Draytek Modems

The IT Guys (WA) are Perth distributors for DrayTek modems and networking equipment. DrayTek produce Business Quality Modem Routers and Networking Equipment such as: ADSL/VDSL Modem Routers Broadband Routers LTE Routers For a comparison of modem types and features click here DrayTek equipment is recommended for replacing existing ISP supplied equipment and/or new installations for small to medium sized businesses and work-from-home situations. Typical Solutions : NBN Solutions for Home and Business Networks 4G/5G  Mobile Internet Solution for Small-to-Medium Businesses Working from Home with DrayTek VPN Solutions For The IT Guys (WA) to be able to provide you with any Draytek products, please email your requirements to help@itguyswa.com.au and one of our specialists will contact you with suitability, pricing, supply, availability, advice and installation options. Wi-Fi Issues? To extend or improve your Wi-Fi network … Wi-Fi Troubleshooting … we suggest Ubiquiti equipment such as Amplifi, Dream-Machine or UBNT AP Access points. We are a Perth stockist and solutions provider for all Ubiquiti equipment. :jk:

Perth’s fastest internet/Wi-Fi service partnership

In Partnership with Perth ISP “Pentanet” and leading wi-fi equipment provider (Ubiquiti Networks) we provide Perth’s fastest Internet /Wi-Fi bundle including FREE installation and setup* Pentanet offer NBN and Fixed-Wireless Internet Services at comparable rates to Telstra, Optus & iiNet but with the support of a local call-centre and operations based in Balcatta, Western Australia. The IT Guys (WA) offer the following NBN/Fixed Wireless Internet bundle with Pentanet providing the ISP Services and The IT Guys (WA) supplying the Ubiquiti Amplifi Mesh Router and FREE installation (within the Perth metro area) NBN Internet NBN Internet, 24 month contract, 100/40 Unlimited Data (Premier NBN tier 100) for $99/month ongoing NBN cable (FTTN, FTTP, HFC, FTTB, FTTC) should generally provide the fastest Internet Speeds and we can simply connect to the existing NBN connection and still provide you with the fastest internet possible. However, in areas that are not yet NBN ready or have issues with old Telstra copper lines, these issues can be circumvented by connecting to Pentanets Fixed Wireless Network which involves having a Pentanet technician install a small dish on your roof (usually free of charge on 24/36 month plans) Fixed Wireless Internet   Fixed Wireless Internet, 36 month contract, Unlimited Data 120/10 – $109 per month 120/20 – $119 per month 120/30 – $129 per month If your home or business is covered by the orange shading (see picture below), you can probably get Pentanet fixed wireless! If you’re also covered by a black circle, you’re in luck – PentaMAX millimeter wave service may also be an option for you. Using mmWave technology, PentaMAX delivers a blazingly fast symmetrical connection with lower latency and consistent to provide the fastest internet available over fixed wireless PentaMax offers reliable speeds for home or business of up to 1,000 mbps upload and 1,000 mbps download Don’t forget that Pentanet fixed wireless relies on a line of sight to their towers. Sometimes, trees, buildings and other objects can obstruct this line of sight, so  we will make sure you check your address to find out exactly what’s available.   Extending your Wi-Fi Network The Amplifi HD Modem routers provide a Wi-Fi signal 300% to 400% stronger than ISP supplied modems (Telstra, iiNet etc) which should extend to approx 10,000 Sq Ft. However, this reduces quickly depending on the number and construction of walls and ceilings. Using multiple Amplifi units in various parts of a building pickup and boost the Wi-Fi signal over a single mesh-network. Although only a single unit is provided with the installation, our technicians carry spare units in case more are required to extend the network into other areas of the building. To enquire about this offer please contact IT Guys (WA) by emailing helpdesk@itguyswa.com.au with your residential or business address (no telephone calls please) One of our consultants will investigate your address and then contact you with a confirmation regarding the availability of Pentanet NBN or Pentanet Fixed Wireless services at your address, how to purchase the Ubiquiti Amplifi Units and if sucessful, how to arrange installation. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions Q – If I move Internet Providers can I keep my @bigpond, @iinet, @westnet email account? Yes by all means, if you have any sort of account with Telstra (ie Mobile Phone) you will always retain a @bigpond email address. Failing that you can purchase an email only account from Telstra and retain the @bigpond email account for approx $20 per year. Same goes for @iinet, @westnet @tpg … (we know of people who cancelled their accounts with iinet many years ago but the email address continues to work) Q – Can I still use a VOIP phone or landline through a Pentanet NBN or Fixed Wireless connection? A – If you have an 08 XXXX XXXX number then it would need to be be ported to another provider as Pentanet do not bundle internet and telephone together. The IT Guys (WA) can provide VOIP telephone services and VOIP handsets with plans starting at $29.95 per month featuring No Lock In Contract INCLUDED calls to Local/STD INCLUDED calls to AU mobiles INCLUDED calls to 13/1300 Numbers INCLUDED 1 AU number INCLUDED Hosted PBX platform Connect 1 phone Up to 1 concurrent call Plans available for up to 6 handsets and 6 lines. Please contact us for a quote Q – Will switching to Pentanet mean my Wi-Fi devices, printers, Tv’s, Security Cameras will stop working? A – When installing any new modem your wireless (Wi-fi) devices will need to be reconfigured to find the ip address of the new modem. It is an easy task. Our technician can help out for one device but if there are many to be reconfigured and tested we will charge an additional :15mos: per 15 minutes onsite. For more Pentanet Q&A Questions and Answers, click here *free installation offer is only available if you order the Amplifi unit and Pentanet service for a 24 or 36 month contract through The IT Guys (WA) instead  of directly through Pentanet. :jk:

