20 things to do with a big, fast Internet plan: Listen to Internet radio

Digital radio might offer access to a few dozen stations, but internet radio over broadband brings the world to your doorstep. If you want to listen to traditional radio stations online, start with a visit to Australia's official digital radio website, which lets you listen live through your web browser.

You'll find another good list of Australian radio streams at www.australianliveradio.com, plus an extensive global directory at www.surfmusic.de.

Apart from traditional radio stations, you can also listen to a vast range of online-only stations from websites such as Live365.com and yp.shoutcast.com. Other services such as Last.Fm, Rhapsody and Pandora let you customise your own radio station, although some are US-only and require a Virtual Private Network.

Aside from listening in your web browser, you can also listen to many internet radio stations using media player software such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, WinAmp and RealPlayer. Which you use depends on the format used by the radio station.

Listening to internet radio doesn't require a computer. There are a handful of standalone internet radio devices on sale in Australia - from the likes of Sonos, Logitech, Pure, OXX and Asus - with more on the way.

If you're worried even your generous monthly limit isn't enough, some ISPs such as Internode, iiNet, iPrimus and Adam Internet offer unmetered access to internet radio stations. It doesn't apply to every internet radio service so make sure you double-check with your ISP.