Install an anti-spyware software. Protect your computer from threats and viruses that can change the way you browse the web. Spyware, when left undetected and unaddressed, can gather your personal information and also change settings on your computer, software and browser. It can even slow down your internet speed.

Use a safe and secure password. Especially if you are accessing websites that require and store some of your confidential data, such as your banking details and your credit card number, it is essential that you have a strong password to protect it. 

Always logout. If you are using a variety of devices especially those that are not yours (a friend’s computer, a computer you rented in the cafe, etc.) make sure that you logout all your personal accounts that you will open on those platforms.

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Modern #technology is changing agriculture for the better, helping farmers improve their crops and grains.

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Reasons Why You Should Do Regular Internet Speed Testing

Conducting regular internet speed test is more than allowing you to see if you are indeed getting the internet speed quoted to you by your internet service provider. What are the reasons why you should do it regularly starting today?

First, you will discover what your real internet speed is. Internet speeds naturally fluctuate. Your internet speed may be good today, but you cannot expect the same quality the next day. Hence, the result you get from one internet speed test does not apply during the hours and days to come. Testing your internet speed regularly allows you to know how fast your connection really is. It validates your internet service provider’s advertised speed.

Second, regular internet speed testing lets you know if the problem you are experiencing with your internet is coming from your internet service provider or not. For instance, you are getting a download speed of 15 Mbps only to find out that it has been reduced to 5 Mbps suddenly. You know immediately that the problem is something your internet service provider need to fix for you.  

In the same vein, if your internet speed test’s result is positive, you can deduce what other aspects of your connection you need to troubleshoot instead. The modem-router may not be configured properly. Your neighbours may be leeching off your internet since your WiFi is not protected with a password. Or your computer may have been infected by a malware, thus secretly affecting your bandwidth.

Third, regular internet speed testing ensures that you are getting the internet speed that you are paying for. In relation to the first reason, you need to validate your internet service provider’s advertised speed. It is not difficult to be attracted to these advertisements, especially if the quoted speed and the promos meet your needs.  Take time to test your internet speed. It helps you put value to your money.

Fourth, you know whether it is possible to run an application on your computer or not. If you are not sure if your internet connection will allow you to perform certain tasks online such as joining a video conference with your bosses while you work from home or playing Massively multiplayer online role-playing (MMORPG) games, better consult with the result of your internet speed test first. It is a good way to manage expectations and limitations with your internet use.

By conducting regular internet speed testing, your entire internet experience can be heightened. You get to ensure the quality of the TV show you are streaming, the HD video you are watching or the audio file you are listening to. You get to manage delays and frustrations that occasionally stem from a slow internet speed.

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Fibre Optic Cable VS Copper Wires: A Wired Battle

Today, with news about the National Broadband Network sprouting like mushrooms everywhere, the term fibre optic cable naturally comes to the fore. It is a kind of internet connection that Australians have the option to choose if their current location is covered in the fibre optic footprint.

A lot has been said about fibre optic internet and some households and businesses have switched already not knowing what is in store for them and what lies underneath the promise of super fast internet speeds. Ultimately, with this broadband option comes the discussion of what fibre optic cables are and why is it strongly embattled with the soon-to-be-defaced copper wires. Just how different are these kinds of cables from one another?

Fibre Optic VS Copper

Both wires are different from one another, and the glaring distinction between the 2 almost always lies in the price. Fibre optic may not be exactly a new technology as it dates back its existence in the late 1970s, but it took a great deal of recent research, development and resources before fibre optic cables were designed for delivering an internet connection to households and businesses. With resources geared towards the development of these relatively new cables, fibre optics are naturally priced higher than copper wires.

Aside from the price, these 2 kinds of wires have very different compositions and features from one another. Copper wires are made of different metals and not just plain copper. These are also comprised of nickel, manganese, cobalt and iron. Copper wires can be straight or braided. Straight copper wires are able to transmit more energy or data while braided copper wires are more flexible. Fibre optic cables, on the other hand, are made of molten silica formed into glass strands. These are fine and hairlike capable of transmitting data pulses at the speed of light. Since the strands are thin, these cables are more capable of transmitting data than copper wires.

Among these 2 kinds of cables, fiber optics are safer to use. Since it is not electrical, these are non-conducting. It does not pose fire and shock hazards, and as such are necessary in urban environments where weather conditions can be erratic. Copper wires, on the other hand, are very open to these dangers. Especially for poorly maintained copper wires that look like crazy strands of spaghetti noodles, all these can ignite even with just a small spark.  And with the growing number of households trying to get an internet using traditional copper wires, it is just a matter of time that the wire congestion and the kind of infrastructure are improved with a better and safer alternative.