Perth’s fastest internet/Wi-Fi service partnership

In Partnership with Perth ISP “Pentanet” and leading wi-fi equipment provider “Ubiquiti Networks” we provide Perth’s fastest residential Internet/Wi-Fi bundle Pentanet offer NBN and Fixed-Wireless Internet Services at comparable rates to Telstra, Optus & iiNet but with the support of a local call-centre and operations based in Balcatta, Western Australia. NBN Internet NBN cable (FTTN, FTTP, HFC, FTTB, FTTC) should generally provide the fastest Internet Speeds and we can simply connect to the existing NBN connection. However, in areas that are not yet NBN ready or have issues with old Telstra copper lines, these issues can be circumvented by connecting to Pentanets Fixed Wireless Network which involves having a Pentanet technician install a small dish on your roof Fixed Wireless Internet plus supply and onsite setup of the service and an Ubiquiti Amplifi HD Mesh Wi-Fi modem If your home or business is covered by the orange shading (see picture below), you can probably get Pentanet fixed wireless! If you’re also covered by a black circle, you’re in luck – PentaMAX millimeter wave service may also be an option for you. Don’t forget that Pentanet fixed wireless relies on a line of sight to their towers. Sometimes, trees, buildings and other objects can obstruct this line of sight, so  we will make sure you check your address to find out exactly what’s available. Extending your Wi-Fi Network The Amplifi HD Modem routers provide a Wi-Fi signal 300% to 400% stronger than ISP supplied modems (Telstra, iiNet etc) which should extend to approx 10,000 Sq Ft. However, this reduces quickly depending on the number and construction of walls and ceilings. Using multiple Amplifi units in various parts of a building pickup and boost the Wi-Fi signal over a single mesh-network. To enquire about this offer please contact IT Guys (WA) by emailing helpdesk@itguyswa.com.au with your residential or business address (no telephone calls please) :jk:

NBN Subiaco – You may have to wait until 2020

Get high speed Internet Today? ….depending where you live in Subiaco! Some of you are going to have to wait until 2020.   Business and residents in Subiaco North have had their NBN connections delayed until at least July  to December 2020 after NBN company flipped 440,000 customers across 160 Australian suburbs from an HFC connection to FTTC (Fibre-to-the-curb) recently. Only 1 Western Australia suburb was in the list, Subiaco…. Subiaco North to be precise (see map above) As reported by IT News on April 20th, NBN have confined thousands of Residential and Business customers in Subiaco to the very back of the NBN queue by forcing them onto their latest NBN technology FTTC (fibre-to-the-curb). However Business customer do not have to wait until 2020 to get faster internet. The IT Guys can organise to have business grade fibre fitted to your building, with Internet speeds up to 500 mbps (see below) ….. much faster than NBN can deliver (max 100 mbps) If you are already connected to NBN you have 18 months from connection date before you lose the land line You only have a matter of months to embrace the NBN or risk losing your land line, ADSL and anything connected to it such as Security Alarm systems, Medical Emergency alarms etc. Existing Copper Land Lines will be disconnected 18 months after the NBN go-live date The date for deactivation of the copper land line for the suburb is as follows Subiaco (East) – 18/2/19 Even though the suburb has officially gone live with NBN, there could be some exceptions such as Businesses and strata properties. The only sure way of finding out if your premises has gone live is to click here on this link and enter your address.If the NBN Company website states that NBN is available, you will need to contact an NBN service provider such as your existing Internet Service Provider (ISP) or  Telstra to start the process. However, before doing so, consider the following. Your existing services may be affected The rollout of the nbn™ broadband means some existing devices and services may not be compatible with these at all times. If you have any of the following devices or services, contact your service provider or register with NBN Co so that they can support you to help minimise a break in services. Medical alarm, autodiallers or emergency call buttons Monitored fire alarms Home or business security monitoring systems Lift emergency phones EFTPOS or health claim terminals Fax and teletypewriter devices If you have any of the above devices, make sure they are ALL made NBN ready before asking to be switched to the NBN. It is also a good idea to make sure you have a mobile phone available and working, should something go wrong during installation and there is a delay between losing your phone line and NBN becoming available. Once satisfied you have no existing services that maybe affected or you have fixed any incompatibility issues, you need to select an NBN provider and a plan. The following guide should be of assistance. Confused by NBN Plans? What are the alternatives to NBN? Can I still use my land-line once I have NBN installed? Yes, but you may find your old telephone handset does not work any more and you may have to buy a new one (or your provider my provide you with a compatible one) Instead of connecting to a wall socket, the phone will need to connect to a socket in the side of the new NBN modem or NBN connection box that will be provided by your ISP. Telephone and Internet Connections offered by NBN   Telephone and Internet Connections offered via Mobile Phone Networks Telephone and Internet Connections offered via Independent Telecomm Companies If you find you need any assistance in setting up your new NBN services or your telephone/answering machine, home network, printer or computer. Please give us a call.   :jk:

