I recently went to eastern USA & Canada and was pleased to find that my Telstra prepaid 3G had "global roaming" available without any action by me.
In the area that I travelled, for Canada the telco was Rodgers (their major carrier I believe) and for USA it was AT&T. Coverage seemed to be similar to Telstra here.
Of course the only really affordable calls were SMS.
We used a phone card purchased at a kiosk in Boston Mass for voice calls. The $5 card was used from hotel coin phones & lasted for 4 weeks with some time left. Call rate was only 1 cent per minute to Aussie landlines, or 10c/min if accessing their auto call centre via a toll free number. I assume it used VOIP. Quality was usually OK.
(For internet some hotels had free internet PCs - long queues - and almost all had free hotspots, either in room or in the lobby. Next time I will take a small net book or similar)
Sorry if I'm a bit off topic.
Cupie said
08:33 AM Dec 27, 2010
Re .. Mobiles overseas.
sorry .. I sent the message twice ... G
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 27th of December 2010 08:34:23 AM
ozi2 said
09:03 AM Dec 27, 2010
bill12 wrote:
Go away from any population centres and optus, vodaphone dodo, etc don,t work. Its as sinple as that. Hannivers- do you work for optus or something?The truth is their coverage is not great away from towns, and while cheaper, is not reliable.I would love cheaper phone calls and broadband, but The coverage must be there.
Hi guys, just my 2 cents worth, but if faced with a difficult or life threatening situation I want to know that I have the best chance of communicating and Optus just isnt viable as a remote service provider. We found them to be only marginally viable throughout Tasmania on our recent trip and then only around towns. ozi2
Beth54 said
09:37 AM Dec 27, 2010
I've been told that the only real total coverage is a satellite phone which is very expensive to buy and use.
Is that right Hanniver?
hannivers said
09:43 AM Dec 27, 2010
Hi ozi2'
Just isn't safe to risk you life on the possibility of a mobile phone working just anywhere, Tassie is a real problem, in your case you need to consider all other possible options, your health & survival is far too important. Would be cruel for anybody to recommend a mobile, you need better than that.
hannivers said
09:49 AM Dec 27, 2010
I know very little about satellite phones, there will be plenty of people on here with experience on that topic, when they reply also ask them about a new little gadget that texts via satellite, seen it online recently, not sure if messages are confirmed delivery though, Mobile phones will never ever provide complete coverage, never allow your life to depend on them. I am very new to this forum, possibly the satellite phone could be another strong topic already on here.
Happywanderer said
10:27 AM Dec 27, 2010
You should be able to edit your own post hanniver and delete phone numbers etc. I posted straight after your initial post and still have edit post facilities on there.
I think Cindy is away going by her front newsletter on greynomads, I could be wrong.
Much simpler to edit you own post.
gillyb said
03:20 PM Dec 27, 2010
So is 3G and Next G the same thing? I have an old iphone and at the moment I am with '3' but will change to Telstra before I set off on my trip in March, I want to be able to get the best coverage available incase of breakdown as I will be travelling alone, I was thinking about getting a pre paid only so that I don't end up with any nasty shock bills. I would appreciate any advise anyone can give me on this subject. Many thanks
jimricho said
06:19 PM Dec 27, 2010
Happywanderer wrote:
You should be able to edit your own post hanniver and delete phone numbers etc. I posted straight after your initial post and still have edit post facilities on there. I think Cindy is away going by her front newsletter on greynomads, I could be wrong. Much simpler to edit you own post.
I could stand to be corrected on this, but I think that after a day or so posts cannot be edited for reasons best known to the Sparklit/Activeboard people. (hosts of this forum).
Happywanderer said
07:23 PM Dec 27, 2010
You are right Jim, I went back into my post at 2nd place and tried to edit it. Got a message saying I don't have permission to edit this post.
Had no idea before. I wonder how long the actual edit lasts.
william the third said
10:02 PM Dec 27, 2010
G'day Gillyb, nextg is 3.5g or 3g on steroids.
william the third said
10:24 PM Dec 27, 2010
Update on my last post. telstra nextg is now 3.75g and will increase to 3.9 in a years time.
hannivers said
09:54 AM Dec 28, 2010
Persons have experienced poor & often non existant mobile coverage in areas where USB wireless modems still operate well, so they now will have more confidence in the wireless internet connection and not that dam mobile phone.
That's ok, but if 3G is allowing the USB wireless stick to work for data, why isn't there a 3G mobile connection or even 2G connection there to allow a mobile to work in that same location???
To me this is serious stuff, because something is not working properly, maybe phone carriers can explain, they promised the coverage. I know nobody should allow their lives to depend on mobiles but one day it could happen that way, not everyone has a laptop with them.
A chinese company called Hauwei actually produces most of those USB modem sticks, they are also a well known mobile phone producer of very affordable 2G & 3G units, they also assist Australian phone carriers to establish networks, maybe they might provide info, could it be an antenna issue or data only provided one, seems crazy to me. I am really looking forward to your comments on this issue.
-- Edited by hannivers on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 09:55:44 AM
BobnBev said
09:58 AM Dec 28, 2010
Another good post, why would anyone use anything else than telstra 3G-next G when traverling in the bush, As i just said on another post here ,came over from Tassie on boxing day on the boat.. Had coverage ALL the way across ,I have a ZTE telstra so called farmers phone.. With the 9db on the van roof hardly ever out of range. We use it as a modem on the net as well. And for $10=1gig and 7.2 mbs thats all we need..dont want a fancy thingo with all the bells and bits. just one that works...No for all those that are going to ask ,we never drove the van across from tassie ..I know they are there just waiting.....
