Zoom calls that can\u2019t be unmuted; share-house internet that drops in and out; spotty reception that ruins social media moments. Technology issues such as these may not be earth-shattering, but they are annoying.<\/p>\n
With script-free technology experts in call centres across Australia, the internet provider Aussie Broadband aims to solve its customers\u2019 internet problems, serious or not. Forget AI voice recognition or representatives who are measured on call times; these consultants are real and ready to help.<\/p>\n
We put an Aussie Broadband customer service consultant, Jamie Gonzalez, to the test with five common internet concerns.<\/p>\n
My internet is always freezing or dropping out on Zoom meetings.<\/p>\n
Jamie Gonzalez: That\u2019s not good. Particularly now that working from home has become the norm. What do you do for work, if you don\u2019t mind me asking?<\/p>\n
Guardian Labs: I write articles for the internet, mostly.<\/p>\n
JG: Well, let\u2019s show the boss you\u2019re still paying attention. The problem could be wifi connectivity from your router playing up. It could be the computer you\u2019re using, or an issue with the NBN\/OptiComm network. Let\u2019s check it out, run some tests and get to the bottom of it together, shall we?<\/p>\n
I\u2019m kind of a big deal. How do I stay connected to the internet on a road trip?<\/p>\n
JG: Hey, I get it: road trips are always full of the best content. Where are you off to?<\/p>\n
GL: The plan is to drive out past Mildura to the edge of the outback. It\u2019s beautiful out there.<\/p>\n
JG: Jealous! To stay connected, start with mobile broadband with a 4G or 5G SIM \u2013 either a data-only or a mobile SIM. Would you like me to run you through that?<\/p>\n
What is data pooling, and how do I do it?<\/p>\n
JG: Great question. Let\u2019s say you have three mobile services with 40GB of allocated data per service. Each of the services draws from a combined pool of 120GB of data. With data pooling, if one service uses more than 40GB, it won\u2019t be restricted or slowed. This can be handy for work, and is really great for families if someone chews through their data but still needs their speed.<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t figure out how to share my screen for work. I\u2019m embarrassed to tell anybody.<\/p>\n
JG: Don\u2019t be embarrassed. You\u2019d be surprised how common this question is. First off: what video platform are you using?<\/p>\n
GL: For this job, Microsoft Teams.<\/p>\n
JG: Easy as. To share your screen in Teams, you\u2019ll first need to be in an actual meeting. From there, locate your toolbar \u2013 it\u2019s normally at the bottom of the screen \u2013 then find the \u2018Share content\u2019 button. A menu should then ask what you want to share, such as your entire screen or a specific window. Click on the option that suits. If you see a minimised version of your screen in the Teams window, you\u2019re in business. It\u2019s a good idea to ask your colleagues if they can see your screen before you begin your presentation.<\/p>\n
My internet speed always lags when my housemates are streaming their shows and I\u2019m streaming mine. What can I do?<\/p>\n
JG: Tell your housemates to watch a DVD? Joking!<\/p>\n
This is really common in data-heavy households, and the problem is bandwidth, meaning your plan doesn\u2019t have the capacity to let everyone stream at the same time. Bandwidth is like the size of the pipe that carries your internet: the bigger the pipe, the more data can flow through at once.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s dig a little deeper into the streaming services and devices you\u2019re using and see if we can find the right plan with the best speeds for you and your housemates.<\/p>\n