How to test your Internet Speed

How do you know if the Internet speed your receive in your home or office is good, bad or simply what you are paying for?   Depending on the internet plan you are paying for download and upload speeds of 5 mbps (ADSL) to 250 or 500 mbps (Fixed Wireless) even 1,000 mbps (Fibre) can be expected. In Australia, in many ways you get what you pay for, but what happens when you are not getting what you pay for? How can you tell? How can you test? How can you improve the situation? How to test what internet speed I am currently getting? What Internet speeds should I be getting? What can I do to get what I am paying or pay to improve that service? 1.How to test what Internet speeds I am currently getting? Most Internet connections require a small box called a “modem” or “modem-router” that converts the outside signal to an internet signal. If the technology being used is HFC, then you will also have an NBN Connection box If you use ” mobile-broadband” the broadband routers pick the signal up via radio waves from mobile phone towers and are referred to as 3G, 4G or 5G networks. The wireless broadband modem may look like the above. To get a true picture of the Internet speed being received, your computer needs to be connected to the modem or modem-router using an “ethernet-cable” as follows. Connecting to the modem via Wi-Fi will not give a true indication as to the modem or the internets true performance. Only run the test via Wi-Fi if you have no other alternative and make sure the test device is as close to the modem as possible. or using a Laptop/Notebook   Once you have a computer connected to the modem via an ethernet cable, open up any internet browser and navigate to https://www.speedtest.net and click “GO” The speed-test will begin and will return three results as shown below. PING DOWNLOAD SPEED  and UPLOAD SPEED The PING speed test also know as “Latency” is a measure of the quality of the internet connection and in general the lower the PING speed, the better the quality of the line. This can be tested further a http://www.pingtest.com WHY SHOULD I NOT RUN THE TEST IF CONNECTED VIA WI-FI? When connected to a modem via an ethernet cable, the true Internet Speed can be tested. Connecting to a modem via Wi-Fi can reduce the speed by up to 90% depending on the distance between modem and computer, electrical interference from appliances, and objects such as walls and floors. Most ISP modems also have poor Wi-Fi capabilities but work flawlessly when connected via ethernet cable. Even when standing right next to the modem, the drop in speed can be significant compared to a “hard-wired” ethernet cable connection. 2.What Internet speeds should I be getting? If you live in Australia there are a number of ways you can receive Internet all are via an ISP (Internet Service Provider) or Telecom company. In urban areas you can normally access internet via copper cables, coaxial cables and fibre connections from the NBN Co or Independent Telecom companies using technologies such as FTTP, FTTN, NBN, Fibre or ADSL. Internet is also available wirelessly through mobile phone towers or Fixed-Wireless connections. In country areas the only choices available maybe via Fixed-Wireless, Satellite or Mobile Broadband with some far-flung properties still having to resort to ADSL connections over the old copper-telephone lines. NBN/FIBRE, HFC, FTTP, FTTC, FTTN, FTTB, NBN Fixed Wireless If you are an NBN customer, you can expect speeds as per the following article. According to NBN Company, at peak times the download speed should be no lower than 15mbps See the following article for more details Confused by NBN Plans? What are the alternatives to NBN? Non-NBN customers should refer to the plan you subscribed to to determine if you are paying for what you get but generally Download speeds differ greatly depending on the type of internet-connection you have and your distance from the telephone exchange or mobile tower. The following is a list of connection types and their typical connection speeds. ADSL Maximum speed of 22 mbps can be expected but most connections would be 10 mbps or less MOBILE BROADBAND Mobile Broadband is what your smart-phone uses to connect to the Internet when you are not in the house or work connected to Wi-Fi. It is commonly referred to as 3G or 4G or soon 5G. Although your phone has the facility built-in, on a laptop or PC you will need a “dongle” or “mobile-broadband modem“. Very good download speeds of 30 – 70 mbps can be achieved. FIXED WIRELESS There are a number of companies in Australia offering Fixed Wireless Internet Services and the Internet speeds they offer often surpasses those offered by other NBN technologies.   SATELLITE In country areas your only Internet options maybe Fixed Wireless or Satellite Australian Satellite Internet is called Sky Muster™ or Sky Muster™ Plus and available from ISPs such as SkyMesh 3. What can I do to get what I am paying for or how do I pay to improve that service? REMEDIES TO FIX SLOW INTERNET SPEEDS 1) Replace your modem if more than 3 years old Technology marches on pretty quickly these days. It’s cost efficient to replace your modem to a new one every few years. We recommend DrayTek Modems and Networking Equipment. How to test my modem. Does it need replacing? 2) Reboot your Modem/Router/NBN Box at least once per week It’s the stock advice, but it solves an astonishing number of problems. And if you have an NBN Connection box also restart that at the same time as restarting your modem 3) Check for Modem Firmware Upgrades Regularly Manufactures often have newer firmware or drivers for modems than what comes with the device. Ensuring you are using the latest firmware can often improve both the stability and speeds of your modem. 4) Upgrade to a faster Internet […]

