Hi
Don't know how many are using ISDN, but Telstra announced before Christmas they will close it down in 12 months. After the CDMA debacle I thought I wouldn't rush into any whizz bang offers and see what turned up later in the year. I know after Tjukurpa's experience it was unlikey wireless would work here. A couple of weeks ago the inevitable call came - if you switch to wireless now you get a free modem and 6 months half price. I said nope! I'll wait and see, I don't know it will work yet. "Oh but Telstra said it will!" Big snort, that means nothing.
Well a couple of days ago a neighbour rang to say she had taken up the offer, they came out and tore out the ISDN before they gave her the wireless and guess what....it DOESN'T WORK!!! And they won't give her back the ISDN, so she is back on dialup and Not Happy Jan!! What really hurts is that there was new cable put in up to the next neighbours place when we had trouble but they wouldn't do the whole road and those neighbours can get ADSL!!

So if you have ISDN, hang onto it until you know for sure something else is going to work.

By the way, when she asked what distance it should work they said it would operate 37km from the tower (in Echuca) but it depended what tall buildings were in between! We are only 16kms from the tower which is in a town of 10,000 so the multi story buildings would really be having an impact!!

It also depends on terrain and trees sil.

I'm on wireless here and couldn't get telstra's wireless and was told that I would have to get an oysie antenna, refused as it was going to cost me $500+. Went thru Megalink and they have put up a 30mtr tower on the house cost around $300. Need to look around to see what you can get. Why don;t you try and see if you can get satellite - try thru "Activat8me". They have access to the government website to see what and who you can go thru.

jtkoolie

The terrain is FLAT, there are more trees here than the neigbours so I have less chance. My information on the government assistance was if you have ISDN, you don't get the subsidy. Have heard the satellites can be a bit dodgy as well, might have to pinch one of LH's super satellite dishes - he wouldn't miss one! Certainly not rushing into anything though.

Regarding Vsatellite....it is expensive also bad weather can affect the signal causing it to drop out

The new D2 Optus satellite is up and running....and a signal strength of 98% on a 1.2m Gilat Vsat dish...so hopefully sat internet is improving...

Thanks LH, I'm sure that is encouraging news, umm guess I can check Optus for a translation...

http://www.optus.com.au/portal/site/abouto...00029867c0aRCRD