Wireless Internet Thread Restarted

dolphinrider · Veteran Member

Wireless Internet Thread Restarted

Patto44 · Senior Member

Not sure if Optus answered your question satisfactorly for you -
I have just got a 'dongle' from Optus and on the side is a little plastic plug - that is where the external antenna plugs in.
Do you have the dongle plugged into a 3g router/modem?
That is how you can use two computers at once.

Cheers
Patto

dolphinrider · Veteran Member

No I don't! How much does the router modem cost?

Zoomtopz · Guru

Gee'z ya lost me
Don't let ya doodle dangle or ya end up with a dongle .
I'm glad I have a "teenager" who fixes those fingeze for Me
Richo

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I am interested in the optus dongle,

1. what is the cost of the dongle?

2. Do you have to go on a contract?

3. if yes, how long?

4. What is the total cost?

5. How much download do you get?

6. does it work in remote area's?

As you are asking Otus about the external antenna I will assume that the sig without the external antenna is not very strong, is this correct?

Onedodger · Guru

I had the Optus usb dongle for 2 years and also fitted an external antenna to the caravan then purchased patch leads to fit same antenna to both the Optus dongle and the next G mobile phone.

Here is the antenna.

http://store.comnet.com.au/details/2336493.html

Here is the patch lead.

http://store.comnet.com.au/details/2613341.html

This site has many solutions for phones and internet connections.

http://www.comnet.com.au/
I purchased them from this site and installed the antenna myself on the side of my poptop van so that it could be folded down when traveling.

I have since changed providers to Telstra / Bigpond ultimate and have purchased a patch lead to connect it to the same antenna.
The reason why I switched providers is that optus has bogged down a lot lately and goes back to almost dial up speed . And my 2 year contract was up.

You will also find that optus is not available in as many places as Telstra next G. and is also no-where near as fast.

Pricing for Me...
Optus .................. $49.95 per month for 3 Gig which was plentifull.
Bigpond/ Telstra....$49.95 per month for 3 Gig plus a $20 rebate each month because we have a Mobile and a Home phone with Telstra. = $29.95 per month contact for 2 years again.

Hope this all helps,
Cheers Dodg.

yeoeleven · Guru

http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_woRHS&FP=/personal/internet/wirelessbroadband&site=personal&tas=sem:omb&cid=SL_Mob_BB_001:BAU:OSC:OMB:SEM:Post_Wireless_BB:30062010&s_kwcid=TC|17954|optus%20wireless||S||8275372081

Hi Wombat,

I have been using Optus wireless after moving into a caravan without a land line and to date have had no problems. My plan is $29 per month paid as a direct debit so I don't have to worry about it. I have 3 gig of downloads if I use the peak times but if I download between midnight and seven AM I get double that.

I have looked closely at the dongle and it does have a plastic flap covering an ariel location and before I set off that will be examined. Also I do have an optus mobile telephone and that is paid for with the wireless direct debit. The link above will give you some idea of the different optus charges, you can prepay but it would be a nuisance whilst on the road.

John

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Onedodger & yeoeleven thanks for all the useful information, will have a look into it, at home I have 25gb per month not sure how I would go with only 3gb

Patto44 · Senior Member

I just signed for 24 month contract at $19 per month and the 'dongle' is included. That gives me 2gb, but there are many other plans available - check the web site. Other companies also have good deals avaiable.

It works wherever you get a 3g phone signal.

The Dlink 3g router was $88 at hardly normal, but several others available on the net. Make sure it is 3G.

Cheers
Patto

-- Edited by Patto44 on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 05:11:48 PM

dolphinrider · Veteran Member

Holy Toledo Wombat!!!! 25gb?? I'm on the 6gb plan and have only used 6gb once! But like to keep the 6 in case. evileye

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

dolphinrider wrote:

Holy Toledo Wombat!!!! 25gb?? I'm on the 6gb plan and have only used 6gb once! But like to keep the 6 in case.

Hi DR since going onto 25mb I have not gone over my limit I am pleased to say, pain in the bum going over and slowing down to dailup speed, used to do that every month.

brickies · Guru

Have been with telstra for 1 month wireless broadband 7 GB per mt. $59.95 discount to $39.95 per mt. if you have one other Telstra product . very happy much faster speed than our ADSL , running 2 computers using USB wireless modem

yeoeleven · Guru

I have looked into the antennae for the optus dongle, apparently they are versatile because the one I have just bought from an Optus Shop has suits TELSTRA NEXT-G USB MODEM printed on the wrapper.

The cost was $34.95 and the salesman told me that it would increase my signal strength here whilst in the caravan park and will dramatically increase the coverage area when on the road.

I have installed it with it's magnetic base on the caravan roof and my signal currently is showing at 99% with 4 bars showing as well as the first one with the antennae on top, I hovered the mouse over the bars and it read 99%.

Good information is coming from this thread, thanks to all posters.

John

brickies · Guru

Remember you have it on your camper van roof which is metal magnetic base wont work on aluminum which most caravan roof are, but antennas are a great help

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

will not stick on mine, all fibre glass.

milo · Guru

yeah the harvey norman 3g routers should be ok, at home im on 200 gigs pm but usually 1p0 gigs when on the road