Beat the boredom. How to watch BBC, ITV, Netflix USA in Australia during lockdown

Run out of things to watch on Australian Netflix, Prime, Foxtel, ABC, SBS, 7,9 & 10? Even before my coronavirus-self-isolation it was increasingly difficult to find new programs to watch in Australia (especially if your looking for something humorous and light-hearted) Yet the content does exist…. if you live in the UK or Ireland, even the US. There is an endless supply of TV content you can watch from the UK and the US, as long as you can get past the geo-restrictions. “What are geo-restictions?” – Due to international copyright laws, some TV content is only allowed to be viewed in certain countries. It is “geo-restricted“. If it is detected that you are trying to view content from a country outside of a geo-restriction … ie an Australian user trying to view British Programs, your attempts will be blocked. This is done because each computer has an invisible “IP Address” which gives out the country and sometimes the city that you or your ISP (Internet-Service-Provider ie Telstra, iiNet, Optus etc.) are located, making it easy to geo-restrict access. A ludicrous law in this day of global-consumption but until the entertainment industries gets over itself, Australia will continue to be a backwater in terms of what-we-get-to-see and when-we-get-to-see-it because of geo-restrictions. You may have experienced such censorship yourself while trying to access SBS or ABC iView from your hotel in Bali, Hong Kong or Thailand with images such as these. Access to overseas TV content (or Australian content while overseas) is available by using a VPN (Virtual-Private-Network) A VPN, or virtual private network, is a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. VPNs are used to protect your online traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship. A typical use of a VPN is to provide secure internet access between company servers and home computers using Microsoft RDC (Remote Desktop Connection) VPN’s can also act as a proxy, allowing you to mask or change your location and surf the web anonymously from wherever you want. In this way it is used to fool the source of a website or content streamer into believing the source user is from another IP address, one already located close-by or at least in the same country. In this way, content that would normally be inaccessible to users outside of that country becomes available because the source website believes it is being accessed from within that country. Effective VPN clients are NOT Free but not that expensive either. There are a number of companies that advertise FREE VPN’s and some work for a limited time, but they are all trying to sell you their paid VPN service. Rather than struggle with Free VPN services and browser add-ins such a Hola, we recommend purchasing a tried-and-test VPN client VPN Guru lists it’s top 6 VPN clients as Express VPN, NordVPN, UltraVPN, SurfShark, Cyber Ghost, SafeVPN and Privacy Web Going with #1 choice, We tried and tested Express VPN One Express VPN licence allows you to install the client on up to 5 devices be that Windows, MacOS, iOS. We installed on an iPad and a Mac computer and both worked very well, with one or two caveats Downloading the ExpressVPN desktop app To get started, go to ExpressVPN.com and select the Get Started option at the top. A single ExpressVPN subscription comes with easy-to-use apps for every device you own. Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, routers etc Pick the plan you want, add your email, and enter payment details. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee. If applying via the Apple App store or Google Play, you may also get a 7 day free-trial. Click Join Now. Next, choose a password or accept the one generated for you. (Be sure your password includes a few extra characters, numbers, and plenty of characters in upper and lowercase.) You will then receive an activation code. Keep this in a secret place – meaning, not on a sticky note on your desktop. Installing ExpressVPN on desktop Installing ExpressVPN is easy on a desktop or laptop – although there are a few extra steps compared to the mobile client. For the desktop, download the client and install it. The good thing about a client like ExpressVPN is that it is remarkably easy to install and configure. You’ve actually already done the hardest steps – choosing your plan and adding payment details. With the client, sign-in using the account you just created. Enter your activation code. Decide if you want to launch a startup and if you want to send a crash report and other data to improve the product. Your next step is the most important one of all – selecting the location of the server. If you wish to access TV channels in the UK, choose a UK server, if US channels, choose a US server etc. Click the big power icon to connect. This will make your Internet connection secure. Once you connect with ExpressVPN, the app will run in the background and there’s nothing more to do to use the VPN, although you can configure features and change settings. You may notice a decrease in Internet speed while the VPN is switched on, so it maybe recommended to only have it switched on while requiring it. However, if you are using the VPN simply to make your connections secure, choose the home location closest to you. Downloading the ExpressVPN mobile app Like any good service, ExpressVPN is available both on Apple iOS and Android – in fact, it tops our list of the best Android VPN apps – and the client works like any other app. With the mobile app, you have the choice to start a seven-day trial. You can find it at the App Store or Play Store, or you can simply visit the ExpressVPN website to look for the mobile install. Once you find the app, verify that the logo matches what you see on the ExpressVPN site (a V logo with wings). This is important […]

