Prepaid Wireless Broadband query.

[4bee]

I'm looking for the above with no fixed contracts & Optus appears to have what I need at the moment for roaming using a laptop.
I won't be using it for downloading music etc, just browsing & E-mails.

But, I have heard "stories" (& that's all they may be & there may have been other contributing factors to this) that Optus BB can be quite slow. All other providers of any repute all appear to have plans, Voda, Virgin, 3G, Telstra which I do not want.

What is the collective's experience & views on this please?

Thanks in anticipation.

[jx2mad]

I believe Telstra also have prepaid mobile broadband. Jim

[Lotz-A-Landies]

A question at the top of my list too.

I have a Telstra pre-paid modem (gifted from flatmate), that can be used. However what would suit me is something I can use when A-roamin-in-the-gloaming, but most of the time I'll be using the cable broadband at home or my niece's WiFi broadband connection at the farm.

What would be really annoying would be something I have to top up with $something every 29.5 days exactly but not use a kilobit of download and I'd rather not pay $mega every month.

Diana

[StephenF10]

Telstra have NextG prepaid wireless broadband. See Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband - Telstra (http://www.telstra.com.au/bigpond_internet/prepaid_wireless.html)

The coverage and speed of NextG is way better than the others.

Stephen.

[abaddonxi]

I looked at this for that long train commute from Katoomba to UTS. Look at the coverage maps. I found that Telstra was the only service that would cover.

Simon

[4bee]

This is the Optus plan I was looking at, all things being equal, but as we know, they seldom are.:(

Just recharging to suit the time & download circumstances at that time.

Optus - Personal - Pre-Paid Wireless Rates (http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_wRHS&FP=/personal/internet/prepaidwirelessbroadband/prepaidwirelessrates&site=personal)

[Grover-98]

Virgin is great, i am using the 5GB a month for $29.95 no upfront fees and it is quick!

:)...i know its not prepaid sorry, but i am sure they would have one ;), personally steer clear of telstra they charge more for less!

[Waxenwane]

I have Crazy Johns, which is via Vodafone.
The prepaid setup cost me $139 and includes 1 gig of data which will remain usable for 30 days. The top up options range from $10 for 200mb to $49 for 3-4 gig, the beauty of it is that unused data is carried through the next month so about 10 gig can be accumulated.
Coverage and speed wise has been very good and it is faster than my adsl service which I have now switched off.
From spending about $80 a month with ADSL my monthly spend is now less than $50.:D

[Camo]

Telstra have NextG prepaid wireless broadband. See Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband - Telstra (http://www.telstra.com.au/bigpond_internet/prepaid_wireless.html)

The coverage and speed of NextG is way better than the others.

Stephen.

Totally agree.. way more expensive but at least it gets coverage

Camo

[Grover-98]

after looking at the optus pre paid i would highly suggest going with the virgin deal!, they have some as low as i think 9.90 for 1GB

[4bee]

Whose network does Voda use, anyone know? I "think" I heard it was Optus, but not sure. What about Virgin's network as well?

At first glance this Voda looks a reasonable deal. But is it? :confused:

Prepaid Mobile Broadband - Vodafone Online Store (http://store.vodafone.com.au/prepaid-mobile-broadband.aspx)

Having a problem finding the ongoings.:mad:

[4bee]

To answer my own question. Virgin use Optus 3G/HSDPA it seems.

Horses for courses as for most things it appears.

https://www.virginmobile.com.au/shop/p-388-huawei-e169.aspx?ProductConfigID=388&ProductSubID=420&ProductConfigurationProductID=388

[Outlaw]

DON'T TOUCH 3

Unfortunately they don't actually know there coverage areas :Rolling:

[Camo]

DON'T TOUCH 3

Unfortunately they don't actually know there coverage areas :Rolling:

Thats what my wife has.. 3 is fricken crap! lucky she got 1GB free with her phone plan as I wouldn't pay money for it.

Camo

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Well I thought I would try the Telstra NextG Turbo modem my flatmate had and went to the Telstra Shop suburbs away. They said the modem is a post pay modem but will still work on the NextG system with a pre-pay SIM. The problem was is that they have a problem with having to download software.

Paid for the new SIM. Went back to work and sat in the BigPond sponsored cafe which has a free wireless hotspot and downloaded lots of software like anti-virus etc (new laptop) but do you think I could find the software for the Telstra modem anywhere on the Telstra or BigPond sites - not a hope.

