Setting up a new house is one of those stressful times in our lives that we’d rather forget.

There’s so much we have to think about, from packing countless boxes to sorting out electricity and redirecting post. Our most recent move was a rollercoaster of minor mishaps (a box of ‘ancient’ photo albums went missing) to minor worries (the dog ran off to explore the new suburb and was later found at the local shops!)

Then, we had no water for 24 hours, the furniture delivery truck had an unexplained two-day delay and two out of three kids came down with a horror flu mid-relocation.

Whilst my skills as a multi-tasker were sorely tested, I’m relieved to say that the most seamless part of our recent move was staying connected with Optus Home Wireless Broadband.

Optus Home Wireless Broadband is a simple plug and play internet device that was not only a godsend during the move but has continued to keep our family surfing the net with ease.

As a writer who spends a lot of time working from a home office – on top of juggling three children who are incredibly fond of the internet – I was amazed at how quickly it was to get set up and how simple it was to use.

So how can you ensure the same for your family?

First, you need to run a quick online check to make sure Optus Home Wireless Broadband is available at your existing home or your new address. Your pack comes through the post in just a couple of days with everything you need: a HUAWEI E5 186 modem, a SIM card, power adaptor, network cable and a user guide.

Then there are only THREE steps to get set-up.

The first step is simple – just activate and insert the SIM card. The second step involves plugging in the power adaptor. Then, all you need to do is press the ‘Power’ button on the modem and wait until a solid blue light appears. This might take a couple of minutes. Next, you need to decide how you’d like to connect. If you want to use the Ethernet cable, all you do is insert one end into one of four LAN ports. Then insert the other end into your laptop or PC (up to four devices can be connected using the LAN ports). If you want a cable-free connection to your laptop or tablet, simply press the button at the side of the modem – so simple!

Optus has really taken the hassle out of setting up your new home by giving you one less thing to worry about – with no need for countless cables or a technician.

Before you’ve even begun unpacking dozens of boxes, you can set up your internet in less than five minutes, get the kids off your back and start tackling your online ‘to do’ list.

It’s also perfect for a family like ours that does a lot of travelling around NSW. Do a quick online check to confirm whether Home Wireless Broadband is available at your holiday destination and you can simply pack the modem in the car and take it with you.

I’d also highly recommend Optus Home Wireless Broadband for renters who would prefer a hassle free internet solution which doesn’t require the landlord’s permission or property alterations.

You can choose between a 24 month, 12 month plan, or month-by-month contract and all plans come with 200GB of data per month – yep, there really is a plan to suit everyone.

As a journalist who mostly works from home, it’s been a perfect solution for me and my family and I’ve been so impressed with the speed.

In a metro area with 2300 MHz coverage, download and upload speeds of up to 12/1Mbps are available. (If 2300 MHz coverage isn’t available, you can still enjoy speeds of up to 5/1 Mbps.)

Cost-wise for me it’s cheaper than my plan with another network. If you’re a new or existing Home Wireless Broadband customer, you’ll get 200GB of data for just $80 a month on a 24-month contract (minimum total cost of $1,920) or a month-to-month plan with minimum total of $320 in the first month, including the modem fee. Or $90 a month on a 12-month contract, with a minimum total cost of $1080.

I’m really happy with Optus Home Wireless Broadband and my only regret is that it wasn’t available the last time I went through the ‘trauma’ of moving house!