Help

Self Help Resources   How to fix a computer that will not start, freezes, hangs or is very slow How to fix common Microsoft Windows problems How to fix common Microsoft Office and Outlook problems How to fix common Apple iMac, Macbook problems How to fix common Network/Internet problems How to Work Remotely with Office 365 An Essential Guide to Working from Home Blog/FAQ   :jk:

How to work from home while self-isolating due to CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic

How to work from home while self-isolating due to CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic If you have an office-based job which involves working with emails, computer programs and using a telephone to talk to customers and fellow workers, then your job could easily be carried out from home, as long as you have a reasonable fast internet connection. This also assumes that your employer has the technological infrastructure in place to allow you to tele-commute. The old-fashioned and most insecure way of working from home is by using Microsofts Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), where you “dial-in” to your work desktop from a home computer. RDP/RDC is a known vulnerability and is an easy target for hackers and cyber-criminals. If this is the only option available it should be configured using a virtual private network (VPN) connection which provides a secure connection to your work network via the internet. Creating a VPN involves configuring network settings at the workplace and on each computer that will be connecting to the work network. The process is time consuming and expensive to setup. A more costs-effective, scalable and secure solution is as follows using “the cloud” The required technology isn’t expensive and can be easily setup, if it is not already in place. It merely involves moving emails and data into “the cloud” Most tech-savvy employers have been using this technology for many years but for others, the fear of “the-cloud” has held them back and they are still reliant on POP or IMAP emails, on premise servers and PABX phone systems. How to move data, emails and telephones into the cloud 1. Upgrade office software to Office 365 Business versions, including Microsoft Office Hosted Exchange email accounts. 2. Move files and local data into Microsoft SharePoint cloud data storage (which is included in Office 365 Business versions such as Exchange Online, Business Premium etc.) 3. Use Office 365 Business built-in collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Teams (Skype for Business) to chat, have online meetings/video conference and share documents.  Microsoft teams is a hub for teamwork. It’s an app that helps you pull together as a team. And work together using chat instead of email It’s a work space where you and your team can securely edit files at the same time and see likes and mentions and replies with just a single tap. Ii’s a place that your team can make its own by adding notes, websites and apps and because it’s in the cloud it let’s everyone work together no matter where they are 4. Switch to a Hosted PABX telephone system with VOIP handsets.   These steps allow employees to access emails and files from their home computers, laptops and smartphones and once they have relocated their office telephone handset to their home and plugged into the internet, to answer and make calls as if they were seated at their office desk. The IT Guys WA and Hybrid ICT have carried out the above for many of our clients which has given them the ability to send their staff home and self-isolate while still continuing to work as normal. If you would like this to happen at your company, please contact us for an obligation free quote on  :e-mail: or call 08 6365 5603 :jk:

