If blistering fast LTE speeds is you thing, and you live or work with in 5KM of a CBD then Telstra’s recently demonstrated Gigabit over LTE mobile service may be for you. Following the launch event earlier this month, Telstra has now launched both the new Netgear Nighthawk M1 wireless router and their new data plans. Both the Gigabit LTE service and the Nighthawk M1 are world exclusives to Telstra.
Telstra want’s to make sure you’ve got multiple ways to get your hands on the Nighthawk M1 with mobile broadband, home wireless broadband and business plans all on offer. What’s better is even if you don’t want the Nighthawk M1, the new data plans will still be available.
Go Mobile Data Plus Plans
The new Go Mobile Data Plus Plans offer the choice of either an older 4GX USB Wi-Fi router or the new Nighthawk M1, which is free on all $45 plans for 24 months. The plans offer 1GB of data (+$9/ month payment on the Nighthawk M1) for $34/month, 10GB of data for $45/ month and 20GB of data for $70 per month. Both the 10 and 20 GB plans include the Nighthawk M1 for free when contracted over 24 months.
Mobile data will be included in any family share plans you may have.
Home Wireless Broadband Plus Plans
With the NBN being marred by significant delays, slow rollouts and politically motivated distribution of services many Australians find themselves with no real option to get anything approaching decent internet speed. With the Nighthawk even those not in the LTE x16 rollout zone will have access to faster home quality broadband, at a price.
The two new Wireless Home Broadband plans on offer are 40GB/ month for $100 and 80GB/ month for $150.Those data caps are only available for a limited time, so if you’re interested you may want to jump on the bandwagon now.
While this still isn’t in the realms of universally affordable broadband services, something we as a society should be striving for, it does at least provide an option for those who can afford it. I’d appreciate it if no one mentions what these things cost to my wife because I think I need one with a max speed of 2.5Mbps on my “broadband connection”!
Business Plans
Telstra are offering very similar plans to business customers with both Mobile and Office based Broadband pricings available.
During my hands-on with the Nighthawk M1 running on the upgraded LTE network in Sydney, I can attest that these things are impressively fast, especially when in range of the upgraded x16 towers.Even away from the x16 towers the Telstra 4G network is arguably one of the best and should still delivery around 100mbps in the right areas.
If you need a new WiFi access point and you can afford these data rates then I have no objection recommending them.