Googled the name found a link to the drivers on a gaming forum then downloaded. Opened the zip and read the manual. Yes compatible with Vista proceeded with the install, but every time I get a error message "not compatible with this platform.

I need not tell you about my experience with the Telstra/Bigpond call centres, just to say that one of the many operators insisted the software was in the modem and I had to re-start the computer (remember I had just downloaded lots of install software) and it wasn't. errrrgggghhh :mad:

Well the modem is still not working.

Diana

[incisor]

which modem?

Wireless Broadband - Devices - Telstra BigPond (http://www.bigpond.com/internet/plans/wireless/wireless_devices/)

is it one of them?

[abaddonxi]

Well I thought I would try the Telstra NextG Turbo modem my flatmate had and went to the Telstra Shop suburbs away. They said the modem is a post pay modem but will still work on the NextG system with a pre-pay SIM. The problem was is that they have a problem with having to download software.

Paid for the new SIM. Went back to work and sat in the BigPond sponsored cafe which has a free wireless hotspot and downloaded lots of software like anti-virus etc (new laptop) but do you think I could find the software for the Telstra modem anywhere on the Telstra or BigPond sites - not a hope.

Googled the name found a link to the drivers on a gaming forum then downloaded. Opened the zip and read the manual. Yes compatible with Vista proceeded with the install, but every time I get a error message "not compatible with this platform.

I need not tell you about my experience with the Telstra/Bigpond call centres, just to say that one of the many operators insisted the software was in the modem and I had to re-start the computer (remember I had just downloaded lots of install software) and it wasn't. errrrgggghhh :mad:

Well the modem is still not working.

Diana

EDIT: It's the last link:D

Try here-
Maxon Product FAQ - Telstra Turbo Modem (http://www.maxon.com.au/faq.php#2.3.4)
Download Maxon Drivers & Manuals (http://www.maxon.com.au/downloads.php?p=1)

Oops, think that's the older version of the modem.

Try here-
Telstra Turbo 21 Modem - Telstra - Wireless ISPs (http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1158188.html)


NOPE

Try here-
Telstra - Wireless ISPs - Whirlpool Broadband Forums (http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-threads.cfm?f=18&g=127)
and here-

Finally

Here 'tis
CalAmp+Collaborates+with+Sierra+Wireless+to+Integr ate+3G+Cellular+Connectivity+in+New+Wireless+Meter +Reading+Communication+Platform%3c%2fbr%3e (http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/show_support_and_downloads.aspx?id=16,53,1,1)

Simon

[4bee]

Thank you for your advice with this.:)

3 is off the lis, & Virgin appears to be the most likely choice for me atm.

My ISP here, Internode have recently commissioned their own network using Optus 3G only as the final delivery. Their USB modem is $199 with no data allowance included though but you can purchase blocks of data.

Ho hum.:( As I said ^^, Horses for courses.

[incisor]

apart from just the coverage issues, you need to be looking at the throughput speeds etc.

telstra wins by a county mile on that front.

i spent weeks and weeks chasing up wireless and related issues before deciding which mob i would sell.

i an now a telstra dealer, fixed line, mobile and wireless etc ;)

no one else comes close even tho they are dearer that do actually have the backbone to back up their claims.

i dont have to deal with their support area directly, thankfully

[Lotz-A-Landies]

which modem?

Wireless Broadband - Devices - Telstra BigPond (http://www.bigpond.com/internet/plans/wireless/wireless_devices/)

is it one of them?
None of them

The Telstra Turbo Modem (Moxon USB3-8521)

http://www.taa.net.au/products/images/card_turbomodem.jpg

But may have sorted the problem after 4 call centre operators (all Filipino sounding) although I haven't yet been able to browse I have received an SMS.

[abaddonxi]

Looks like a world of horror.

Have you tried their forum?
* MAXON AUSTRALIA * :: Index (http://www.maxon.com.au/forum/index.php'sid=e6b6111a5005d541d33e4b3accb0da0e)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Looks like a world of horror....like a world of horror; a world of horror; of horror; horror; horror; horror! :mad:

[4bee]

i dont have to deal with their support area directly, thankfully:D That's the main reason we ditched them when we were using BP.
It was as though the persons were only given about 10 seconds to sort the problem & then started to give one the bum's rush.

