Thread: NextG data speed

We got a Bigpond Next G Express card modem last year when we went away for 3 months. We disconnected the home ADSL intending to go ADSL2 when we got back.

But since we got back we have stuck with the NextG for out sole home internet access ( only the two of us ). We don't need WiFi because we can use the laptop in any room, or anywhere really.

I am not sure if the direct Express card slot is any faster than a connected phone via USB. The advantage of the Express card is that an external antenna can be connected to it, but only certain laptops have the Express card slot. ( we have a Dell )

For what we need it is fine - runs ABC IView full screen video fine..

Not cheap, but we're not paying for any other internet service.

I'm with Vodafone for my phone, but have a Telstra pre-pay SIM and Telstra NextG modem (orange Maxxon modem) which I use for remote areas (which for Vodafone, means anything more than 5 klicks off any Highway or West of Dubbo). Sometimes I tether the phone and use the Telstra SIM. However I am informed that Telstra throttle the modem speeds for pre-pay.

Does anyone know if this is true?

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

However I am informed that Telstra throttle the modem speeds for pre-pay.

Does anyone know if this is true?

I just checked with the Product Manager here at Telstra. No this is not true - there is no throttling for Pre-Paid wireless broadband.

Speed is a function of the device type you are using, distance from the surrounding NextG base stations and other users sharing these base stations.

Telstra currently sells 2 speeds of Pre-paid wireless brodband modems, 3.6Mbps and 7.2Mbps, priced form $79. There are faster ones available on postpaid I belive - up to 21Mpbs (which I have )

As PhilipA has correctly pointed out the option of using your NextG phone as a tethered modem with a data pack is probably the cheapest option as you're only paying for one device, and the data reates are slightly cheaper. On PrePaid wireless broadband $80 gets you 4GB and expires in 30 days, compared to the $79 for 6GB postpaid data pack.

Before you buy a NextG phone for such use be sure to check it's data speed (some are 3.6Mbps, some are 7.2 Mbps) and that it's software supports your laptop's OS.

with a data pack you will also need an internet account ??

Originally Posted by richard4u2

with a data pack you will also need an internet account ??

No - just a postpaid NextG mobile phone on a plan of your choice, like the one PhilipA mentions.

When we go bush next year, thats what I plan to do, and use Gmail as my main contact method.

I live in an area without ADSL and Ive been using the next g system for a while and Ive made a few observations.

I use 2 devices, the original unit is a Telstra T6 phone with Join me software.

The second device is one of the white prepaid internet USB sticks.

I use both of these devices with my eMac and my Windows 7 notebook.

The speed depends on a few things, reception, weather conditions and cell congestion.

I also have experience with the home base units.

The devices get hot, real hot.

As they are USB it depends on the USB connection and a direct connection to the machine is important.

Running the stick or phone via a USB hub will limit the speed.

USB 1.1 allowed a maximum transfer rate of 12Mbits/second. It is now obsolete, but both of its speeds (1.5Mbps & 12Mbps) are being adopted into USB 2.0, and they are now called Original USB officially. Though some manufacturers label their products Full-Speed USB.
Note that this seems a bit deceptive as it's easy to mistake Full-Speed for Hi-Speed.
Be aware that Full Speed USB is only 12Mbits/second where Hi-Speed USB mode is capable of a much faster 480Mbits/second.

In theory this is fast but there will often be hardware restrictions at the board level especially if you use an external hard drive.

Now for the Next G system's, I found out that apart from weather knocking the speed around a bit the actual Phone tower or Cell will also mess about with your speed depending on a few things including cell congestion and the amount of time you have been online and it manifests itself as low speed or hangups where the internet just stops although the hardware seems to be working fine.
This necessitates a reboot of the phone or the ejecting of the USB device and then reconnecting.

It also seems that buying a browse pack for your phone is cheaper than it is to buy a browse pack for your internet stick so obviously telstra has a sinister plan for those of you not toeing the party line.............

it works and for me beats the hell out of dialup but if I had a choice between copper line ADSL and wireless?

Id go copper every time.

Yes , I have an Optusnet ADSL2 and it finds my email automatically even via telstra so no need for gmail or changing addresses.
Regards Philip A
re above.
I found a couple of places where the Next G failed completely. The locals are not fazed as they accept it will be out a couple of days until Telstra fixes it. It happened to me in Cloncurry completely and in Alice Springs where it just would not work at any speed, and I suspect someone/government/business was uploading lots of data.
But a bit inconvenient if you have been in the boonies for several days with no contact.
REgards ditto