[H-GEN] isp connection advice for temporary visitor

[Paul Gearon]

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On Tue, 22 May 2001, Serge Rey wrote:

> i will be visiting uq for six months starting this july and am trying to
> research options for local internet access in brisbane.
>
> i'd like to use a similar setup to what i have here in san diego, namely
> a local lan running through ipmasq, with a debian box as the gateway. i
> would appreciate any recommendations that could be passed along
> regarding linux friendly isps in the region, (dsl, cable, dialup are all
> options at this point).
>
> i do have the possibility of renting a house that has an Optus
> connection, but couldn't find much information regarding linux on their
> website.

If you go with a dialup ISP you'll find heaps and heaps, and many will
offer decent support for Linux.

However, if you want to go for a faster connection then you're going to be
a little disappointed in your options, compared to the US.

There are only 2 cable providers (both of which work fine with Linux),
Optus and Telstra.  Depending on which suburb and street you are in will
dictate if you can get access their networks.  I can only get Telstra, a
friend of mine can only get Optus, and many of friends can't get either.
Pricing is similar between both networks, and there are bandwidth caps in
place.

ADSL is being offered by Telstra.  Other telecomms companies are
supposedly starting up services in this space, but I've yet to hear of
their details, so I suspect that they don't yet offer services in
Brisbane.  However, in order to use ADSL you need to be within a few
kilometers of an capable exchange... and again this may not be possible,
depending on where you live (rule of thumb: if you can't get cable, you
can't get ADSL).  Pricing for ADSL is a little more expensive than for
cable (though comparable).

Regards,
Paul Gearon

Software Engineer                Telephone:   +61 7 3876 2188
Plugged In Software              Fax:         +61 7 3876 4899
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