Hello,
I know a lot of you out there are using internet but my question is, what are people using and how do they find it.
I myself found traveling to WA, that once I got out of any town internet and phone service were no good until I hit the next town, which in WA can be a very long drive.
I don't want to use satellite phone ( they cost a arm and leg and I only got 2 of each and don't want to lose any )
Vince

But doesn't Telstra claim to cover 98% of the population?  

I found on my travels once you got outside the major towns you have very patchy coverage, even at home (Wingham NSW) 5 minutes drive to the North we lose coverage, and same when heading NW/W coverage is again patchy, any other provider apart from Telstra is unusable, as we found out when the PHB in Sydney put all company phones on Vodaphone, there was a surge in Telstra prepaid sales that month, so we could do business.

We use Telstra mobile phones, and have just gone to Telstra mobile Wifi for internet.

I am quite surprised at the how good the wifi actually is- we use a prepaid account, and you can use it for up to 5 devices.

Previously we had an account for each device and were always looking to recharge one or another. This way is one account for all of them... heaps better.

And if we have no Telstra cover, then we just have to live without it- as the kids say- like in the olden days.

I have been surprised how often I have not had Telstra service on my mobile in central QLD and northern NSW. And I've missed important calls. I now ask people to text me rather than call as when I am next in range at least I can get their message. However my Optus internet dongle thingy has had more reception than my Telstra phone. Should I have gone for an Optus phone?

jules47 wrote:

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No definitely plodnalong - sometimes reception is just where you are located - i.e. some places I can't get any reception (Telstra) on either phone or internet if I am inside the Starship - even just outside under the awning - but move away from there - and no problems. Was at a place the othr day and the only way to make a call was to climb up onto a brick wall - felt a bit weird, but others were doing it as well - worked.

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 A couple of years back we couldn't get Telstra in our house. We used to have to stand in the middle of the road out the front of the house. Was a bit of an inconvenience normally, but on Saturday nights, because we happen to be situated on the most popular path to the local watering hole, it could be a bit dicey. All good now though since a couple more towers have been installed. But generally speaking, Telstra do seem to have the best coverage Australia wide.