How to Solve the Dilemna

Choosing what kind of internet connection to go for is decided no other than you, the consumer. A fibre optic internet connection may be a good investment since despite its more expensive cost, there is a promise of a faster and more stable internet connection. For business owners who rely on an internet connection for their operations and transactions, choosing a fibre broadband is a no-brainer. And for households who value just the same features for their personal use, a switch from copper to fibre is also a viable option to make.

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The Relationship of the FOI and the NBN Co

The Freedom of Information Act or the FOI provides Australians the right to access government documents. In 1982, this act was passed to the Commonwealth affecting all Australian ministers and agencies up until today.

This Freedom of Information Act is not only applied in Australia, but in many states around the world. Under the Australian Parliament, the Freedom of Information Act was considered important based on 3 reasons. First, this act allows Australians to know all information and transactions the government is undergoing on their behalf. Second, it allows Australians to correct them if there are stipulations in those information and transactions that they see are misleading. Third, this act enforces the essence of transparency. After all, policies, decisions and delivery of federal services should not be made behind closed doors.

The Freedom of Information Act definitely applies to the rather controversial National Broadband Network project. In 2011, request for Freedom of Information to see and discuss reports on the 15 billion dollar NBN project was junked.  This request is to obtain reports that will detail out the plans and recommendations surrounding the NBN infrastructures. The FOI request was junked on grounds that it might prejudice the outcome of these proposals.

Fast forward to October in 2013, concerned Australians who want to dig deep into the National Broadband Network project pledged what they can to pay for the expensive freedom of information request. A crowdfunding website, Pozible, was able to generate a total of 2,072 dollars from concerned Australian citizens to pay for the steep request in exchange of ministerial briefings in 5 hours.

These ministerial briefings called collectively as the "blue book" is a 545-page document prepared by the NBN Co to the Department of Communications. According to various sources, these briefings reveal a somewhat second-rate account of the NBN plan – a far cry from the ambitions the broadband network promises to Australia. Quoted speeds are unachievable, internet speeds are technically inadequate for business use, planning was poor and auditing was likely incomplete. While these charges remain to be ambiguous and unproven for as long as briefing documents are withheld from the public, speculations will continue.

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What Happens on the Installation Day of Your NBN Connection?

Now that you are done planning for your NBN connection, choosing the type that fits your premises best whether a fibre, fixed wireless or satellite internet, you need to prepare next for the installation day. What happens exactly on the day your NBN connection will be installed in your premises?

It is important to note that installation does not happen within 24 hours after a successful completion of your NBN application. It does not work the same way when applying for a connection with regular internet service providers you know.

Before installers of the NBN Co will arrive at your premises, you need to confirm your installation date and time with them. To confirm a date and time, you will be receiving 2 calls. The first call is a week before the installation date and second one will be a day before certified installers will arrive at your premises.

When installers arrive at your premises, make sure that you require for their IDs before letting them inside your home or office. This is your way of knowing they are legitimately associated with the NBN Co.

Upon arrival, they will ask you where you want your indoor NBN equipment installed. It is important that this location is safe, dry, receives less foot traffic and can provide an equal internet access to everyone inside your home who will be connecting to the web. You might need to move some furniture around to accommodate.

If your premise is fibre ready with the presence of a Premises Connection Device, finishing installation can take place in less than 3 hours. If it does not, it might take a few more.

It is important to be available at your premise on the day of installation to make sure work is done right and safely the way it should be. If you will not be available on the date of your installation, have a signed representative to look over the installation process. Make sure that your representative is already 18 years old and above and can make decisions for you in terms of the where the NBN equipment will be located.

An NTD or a Network Termination Device, a power supply and a wall plate to connect the indoor and outdoor cables to the NTD will be connected to your premise on the day of your installation. 

The time it takes for installation to be complete depends on a variety of factors. First, it depends on the kind of connection you want from the NBN. For sure, fibre broadband takes a longer time to install than satellite. Second, it depends on the local demand. If there are a lot of household owners such as yourself wanting to have an NBN fixed wireless in your locality, you can expect a little delay in your installation. Third, it also depends on the number of NBN Co installers who can arrive at your premises. Lastly, it depends whether there are NBN infrastructures already available in your locality. Premises that do not have NBN hardware installed can take weeks before installation to finish than premises that already have hardware available.

