Internet access when you arrive

You've spent the last year, or more, researching on the internet, finding out about your new home, applying for jobs, communicating with the locals and others going through the same feelings, hopes, fears, doubts as you. Your virtual community has been a great friend, but when you arrive you may be left alone - argggh!

When you get to your new home you want/need internet access more than ever. To apply for your tax file number (TFN), apply for jobs, find out about schools, and more importantly to keep in touch with all your friends and family that you've left behind.

There are a few options that you can investigate, which will get you on line, if not immediately, then as soon as possible.

Your local area will probably have a library, we are lucky in Rockingham in that we have access to three, with good opening hours, the one I use Safety Bay Library is open to 7.00 Monday to Thursday. These have free internet access, you may have to book a slot (check with the local library). See http://libraries.rockingham.wa.gov.au/

If you have wifi access on your laptop then you can sit in McDonalds for 2 weeks! Rockingham McDonalds has free wifi access.

More areas in Perth have wifi access. In 2007, ResourceNet was launched in Perth – Australia’s first Wi-Fi internet network which is free for everyone 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Known as the “Resources Quarter”, the area includes St Georges Terrace, and Hay and Murray Streets west from William Street, up to the Barracks Arch near Parliament House. Free Wi-Fi spots are also available outside of the city centre, such as the main streets of Subiaco, Leederville and Mt Lawley. Fremantle café strip has free Wi-Fi along South Terrace, from Gino’s Café to the Capri Restaurant.

There are many more spots in Perth, and Perth Walkabout has compiled a handy listing of free wifi hotspots in Perth.

div>ADSL, Broadband, home based. When you arrive in your rental property you will be able to set up ADSL, Broadband, Dial-up, or even Satellite. We used BigPond which is part of Telstra, and were set up within about a week. Check whether ADSL or Broadband is available in the area you want, the ISP websites will point you to a search to check what is available. It is available in our property.

Other suppliers are Optus, IInet, Primus, but there are many more to choose from, and these will vary from area to area.

Mobile Broadband may be the way to go, again the above suppliers have products for you. By getting mobile broadband you will be able to use this wherever you move to without having to pay out a further connection fee, (subject to coverage areas). youcompare.com.au can show you the available options.