Top 6 issues encountered by Australian’s when moving to NBN

NBN Issues Solved – Top 6 issues encountered upon moving to NBN The transition to NBN from copper (traditional) telephone lines including ADSL Internet and Fax Services, is a major life-changing issue for many Australian seniors.   The older we get, the harder we find it is to change. Having grown up with ADSL internet and copper-line (land-line) phones, senior Australians are struggling with the changeover to NBN services.   Unfortunately, nobody has a choice in the matter, copper-line (Telstra) technology is being phased out and NBN, just like death and Taxes, is an inevitability. However, just because the old copper-line based system is being disonnected, it does NOT mean you have to move to NBN. There are alternatives. If you DO NOT need a telephone handset (land-line) , you can consider the following non-NBN alternatives: Telephone and Internet Connections offered via the Mobile Phone NetworksTelephone and Internet Connections offered via Independent Telecomm Companies Having supported and fixed hundreds of issues regarding NBN and Senior Australian’s, we have come up with a “what-to-expect” guide, that many people encounter during and immediately after moving to NBN. The Top 6 issues encountered by Senior Australian’s when moving to NBN NBN Modem Required for Internet and/or Phone calls NBN-Compatible handset required to make calls Internal telephone sockets now redundant NBN internal connection location may not be same as current New modem means changing Wi-fi password on all devices NBN service maybe slower than current ADSL   1. You will need a new NBN compatible modem to receive Internet and Telephone Calls There are different NBN technologies being used across Australia, you dodnt have a choice in which one you have, this has already been pre-determined by NBN. The Possible Technologies you may have are as follows: Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) Fibre to the Building/Node (FTTB & FTTN) Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) NBN™ Wireless NBN™ HFC NBN™ Satellite Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) FTTP – The best solution on offer with NBN-Fibre directly to your premises. Sadly only a very small percentage of Australian users have this type of connection as it was deemed too expensive and time consuming to rollout across the country by the Government of the day. Some users can apply to have their technology upgraded to FTTP but the cost is generally around $7 to $10,000. Fibre to the Building/Node (FTTB & FTTN) Most Australian residences will be connected directly to the existing telephone socket using FTTN, and a new NBN compatible modem. This technology uses the existing copper telephone lines in a building, building complex or in the street to connect to fibre which can be up to 1 klm from your location. Some users can apply to have their technology upgraded to FTTP but the cost is generally around $7 to $10,000. Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) Fibre to the curb is a recent technological improvement on FTTN. It still uses the existing copper telephone lines but then connects to a “Node” or “NBN junction-box” within a few hundred meters of your location/building. Some users can apply to have their technology upgraded to FTTP but the cost is generally around $7 to $10,000. NBN™ HFC Australian suburbs connected to the Pay-TV (Foxtel) Network in the 90s will be connected to NBN using the existing HFC (coaxial) network as follows. HFC is regarded as the 2nd best technology available after FTTP. NBN™ Wireless and NBN™ Satellite In country and rural areas the use of Wireless or Satellite technology (using an external antenna or satellite dish) as follows. Australian Satellite Internet is called Sky Muster™ or Sky Muster™ Plus and available from ISPs such as SkyMesh Even if you did not need a modem before (because you did not have the internet) you will need one now and if you currently have one, it will probably need replacing for an NBN compatible one. 2. If you want to keep your “Land-Line” and receive telephone calls, you will need a new NBN-Compatible handset. Existing telephone handsets cannot be used in any of the NBN technologies. If you still require a traditional telephone “handset”, you will need to purchase an NBN compatible handsets that plugs into the NBN modem. 3. If you currently have telephone points in various rooms, these are now useless and cannot be used.Companies such as “Uniden” supply “wireless” handsets that can be used anywhere in your house as long as they are within range of the “base-station” which plugs into the NBN Modem.Use these instead of traditional handsets. 4. NBN Co may install your new connection in a different location to your existing modem. The incoming NBN connection will enter your house by either: a) One of your current telephone points or b) In the case of HFC connected areas, they use existing pay-TV/Foxtel point, that connects to an “NBN Connection Box” If an existing point does not exists, the NBN technician will install a new one, usually at a convenient location for them but not always for you. NBN Co, have to make an effort to locate your incoming NBN connection in a location that is convenient for you, so if you want the connection to be where your modem is, insist on it and do not let the technician install it in an inconvenient location. 5. A new modem, means a new Wi-Fi signal, so printers, scanners, iPads, iPhones, TV’s, tablets and laptops will need to be connected to the new network Wi-Fi may not now reach into areas that you could previously receive Wi-Fi If the new incoming connection is not near where your old modem was located, you may find this inconvenient. It maybe that devices such as TV’s, iPads, Printers, Scanners, Computers and Laptops, may no longer be in range of the new modem.Because of the new modem, each device will need to be reconnected to the new wifi network, so you may find you are suddenly unable to connect to the printer or the internet.If you connect your modem to […]

High-Definition IP Video Surveillance System

The UniFi® Video Cameras G3 represent the next generation of cameras designed for use in the UniFi Video surveillance management system. These cameras offer 1080p Full HD resolution for day or night use and are integrated with the UniFi Video software for powerful and flexible, integrated IP video management. The cameras are easy to operate and manage using the UniFi Video® software, which is pre-installed on the optional UniFi Application Server and the UniFi NVR appliance, or can be downloaded free of charge. 5 camera models are available, in different sizes and formats with features such as 1080p Full-HD, microphones, 2-way audio, infrared LED, wide-angle lenses which can be located on desktops, poles, celings and walls, indoors and outdoors. Cameras include UVC-G3-Bullet (UVC-G3-AF), UVC-G3-PRO, UVC-G3-DOME, UVC-G3-MICRO, UVC-G3-FLEX The UniFi NVR is a plug-and-play NVR appliance with pre-installed UniFi Video software to configure and manage the UniFi Video Cameras G3. Its 2 TB hard drive provides up to 4800* recording hours at 480p, 1600* recording hours at 720p, or 700* recording hours at 1080p. in Western Australia, installers of this equipment need a “Security Installer Licence – Class 3” please check with your installer. If you are looking for a qualified installer, we can recommend Cablenet. Wi-fi Problems? Wireless Smart-Wired-Home solutions for extra large sized homes with multiple floors Wireless Smart-Wired-Home solutions for medium sized homes Wireless Smart-Wired-Home solutions for small houses, units or apartment Wi-Fi Internet Extenders Smart wiring – Is it really necessary? WAP’s v Network Range Extenders/Boosters High-Definition IP Video Surveillance System Building or Renovating? Make yours a Smart-Wired Wi-Fi enabled Home Sonos Installation and Troubleshooting Networking and Internet Solutions Internet Service Provider Perth :jk:    

Does your Wi-Fi reach all corners of your house?

