WIRELESS INTERNET

solotravelguy · Member

WIRELESS INTERNET

dave06 · Guru

wish I could help you here but this is out of my league, when we nick off we leave all the rubbish behind including interweb. sorry!!!

Basil Faulty · Guru

Ahhhhhhhhhhh Un leash the USB sticks..... Mate really dosent mate who you go with or what stick you buy these things all run of the 3G network. As much as it pains me Telstra has the best coverage but Optus, Virgin 3 etal have better deals with slightly reduces coverage. No mobile coverage = no internet....

If you are going into isolated areas the only way to stay in touch with practicality is with a sat phone or sat net.....

Have a squizz here; http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/

Here is some wireless details: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-threads.cfm?f=18

This USB modem thingy seems to get good press; http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/hardware/?action=h_view&model_id=779

ALSO CHECK THAT DATA IS ONLY CHARGED FOR DOWNLOAD some well most charge both ways for data

Patricia · Veteran Member

We have BigPond 3G Wireless & when we travelled Vic & southern/northern NSW had no problems at all...well it wasn't quite that simple had signed up with Optus & prior to the 30day cooling off period I discovered that it was hopeless...midway through Vic I switched to Telstra...always read the fine print as Optus tried there hardest to charge me for opting out of plan on the 29th day....wireless is an expensive option but for me it was a necessary evil as I still work from home & so was able to take laptop etc & "get paid" whilst still travelling...now....given we are heading up the Centre I'm not so sure what the coverage is like...still I only need go on-line once a week so I probably will survive...I pay $114.95 per month (use this as my home interent as well) but you can get cheaper plans nowadays...guess if you can use it is you're home/holiday internet source it is worth considering...realise it all comes down to $$$ & when I eventually retire fully I'd have to reconsider.

tonyd · Guru

Gee, $114 a month is a bit hot! I have a Telstra USB stick ($149 one-off charge) and top it up with $30 a month. That gives me plenty of net surfing, emails etc. You can put in more or less. Only problem is remembering that credit expires if you forget to top it up monthly. I hate Telstra as much as anybody, but the bottom line is: it works.

rocan · Veteran Member

my son lives in cloncurry (train driver) and telstra 3g is the best for out there.not sure if he is on a plan or pay as u use.even though i don't like telstra i will be buying pre paid when we go to alice springs later this year.optus is starting up 3g sometime this year,don't know when
rocan

Basil Faulty · Guru

Virgin have 5 Gb for $39/month free usb modem....

Patricia · Veteran Member

I do know that when I did all the research into this that there were many providers out there who promised the world (Optus was one of them)...trouble was that most couldn't provide the wireless connection ...well at a speed that was reasonable)...do know that it has all become much cheaper now....thank heavens I don't carry the full cost!!

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

solotravelguy wrote:
The costs are high for what you seem to get for your money, and the coverage doesn't seem to be that great if you leave the coast, and for me that is a problem as I intend to go out western qld first then work my way up Nth.
Graeme

Hi Graeme;

Okay a few things first:

1. Wireless Internet is expensive, full stop.

2. You are never going to get blanket coverage everywhere, as Basil said, no mobile coverage = no Internet.

I use Exetel (www.exetel.com.au) and have the $5 setup, basically that gives you access for $5 a month, and you pay 1.5 cents for all data transferred, now if your using the net a lot this can be costly, but for just checking e-mails and this forum now and then its pefect and it doesn't cost you a fortune for times when you are not within range of a cell.

Exetel also have a $37 a month plan which gives you 5gb.
They use the Optus 3g network.

If your going to get a USB modem I would suggest ensuring that it is the Huawei E-169 model, the E-169 will allow you to connect an external antenna to it, thus increasing your coverage range.

But wait theres more....

Optus, and its variants, those who use the Optus network, such as Virgin and Exetel are on a different part of the band then Telstra for example, so you MUST make sure the 3g antenna you are buying is for Optus, not Telsta or it won't work so well at all, the two bands are quite a distance apart frequency wise.

If you desperately need Internet everywhere and anywhere, I suggest you check into Satellite access, although I've heard that satellite is not the be all and end all of Internet in the scrub either, as sometimes the sats won't lock or you just won't have signal etc, so I have been told. You can check out www.ausnomadtech.com.au for Satellite Internet, they seem to have the best deals on portable sat access.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Satellite is much more expensive, and not as reliable as mobile wireless broadband.
Depending on your planned usage pre-paid would be your best bet.
Telstra Bigpond has the best coverage for the money. Other providers have more complicated conditional plans I believe. Too many loop holes.
After purchasing the USB Card, on the plan you can get 1GB per month for $59.95 per month, and pay 25c per every mb overuse.
I have gone over and had to pay but most months I'm within my usage.
I'm not sure what it costs to set up the pre-paid mobile, wireless broadband, but I would image you would have total control after installation. Pay for what you use, but I don't know what they charge per GB or MB. More homework I'm afraid.
Bigpond has actually reduced it's charges by $30 per month for the 1GB plan.
You will have coverage at most towns. As said previously, if you have 3G phone coverage, you will have mobile, wireless broadband coverage. Strength will vary from town to town.
I use it for communication, information research and earning money from my writing, by sending stories to Groovy Grandmas Website Magazine.
Like everything we want to buy which costs money, do your homework and find out what will suit you. Don't let them boggle you with techno-speak. Ask questions and don't stop until you have all the answers that you understand. It's you money.
Cheers Chris

twobob · Guru

I have the pre paid Telstra (not bigpond) usb stick. It cost $149 completely setup, AND is useless for me.

The principle is right, and I can use it. It just does not come with ability to install an external areial. OK in the city, but extremely variable further out.

I suggest you read the "tech forum" and if you have a half decent phone and can set it up to use as a modem, then that may be the better way to go. Its still Telstra, but the phone should compensate for the usb's failings.

I also have Sat for home. Works fine. A roaming Sat is different, as you need a provider who will give you this ability, and some understanding on setup each time for use.

Bubs · Senior Member

I use what is called the 'local public library'. All I need to do is register at one library in each state. You are given a code and password, then I can park outside any library in that state, and use their wireless to my hearts content!!! If there is no seperate Public library in the small towns, they are usually incorporated into the local school library. It's FREEEEEEEEE!!!
I can go in and use their computors, or sit outside afterhours and use my own. I use my own for when I use Skype to talk to the family. Only because the programme is not downloaded on their computors. I have found this service invaluable and easy.
I also have a 3G A411 Samsung prepaid Telstra phone that I use as a modem (saved buying the $149 telstra one) and buy $10 100mb datapack if I think I am going somewhere where there is possibily NO school library! Did it once but then clicked into the library and I haven't had to do it again since!
Cheers,
Dianne

Popeye · Senior Member

Here Here Bubs I do the same.
Popeye

-- Edited by Popeye on Thursday 7th of May 2009 12:21:06 PM

twobob · Guru

Good news. Went into the local library, but no WIFI. Seems it is only available in Rocky main Library