UPDATE: iinet BoB is no longer the only modem in the iinet family. BoB Lite has been released! It doesn’t have all the features of the original BoB – but it is still a 4 port, wireless, VoIP enabled, ADSL2+ modem for a super cheap price. For more info please read our iinet BoB Lite review. BoB2 has also been released – for more info please read our BoB2 Review.
At first glance, BoB looks like a 4 port wireless modem with a phone handset to use with Naked DSL VoIP. But when you look a little deeper it’s far more than that. BoB is a fantastic All in One device which is super easy to set up and includes a stack of great features. Here are five important BoB features:
#1 - BoB is incredibly easy to set up. You just plug it in and it automatically configures itself with your iinet broadband account and settings. All you need to do is plug the power cord into the wall and the phone cable into the wall socket. BoB works just fine on Apple Mac too.
#2 - BoB has 4 ethernet ports and has excellent wireless range, in fact up to twice the range of standard 802.11g wireless modems and also faster wireless data transmissions at 300Mbps.
#3 - BoB has two high speed USB ports. One of the ports is labelled “storage/3G” and has several impressive features. Firstly you can plug in a USB hard drive or flash drive into BoB and all files will be shared throughout your wireless network. Secondly you can plug in a 3G USB modem (dongle) so you can share your wireless broadband connection between multiple devices if you need to. There will be a future firmware upgrade to enable this technology.
#4 - The second USB port is labelled “charge” and you can charge your mobile phones, portable music players or anything that charges through a USB cable.
#5 - BoB looks great! This might not be the most important feature, but it’s a good one nonetheless. Most wireless modems which are used for Naked DSL VoIP have an antenna sticking out the top of them. The phone handsets don’t match the modem colour and overall it can be a pretty ugly mess. BoB on the other hand has a great, slick design with no external antenna and the handset matches just beautifully.
iinet Plans for BoB
BoB is made especially for Naked DSL – which is fast ADSL2+ broadband without having to pay line rental every month! iinet Naked DSL includes a free VoIP account with unlimited calls to landlines in Australia. With iinet you can also transfer your Telstra landline phone number to VoIP.
BoB is a VoIP modem and integrates perfectly with iinet VoIP so you can make phone calls with a BoB handset or your own handset. The iinet Naked DSL plans start at $59.95 per month.
See the iinet Naked DSL Plans >>
You don’t have to get a BoB modem to get iinet’s Naked DSL service. Other ADSL2+ VoIP modem brands like Billion, Open Networks, Netgear and Netcomm will work fine with iinet. But they will require some configuration at the time of set up. On the other hand BoB comes pre-configured and is extremely easy to set up.
If for some reason you don’t want to go Naked, you can use BoB with ADSL2+ if you like and retain your landline phone service.
Other Features
If you already have your own phone handsets then they will likely be compatible with BoB. If you buy a handset with BoB, then it comes with the charging unit inbuilt.
You also don’t have to use BoB with VoIP. You can use your standard PSTN phone line if you would like. But if you use iinet ADSL2+ with VoIP, then BoB will make calls by default using VoIP and will revert to PSTN if your internet connection drops out.
If you get iinet Naked DSL, which comes with a free VoIP account and unlimited local and national calls, BoB will work just fine as your all in one modem, wireless router and VoIP handset base.
The iinet BoB modem is also NOT locked to iinet, so you can easily change the settings and use it with another ISP if you want to.
Click Here For More Details on the iinet Website>>
BoB Pricing
So how much does BoB cost? BoB is made by Belkin, the high quality modem and router supplier, so it’s not budget equipment. BoB is a highly featured device that will offer you far more than a standard 4 port wireless router. If you want a handset, then it’s $269 on a 24 month plan. Without a handset it’s $209. Additional handsets are $69 each.
If you are after the cheapest modem possible, then BoB isn’t for you. Simply sign up with iinet and select the BYO modem option and get a modem from elsewhere. But if you are after a well-featured, smart looking modem that is extremely easy to set up, then BoB is a great choice.
Click here for all BoB pricing options>>
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IInet would be good if they didnt include uploads with the downloads plan limit..
This is like a scam from the 90′s; antiquated and obtuse.
Their pricing is also a bit rediculous…
They have 2 primary services, ADSL2+ and Naked..
Naked has free Italk, but ADSL has VOIP… ? Difference: none really – like mutten dressed up as lamb and given a funky name.
Finally, their relocation fee.
$99 to relocate, yet $79 to create an account? make sense? not really. Difference: none.
They will waive the $99 if you sign a contract, but not the $79 (of $150 for Naked).
They will allow you no downtime if moving (10-15 days no internet usual) if you create a new account, but not if you transfer… Confused yet?
Its all oddly over complicated and a bit rude.
I’ve been a customer for 5 years, and i’m getting out, Bob or No Bob.
Hi Jack,
that’s an interesting spin on iinet Naked DSL – thanks for your thoughts.
I definitely agree that the iinet plans would be better without counting uploads. None of the other major Naked DSL providers count uploads. But a lot of the people we help get connected to Naked DSL don’t mind that uploads are counted. They see the other iinet benefits as being more important. But it definitely doesn’t work for everyone – but a lot of people don’t care.