Does your Wi-Fi reach all corners of your house? …or is your family tied to the room where your modem is located? Why does our Wi-Fi not extend further and why is it so slow? Modems supplied by Telstra, iiNet/WestNet/TPG, Optus etc. have very poor Wi-Fi capabilities. They have Wi-Fi strong enough to cover a single room well but are not designed to cover multiple rooms or houses with multiple floors. Rather than purchasing cheap boosters plugged into power sockets around the house, we recommend adding a powerful Wireless-Router such as a Ubiquiti AmpliFi™ HD (High Density) Mesh Router  which gives a Wi-Fi signal up to 500% stronger than standard modems. Standalone AmpliFi HD Mesh Router (AFI-R) is great for powerful coverage in an average sized space up to 930 square metres. You can purchase Standalone AmpliFi HD Mesh Router (AFI-R) from us, they just plug into your modem and are simple to install yourself. We also offer an optional installation service for a small fee….. more Why does our Wi-Fi not reach the upstairs bedrooms? Wi-Fi signals will not penetrate concrete or thick brick/block walls. The only way to get a Wi-Fi signal to areas behind these walls and floors is as follows: 1. Hard Wire (Ethernet cable) through or around the obstruction to a Wireless Access Point (Electrician required) by Installing Wireless Access Points (WAPs) throughout the house (3 or 4 will normally cover a very large home) 2. Use a Mesh-Wi-Fi Network  such as multiple Amplifi HD Mesh Routers that use door or staircase openings to transmit Wi-Fi signals through to other areas or 3. If your home is already smart-wired, replace existing Ethernet wall plates with in-wall Wireless Access Points (WAPs) The IT Guys only supply the world’s best WI-FI equipment made by UBIQUITI. Our technicians are qualified and certified UBIQUITI experts and can design a new system or troubleshoot your current system. For the best and most efficient solution, please call and speak to one of our technicians. Why is our Internet so slow? Telephone and Internet Connections offered by NBN :jk:

Copper Disconnection Dates – WA Suburbs – 16th January 2020

WA Suburbs that will have their copper telephone lines (Landlines and ADSL) disconnected on January 16th 2020 If you live in any of the following WA suburbs and have not switched to NBN or an NBN-Alternative by 16th Jan 2020 you will find your telephone and ADSL Internet disconnected Applecross, Armadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Australind, Bandy Creek, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baynton, Bedford, Beeliar, Bellevue, Beresford, Boya, Brockman, Brookdale, Brown Range, Bullsbrook, Busselton, Byford, Camillo, Carabooda, Carey Park, Carnarvon, Castletown, Chadwick, Champion Lakes, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Coogee, Cottesloe, Darch, Darling Downs, Darlington, Dawesville, Deepdale, Denham, Dudley Park, Dunsborough, East Bunbury, East Carnarvon, Edgewater, Esperance, Forrestdale, Gap Ridge, Green Head, Greenmount, Greys Plain, Hamilton Hill, Haynes, Helena Valley, Henderson, Hilbert, Hilton, Inglewood, Jandakot, Joondalup, Katanning, Kelmscott, Kewdale, Kingsford, Koongamia, Lancelin, Landsdale, Lange, Leda, Ledge Point, Leeman, Leschenault, Lockyer, Mandurah, Mariginiup, Marybrook, Maylands, Milpara, Morgantown, Mosman Park, Mount Lawley, Mount Melville, Mount Richon, Munster, Orana, Paraburdoo, Peppermint Grove, Quindalup, Riverton, Rockingham, Seville Grove, South Carnarvon, South Perth, South Lake, Spearwood, Spencer Park, Success, Swan View, Utakarra, Victoria Park, Wagin, Walmsley, Wannanup, Wanneroo, Wattleup, Wellard, Willetton, Wongan Hills, Wonthella, Woorree, Wungong, Yakamia, Yanchep, Yangebup The IT Guys can help. Give us a call. :jk:

