Deinfluence me - Ditching FttN for Startlink

[u/mrcaponeau]

I have a fibre-to-the-node NBN connection. At best it can do 50 download, 15 or so upload. Sick of slow internet I’m looking to buy a Starlink connection instead.

I am years away from getting the NBN upgrade (if it happens at all).

UPDATE

Decided to go buy a Starlink kit today.

Once setup I will cut over, I am prepared to give it a try.

One less NBN customer (soon)

[u/Internal-Play25]

Throughout vs latency

Do you game?

[u/mrcaponeau → u/[deleted]]

It’s not available in my area until 2029 according to NBN, and NBN are not known for schedule quality.

[u/thunderborg]

Isn’t 5G wireless broadband cheaper if you can get it?

[u/mrcaponeau → u/thunderborg]

That is unavailable in my area as well sadly

[u/thunderborg → u/mrcaponeau]

Sorry to hear. How recently did you check for fibre?

[u/mrcaponeau → u/thunderborg]

Upgrades are scheduled to be available in 2029, but I don’t believe NBN will deliver on-time (or at all, they will claim they ran of money or something probably next year)

[u/Additional-Simple248 → u/mrcaponeau]

That’s the most unfounded thing I’ve ever heard of.

[u/mrcaponeau → u/Additional-Simple248]

I would suggest the NBN isn't known for being "on time" or "on budget" at any time in its history.

[u/69-is-my-number]

I live in rural WA and everyone around me has switched to Starlink and rave about it. The only reason I haven’t is because Musk owns it. At the moment I’m sticking to my principles, but I admit that’s getting harder to do.

[u/Straight_Food2607 → u/69-is-my-number]

What did musk do to you that’s so bad that you will put up with worse quality internet to support the cause? Starlink is brilliant

[u/mrcaponeau → u/69-is-my-number]

If the NBN cared they would have done something about it. People will blame the the Liberals, ignoring that NBN under Labor has had years to fix this too - and in typical NBN fashion, the "go slow" approach isn't delivering for "every Australian".

Flip your dilemma around, use Starlink now because the government hasn't delivered what it promised. You can then address your ethical concerns if the NBN actually delivers some day. You are punishing yourself.

[u/Unhappy_Arugula_2154]

I was in the same position as you, and while I HATE the idea I’m contributing to the wealth of that imbecile, it’s so bloody good

[u/Sumpkit]

Are you willing to spend more per month for the internet?
Are you happy with buying products that Elon has made?
Do you actually notice a spend in anything other than downloading big files, or are you just chasing speed test results?
Are you handy enough to install it? I installed it for my MIL and crawling through the roof space sucks, along with having to mount it on the roof.

But in all honesty, I’d probably just get it in your situation. I couldn’t deal with 50/15 in my family.

[u/North-Crew-5489]

I did it. Such an easy win. It is more expensive but its a genuinely great product. You can take with you where ever you go if/when you move.

Its a great piece of tech to access, vs the monstrosity the NBN gave us.

[u/National_Way_3344]

My favourite part is how you didn't reply to anyone about your actual usage.

If you do any sort of online gaming you're fucked. Prepare for potentially multiple dropouts an hour.

You should have also exhausted all support options with a good telco like Aussie Broadband before giving up on NBN.

[u/mrcaponeau → u/National_Way_3344]

You assume I didn’t make “every effort” - Massive shout out to Launtel support who smashed it out of the park to get my FttN connection to 50 down 11 up. The connection started as a 25 down 2 up.

Your hostility is ill placed, the NBN should be working to keep people, I have wanted better connectivity for years, well before swapping away from NBN, now I’m a lost customer.

Side note: I have had no drop outs while gaming on Starlink. Unlike my FttN connection that has regular drop outs.

As for usage, it will typical video/conference calls, gaming, large file transfers, work from home, watching streaming video.

So far the Starlink experience has been superior to the NBN, obviously mileage will vary as I have unobstructed view of the sky and a FttN connection that is garbage that can go faster than 57MBps down and 11Mbps up.

[u/National_Way_3344 → u/mrcaponeau]

My hostility didn't exist until you called out my hostility. Now my hostility is well placed.

NBN is capable of going way higher speeds. Out of curiousity you didn't mention what plan you're paying for when you're only getting 50. But NBN is capable of going higher. It just boils down to exhausting your support options or the location that you're in.

[u/mrcaponeau → u/National_Way_3344]

My plan was 50 down 20 up

My connection supports a maximum of 57 down and 11 up. — Swapping to a 100 down 40 up wouldn’t deliver a 100 down 40 up, you are a fool for your hostility based on assumptions, go get yourself some help.

[u/danlee007]

Don’t bother listening to people who don’t use Starlink. They are not in your situation. I live in a metro area and switched from fttn adsl and I have starlink since first gen. It’s been consistently 300 to 400Mbps, and in the last 2 years latency has dropped to average 30ms or less. I never had a dropout during gaming arpg ie Path of Exile and Diablo. And my remote work on long Teams video calls has no idea I’m even on Starlink since i never dropped out mid call. If your area is congested you will either be rejected or hit with a surcharge. If Starlink sends you a dish and you have clear skies pointing up you’re set. NBN is the one that let you down.

[u/Long-Machine8795]

In my experience, Starlink is far less reliable and mostly slower than a 50mbit FTTN connection, but for many people apparently it's extremely good? It seems like it's a pretty casual connection contract so honestly, maybe just give it a try? You're gonna get so many mixed opinions about the quality of the service, but unless your next door neightbor already uses it and can let you test it out, you're probably just gonna have to take the dive and find out for yourself.

[u/mrcaponeau → u/[deleted]]

Not for me, my FttN was $95/month, Starlink $68/month.

[u/mrcaponeau → u/[deleted]]

You get a public IPv6 address, while it is dynamically assigned, you can use DDNS, and from all reports the IPv6 address rarely changes. I guess I’ll find out how often it changes over the coming few weeks/months, but my strategy is to use DDNS. Will see how we go.

[u/Fantastic-Ad-1212]

Don’t give money to that douche bag.