For such a huge communications company, they were certainly lacking in many respects.
I suspected they employed students on their Support Desk. Or idiots.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Not sure if I'm happy or angry.

Gave up on the process this morning, came back to it this evening and another 3 wait queues and 3 operators the final one a technician was able to solve the issue. Now its all working. :)

The angry bit, the technician "was required to inform me" that the Telstra NextG Turbo Modem is not supported by Telstra PrePay because it's a Telstra Post Pay device. What the heck???? Telstra does not support Telstra products, it's not even a BigPond device it's a Telstra device. Are they trying to tell me that they are not the same company? I'm a Telstra (T1) shareholder and I only get one dividend from Telstra, not a dividend from each of the subsidiaries. Get real if the product was sold by a Telstra division and is used on a Telstra service it should be supported by Telstra. :mad:

[4bee]

It sounds as though that policy was drafted by one of my idiots.:D

[tracker]

I ended up with optus p/paid.Where I was working (s/w toowoomba )telstra kept dropping out.Optus comes in 7.2 and quick.I have also slipped a virgin card in and it works so I guess they are unlocked.

[Bytemrk]

My suggestions is that you start with where you intend to use it and which provider has decent coverage.

I have both Telstra and an Optus postpaid access ( c/o work). While I agree with Inc that the speed winner hands down is Telstra... if I am in an area like most of Melbourne where I can get full 7.2 meg speed out of Optus, the speed difference really makes bugger all difference for what I do.

When you look at the cost of prepaid data between Optus and Telstra , frankly Telstra should be ashamed...

If you spend $60 with Telstra you will get 750meg... Optus give you 4 Gig! ( 4.6 if you buy it online)... how do they justify that! And as others have mentioned you can get it cheaper again via Virgin using Optus's network. (Yes both Telstra and Optus give you 6 gig foir $100... but Telstra force you to use it all in 30 days.)

That said if the coverage area is slightly marginal.. there is no question Telstra is by far your best and only real choice.

One other minor thing to be aware of, Optus meter their prepaid in 10 blocks... so if you hop on and off a lot to check small emails - you will use data far faster than you would think.

Anyway that's why I always start with where will be it be used.... cheap is useless if there is no cover... super fast is nice... but at over 5 times the cost... :eek: I'll go a little slower thanks..

Just my thougts....

Mark

[sclarke]

I did the research on coverage more then a plan.
Telstra is the only one with real coverage...

I work in the Yarra Valley. Vodaphone, Optus and 3 could not give me coverage in my areas i work. I i bought a Telstra Prepaid USB stick.

$149 and i bought a $20 prepaid top up...
The $10 included in the $149 was enough, so the $20 was a waste of $$$
so next time i'll just buy the $10 top up...

Its perfect for me to get online while at work to download manuals and log into my auctions..... hehe

[waynep]

I have Next G wireless ( not prepaid - I'm on a plan - but coverage /speed is the same.)
Currently I'm in Cloncurry sitting outside my tent online and it's as fast if not faster than my ADSL at home.
I'm no fan of Telstra but have to admit Next G is pretty good if you're touring like us.

Oh ... travellers ... get the PC card version rather than the USB stick, as you can fit an external antenna to the PC/Express cards ...not so the USB.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Oh ... travellers ... get the PC card version rather than the USB stick, as you can fit an external antenna to the PC/Express cards ...not so the USB.Actually off all the hassles geting my NextG happening, the one thing is that the Telstra Turbo Modem does have external antenna capability.

Not sure that I want a second 3G antenna on the bullbar, with the HF and UHF antennae as well so the NextG may end up with the old glass mount antenna, just have to get a patch lead.

Diana

[MarknDeb]

This i have been hunting on info aswell for when we do our trips, especially the Tassi trip this year, i found Telstra is basicaly the one that give 3g wireless service down there. The only thing i can find price wise Telstra is a little more expensive

[4bee]

Some more on this.

http://apcmag.com/prepaid-wireless-mobile-broadband-optus-telstra-three-and-vodafone-compared.htm




An interesting test of providers speeds. Obviously there would be variables, but I suppose it gives an idea.

Test 1: load Sydney Morning Herald (http://apcmag.com/load_sydney_morning_herald.htm)