TV Streaming Alternatives in Australia

Confused about the abundance of TV streaming services available in Australia in 2022? You are not alone…. much has changed since we published the original article back in 2016 Some companies have folded while others have emerged, TV services such as streaming, now come in a variety of choices, some Free and others paid. Some services requiring a special “box” for recording programs (Foxtel IQ, FetchTV) but with the majority of services are available to “stream” using an “App” on most Smart-TV’s or Desktop-Box units. Quick FAQ Confused by the “jargon” regarding “streaming”, “on-demand” TV etc. here is a quick idiots-guide or FAQ (Frequently-Asked-Questions) Free-To-Air (Terrestrial) TV – Australia There are more than two-dozen Free to Air channels in Australia (also known as Free View) including the five major channels presented below, ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine and Ten and are often referred to a “Terrestrial” channels and in all cases still need a TV Aerial to receive. Gone are the days of only 5 Terrestrial channels to choose from, there are now more than twenty four including ABC HD, ABC Comedy, SBS HD, SBS World Movies, Seven HD, Seven 2, Seven Mate, 10 HD, 10 Bold, 9 HD, 9 Go, 9 Gem to name but a few. All Free-To-Air and all available on older traditional and newer Smart-TV’s Being Free-to-air you have to watch each program when it is being aired, unless you have a recording-device such as Foxtel IQ or FetchTV. Very useful if you want to watch sports that are only available on Free-to-air TV but of little use otherwise considering the options and choices. Smart-TV v Dumb-TV What is a Smart-TV? (AKA a “Connected TV“) All newer TV’s (no more than 10 years old) are usually classified as Smart-TV‘s. A Smart TV is a television that has built-in Internet access, either by a direct, wired Ethernet connection or built-in Wi-Fi and can: Stream media from your computer to your TV over your home network. Connect wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct, where the device makes a one-to-one network connection so you can watch whatever is playing on your smartphone while it remains in your pocket. Use apps like Netflix, Stan, ABC iView etc to download to your smart TV, so you can watch online content without purchasing an additional device such as Apple TV, a games console or Blu-ray player. If you’re a Netflix watcher, check to see if there’s a dedicated Netflix button on the remote as this will allow you to jump straight to your saved shows. Automatically apply security and system updates to improve the TV’s features and performance. Buy new Smart-TV’s here  from Samsung, A dumb-TV, has none of the above but can often be turned into a Smart-TV by purchasing an additional external device such as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Telstra TV/Roku , Fetch TV, Foxtel Now Box, Amazon Fire TV Stick or gaming consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation. Streaming v Catchup v On-Demand With Free to Air TV, you have to watch TV programs and movies when they are being broadcast, or you can record them for future viewing with a recording device (see above) but if a particular movie or TV program isn’t showing or available on Free to Air TV you have a number of choices to find and watch that show or movie, some also FREE but the majority are PAID services. What is a “Streaming Service”? “Streaming” a TV program or Movie means you are watching the program as it is being downloaded to your TV or device from the Internet in real-time. As long as your Internet Service is quick enough, you should not see any delay, freezing (or lagging) of the picture. This means you do not have to wait for something to completely download before you watch it and your TV is not going to fill up or run out of storage space. Streaming is used by services such as ABC iView, SBS Catchup, Netflix, Hulu, Binge, Disney, Apple, Stan, Amazon Prime Video etc. All you need is a Smart TV or set-top box with an Internet connection with a download speed of 3mbps or better. What are “Catchup” or “On-Demand” Programs “Catchup” is a phrase used by Foxtel where programs and movies not currently being shown on Foxtel, can be downloaded using a Foxtel IQ box with an Internet Connection. Older iQ boxes were not internet-enabled and if you wish to utilise this Foxtel feature, you may have to upgrade your IQ box. This is essentially the same as “streaming” Set-Top boxes such as Telstra TV and Apple TV may offer “on-demand” services where movies and TV shows can be purchased individually, on-demand. Telstra offer Telstra TV Box Office (formerly Bigpond Movies) where the latest movies can be purchased or rented and charged to a Telstra account. Apple TV and Apple devices similarly allow the purchase or rental of shows using an Apple iTunes account. Using a Chromecast media streamer you can also purchase programs through Google Play Movies & TV in a similar fashion to Apple TV and Telstra TV What is a Smart-TV App? In addition to viewing Free to Air Programs on a Smart-TV, they also come with built in “Apps” or “Programs” that allow access to streaming and on-demand services as detailed above. Popular Apps such as “Netflix” and Amazon “Prime-TV” may also have their own dedicated buttons on the TV remote control but by going through the “Apps” section of your TV you will also find Apps for ABC iView, SBS On-demand, Stan, Apple TV, Telstra movies etc. Because your Smart TV is connected to the Internet, it should be constantly “upgrading” itself with the latest Apps, so over time you may see the available Apps increase as new services (such as Disney+) are introduced. How do I connect my TV to the Internet? A smart-TV depends on an Internet Connection. Most Smart-TV’s and Set-Top Boxes can connect via a “wired” (Ethernet cable) or wire-less (Wi-Fi) connection. A wired connection […]