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Practical Applications of Satellite Phones

Word about satellite internet may have been around for quite a while already, but it is important to shed as much light on another satellite-based technology called satellite phone.

Satellite phones or ‘sat phones’ as it is colloquially called are phones that you can use if there is no terrestrial telecommunications station available to make a call. For a sat phone to work, it has to have a line-of-sight with the satellite in space that it corresponds with. To have that line-of-sight, it follows that the use of the sat phone is done outdoors. There ought to be no obstructions between the antenna of the sat phone and its view of the sky. Trees, vehicles, the rain, mountains and hills can affect the line-of-sight, which is essential for the satellite phone to work.

The technology of satellite phones is rare and is practically used in the following scenarios:

Emergencies and relief operations. When disasters strike, destruction of infrastructures becomes an understatement. Power lines break, telecommunication towers fall and suddenly a city or a country becomes totally disconnected from the world. When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it left Florida, Mississippi and New Orleans in a state of emergency. To respond to the emergency, search & rescue and other relief efforts, the use of sat phones became handy. It allowed emergency teams to coordinate with each other even in the absence of cellular and landline technologies.

News reports.  Just like in emergency and relief operations, it is important for news reporters to own a viable form of communication such as a sat phone when covering disasters and natural calamities. In times of a crisis, all eyes and ears point to the media for information. As bearer of news, news reporters should have the technology needed to bring the news even in the absence of traditional telecommunication technologies. To have a sat phone is a practical backup tool for communication during crucial and trying times.

Military. News reporters may have the inherent requirement to be well-connected, but military personnel have to be more prepared. The military is by far the largest buyer and user of sat phones since they need a reliable tool for worldwide communication. Especially for military personnel who are at sea, they need to have a stable mode of communication to report or to coordinate with their counterparts who are on land.

Hobbyists looking for recreational activities. Especially for the recreational bareboaters whose idea of a vacation is to set out at sea on their own, they still need to be well-connected to the base or with coast guards who can immediately come to their rescue when the unimaginable happens. Even if the marine radio breaks down and they have travelled way outside of the cellular range, a call for help is possible in an instant with a sat phone.

The technology of a satellite phone is great. At the end of the day, in order for the benefits of a sat phone to be maximised, it is important that the proper use and configuration of a sat phone is observed.

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Top 3 Things the NBN Aussie Broadband Can Benefit Businesses

The Aussie Broadband or the National Broadband Network (or NBN) in Australia is gaining momentum and publicity in the scene. Even if NBN infrastructures are still in the process of completion, ISPs have been offering broadband internet services in areas where NBN infrastructures are already constructed.

For homes, a broadband internet connection can be a source of relief especially if a fast and uninterrupted connection to the web is necessary. Especially for families that have some of its members located from the other side of the globe, seamless video calls and chats are now possible thanks to a fast broadband connection. Businesses too can benefit from the broadband network, and the benefits businesses have by doing so can be summarised in the list below.

1. It allows businesses to be where their market is. If you want to stay in the business for a long time, you need to bear in mind that it is not enough that your customers find you; it is important to be there where they are wherever that place is. With the popularity of internet usage, it is rare to find people who are not connected to the internet or loitering around in search engines.

  Almost everyone is online and you need to be online too if you want to be constantly engaged with your market. Whether your market loiters around social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter or spend a great amount of time tinkering with their emails, an Aussie broadband connection allows you to be where your market is.

2. Customers and even potential ones can have an alternate way to reach you. Not so long ago, a phone line was the only way a business can be reached by their customers and even by potential ones. Hotlines were the only viable means a customer can contact a certain business for help should something go awry with the product they purchased.

  With the internet’s popularity, it is natural for businesses to migrate or to extend their presence in the online landscape. With a broadband connection, businesses can have a website and be contacted there via their ‘Contact Us’ page. Especially if your business requires a technical help desk, you can extend this ‘desk’ with a chat support feature or an email response box on your website where a representative is on standby waiting for a customer query to come in.

3. The internet is the 21st century business owner’s market place. Aside from keeping an actual storefront, businesses today make it a point to have an online counterpart where customers and potential ones can buy from them through digital channels. The popularity of online stores and e-commerce websites is a testament to this. Some businesses even start and grow their enterprise online since it is cheaper that way.

  Aside from the internet being the 21st century business owner’s market place, it is also the same place where they manage their success. Business owners can use online productivity applications such as an accounting software, a brainstorming-collaborative application, an appointment scheduler, project management tools and more. The majority of these tools are also free, thus putting the supreme advantage of the Aussie broadband in the hands of business owners.