There are a number of types of internet services available at Glenefer such as:
ADSL 2+ and DSL available via an active phone line,
Satellite internet,
USB wireless internet, and
Cable internet
ADSL 2+ type internet can be provided by companies such as TPG, Optus, iiNet, Vodafone etc. Cable internet, which is faster and allows more download but typically costs more, can be provided by companies such as Telstra and Optus. A good website to go and compare plans is
http://broadbandguide.com.au/.
Recently tenants have stated to me that they cannot connect to TPG internet, however we have many tenants here at Glenefer connected to TPG Internet. In some cases the phone line may need to be activated first before internet is connected. Unfortunately if you want ADSL 2+ then you will have to pay to have an active phone line which will carry the ADSL 2+ internet. This means a TPG package may cost you $29.99 for the internet PLUS $30 line rental per month. This will be a total of $59.99 per month. There is no way to get around this as Telstra owns the telephone line infrastructure (physical wires into your unit) and charge companies like TPG to use the phone line for internet delivery such as ADSL 2+. If you use cable TV, then you may want to look at Telstra and Optus for their cable internet packages.
The best process for connecting to TPG internet is as follows:
1. Ring TPG sales and request ADSL 2+ internet connection. TPG http://www.tpg.com.au/support/contact sales can be contacted via 13 14 23 (option 1).
2. Pay the initial connection fee of around $99 PLUS your first month $59.99 (Note this price was based on prices available on the TPG website as at 25 June 2013).
3. TPG will perform line tests to ensure internet can be delivered to your unit.
4. If TPG line test is successful then you will have internet within a week 
5. If the TPG line test is unsuccessful, TPG will give you a FULL refund of monies and also send you an email about WHY the telephone line test was unsuccessful. Do not lose this email and if possible please send a copy to info@glenefer.com.au.
- a. If the line test is unsuccessful, and you want to continue to try and use TPG internet (which we recommend) then call TPG back and ask to set up an active phone line as step 1. This will cost you around $30 per month and connection fees, but by doing this you will help TPG work out why the telephone line test was unsuccessful. If TPG indentify faults in the line which Telstra need to fix, then should Telstra charge to make repairs this cost will be paid by the unit owner. Please note the cost paid by the unit owner relates to any repairs required and not the connection or monthly plan fee.
- b. Once you have an active phone line, ring TPG back and have the ADSL 2+ internet connected.
One last method of potentially getting internet is to use your computer to scan for wireless networks. You may find that the unit next door to you (or 3 doors down) has an internet connection and wireless router which transmits the internet via password protection. If they broadcast their SSID (which is their wireless internet name, ie SSID: Geoffs_Net, or SSID: Unit103_Sally), you may be able to ask your neighbours whether they would be willing to share their internet for say 50% - 75% of the price they pay each month (I say 50% - 75% of the price to make it worthwhile to them). They should be able to provide you a password and you give them your computers MAC address (your unique computer address). By giving them your computers MAC address, they can put this information into their router and this will only allow your computer to access their shared internet. Even if you give out their password to someone else, that person wont be able to connect to the wireless internet because they will have a different MAC address. For more information on SSIDs, wireless internet and MAC address you will need to do some reading on Google.