There are some fundamental technical differences between Naked DSL and ADSL2+. I’m not sure why they have several different pricing models for their VoIP plans, but I don’t get too caught up with it. iinet Naked DSL VoIP (iiTalk) is an incredible deal. Unlimited local and national calls to landlines for free is a really popular feature.
Some of the technical differences between ADSL2+ and Naked DSL may account for the differences in relocation pricing and set up procedures.
I’m not here to defend iinet, but the fact that there are differences between ADSL2+ and Naked DSL pricing and procedure doesn’t concern me much. Naked DSL is a completely difference service. It would be great if they got rid of uploads from the quotas. But with unlimited free landline calls on VoIP, the ability to keep your home phone number and a top quality network, iinet has a great Naked DSL service.
Does bob work as a wireless router as well?
Hi Nick,
yes, BoB does work at a wireless router as well as everything else it does.
Cheers,
Luke
This was an overly positive review… I hate to say it, but I’m suspicious. Does the writer have any interest in giving such overt praise (and absolutely no negative comments) about the brand?
Hi Melanie,
thanks for the feedback. This review (and others we publish on our site from time to time) is a features based review. We don’t think a modem is like a car where there might be a lot of good features, but then some that really annoy you. Modems should be easy to set up and just sit there working away so we never have to worry about them. And that’s exactly what BoB did for us. So in our review we preferred to look at the features that makes BoB such a different modem from others in the market place.
I hope it is also clear in the review that it’s definitely not cheap compared to modems with some of the same functionality. But when it comes down to being easy to set up, it’s a clear winner. That will suit some people and others not at all.
We have a lot of praise for iinet because we think they are a great ISP. We have the same relationship with them as we do with all other ISPs featured on this site. In order to be balanced, a negative thing about iinet it is that they count uploads as well as downloads on Naked DSL plans and they also took away the $49.95 plan. But they also made amends in boosting the $59.95 plan to 50GB peak and 50GB off peak. Like all internet plans and modems there is no one perfect solution, just deals and offers that suit some people better than others, depending on circumstances!
Hope that helps explain where we’re coming from
Bob is easy to setup and use and when it works it is fast, however the handset is useless. Poor sound quality sometimes taking up to 67 seconds for a call to connect. I have had lots of problems with my first BOB. Internet didnt work much kept getting kicked off and the phone part, well for 12 weeks i had limited or no service. In the end they replaced my modem. Well it was good for 2 months then earlier today the unit just freezed up. I called tech support, no matter how they tried they could not get it going, so again this is the second the unit that that is not working. Needless to say I will not be obtaining another bob unit, I dont like it and nothing good to say about my experience with the unit and the amount of time I have to wait for replacements. IInet customer service though is excellent and they try to hep you out heaps to no avail.
Thanks for your sharing your experience Sandra. I think it highlights a couple of good points – firstly that no consumer electronics equipment is perfect. We know of a few people who have had to have their BoB units replaced. In most cases the replacement unit has been fine. Unfortunately not though in your situation. Belkin (BoB manufacturer) is a well known an respected brand of modem, but the warranty is there for a reason! It sounds like it’s been a difficult situation for you, which I am sure iinet is not happy about.
Secondly I am glad you mentioned that iinet customer service is excellent – it’s something that we have always experienced from them. Tech equipment will always give you issues from time to time, but it’s good to have knowledgeable, helpful customer service staff on the other end of the phone.
Intresting that iinet will take Bob back but the consumer is still left holding 24 month contract. Only reason some may have sign up is that Bob is advertised as a free offer under a 24 month contract. Somthing is not right iinet just took bob back based my continude diconection issues with the unit. No dramers at al,l but try getting out of the line and internet service.
Bob has left the building………..
Hey Chris,
that’s an interesting point. I think this highlights why the ACCC has been so strong on making phone and internet companies supply details of total minimum cost on all contracts. If you sign up for 24 months, there are minimum costs and obligations for the consumer. I think it’s a very similar situation to a mobile phone plan. You are signing up for a plan for 24 months and that’s your commitment. The phone companies sweeten the deal by throwing in mobile phones etc But regardless of what happens to your mobile, you still have a 24 month commitment to the phone company. Thankfully some companies like Vodafone are now offering 24 month warranties. Just like iinet also offers an ongoing warranty with BoB if you are renting your BoB modem. If you want a cheap ADSL2+ modem to buy instead of renting and committing to 24 months, check out Cormain.com.au.
I am also not aware that iinet has ever offered BoB as a free offer with a 24 month contract. There is the $0 upfront rental option or the buy BoB with a discount if you sign up for 24 months. If you take the $0 upfront rental option, then iinet will provide a warranty if there are any technical issues with the modem. So it shouldn’t be any reason to need to cancel your 24 month contract.
Just wondering if I can hook a more powerful wireless router to this Belkin Bob unit to achieve a better wireless signal around the house. I have a spare D-link DI-624 and if it would help I would like to use it.
Your thoughts?
Cheers and thanks ..Bruce
Hi Bruce,
this sounds like a good idea to us. If it is properly configured it should help give stronger wireless signal around the house.
Good luck!