-- Edited by BobnBev on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 10:27:32 AM
Hi' again, today I decided to utilize my almost worn out Nokia 6220 Classic mobile phone as a 3G modem for my sony laptop, with a quick download of Nokia PC studio software all happened quite quickly, I am replying to your forum with laptop keyboard with USB connection to my mobile, speed is quite good, I still cannot understand why some mobiles do not connect in regions where USB wireless sticks work fine. When I look at mobile phone screen I can see that the 3G symbol is displayed, I am 2 rooms back from front of my house and connection is good, however if I move the phone about, say on an angle resting on floor I soon notice it changing back to 2G network. For those whom have no confidence in establishing a 3G connection please make sure that you check out mobile phone specs, if it's a 3G look for something like this:
Pardon me but I have been watching this thread for a bit & I think that Hannivers is pulling your chain!!!
hannivers said
10:21 PM Jan 1, 2011
Hi' Cupie
Please explain as to what you mean by pulling your chain!............
It's ok for everyone to stay as they are, buy whatever they like & do whatever they like. There will always be a few out there whom can benefit from a little bit of fresh technology.
Many thanks for the 47 replies and to the 562 whom viewed my topic, was only up a few days, so someone out there must have liked it.
Some Mobiles dumped in recycling bins may have been better than the flashy looking new ones. Some mobiles may not possess the best bands for you or your carrier. Sony Ericsson phones here have Bands for Aus & NZ, I have noticed some online models from offshore sources have less bands & poor warranties if any, so take care & get to know the facts about coverage.
I am 62 years old, this forum topic may continue without me. Bye Everyone
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 07:41:05 AM
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 08:03:57 AM
hannivers said
08:30 PM Jan 2, 2011
Well Cupie' I posted a reply message this morning & I have sent you a personal message, still no response.....
You openly said that "I think that Hannivers is pulling your chain!!!
Obviously you are a well repected leader amongst forum members, wheras I am but a new kid on the block......
I did some study today and what you were conveying was that I am telling lies to the forum members, that is so far from the truth, I am hurt by your comment.
I suggest that you do some personal research on this topic, talk to Mobile phone Gurus & Telcos. And then judge me accordingly. I tried to continue but it's now beyond me.
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 08:31:21 PM
Cupie said
08:40 AM Jan 3, 2011
H ..
After receiving your PM I went back & carefully re read the thread.
Maybe I rushed to judgement on your intentions. We do get visits from 'Trolls' on the forum from time to time & as the thread went on & on I thought ' here we go again'. On a second reading it seems to me that you have a strong attachment to this issue.
If I mis-judged you I apologise.
ps. Re researching the subject ... I have a strong technical background in Telecommunications & IMO the labels that are attached to products (maybe by marketers) are frequently misleading or confusing at the least. Maybe Telstra's 'blue tic' approach was an attempt to address the confusion in a non technical way. I know that when I purchased my Prepaid the salesperson was careful to match my usage intentions to a handset that was in my price range.
I have responded to your PM ... I don't always log in to the forum ergo was unaware of your message. As this thread had gone off page 1, I was unaware also of your latest posts.
hannivers said
09:38 AM Jan 30, 2011
Hi Cupie' all is ok, maybe you can help me with this:
I keep seeing problems with some unlocked mobiles:
Take a well featured Nokia E72, many are sold unlocked, to suit all carriers but they came in 2 variants:
E72-1 WCDMA/HSPA (3G) 900/1900/2100 Optus Optus uses 2100 WCDMA/HSPA for metro and 900 WCDMA/HSPA for regional.
E72-2 WCDMA/HSPA (3G) 850/1900/2100 Telstra North American Variant or NAM & will work on Optus Metro only 2100 WCDMA/HSPA
So E72-1 when unlocked could not provide Telstra NextG coverage if unlocked. & E72-2 would not provide good regional Optus coverage when unlocked
I am sure that other mobile phones share same problem if unlocked. look forward to your comments on this.
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 30th of January 2011 09:38:43 AM
_wombat_ said
11:35 AM Jan 30, 2011
Has any body considered installing a HF radio for use in emergency situations? all over Aus coverage inc Tassie.
i was told sometime ago that sat phones were $1.20 per min, (not sure if that is correct} just think what it would cost if you phoned an emergency service and they asked you to hold on, then get your details and emergency info etc and then left you there hanging on for 20 mins = $24.00 Calls to emergency from mobiles and sat phones apparently are not free.
Ron and Shirley said
12:30 PM Jan 30, 2011
Wombat
We went with a Codan NGT HF radio and the VKS 737 network back in 2000. It was quite a large initial investment that has been a good insurance policy as we have not had to use it in anger as yet.
We went HF Radio as in the case of an emergency, be it breakdown or medical, with one "call " you have the proven assistance of "professionals" who are very experienced in working with the various authorities that maybe required to come to your aid. Also due to the broadcast nature of the HF there maybe someone nearby that can come to your assistance. We chose the more expensive at the time Codan NGT as it was "programmable" so could be updated, which we do every three years.
We later also joined the HF Radio club, a more social organisation than VKS737. The HF Radio Club offers telephone connection at a much cheaper rate than VKS737. Also via the telephone interconnect you can send short SMS. We also have a GPS connected so that we can send our current position just with the push of a button. The Club also puts your position onto Google maps so your family and friends, if you have given them the access codes, can see where you are. The HF Radio Club has regular meets all over Australia, the recent Elmore Vic one we had the pleasure of meeting GN member Jonathan.
-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Sunday 30th of January 2011 12:33:02 PM
_wombat_ said
02:28 PM Jan 30, 2011
Hi Ron & Shirley,
I have the same Codan NGT and belong to the VKS, have not heard of the other club, will look into it. thanks for the info.
For the rest of out members if you see an ariel on a vechicle like the one on the rear on mine then it is part of the operators licence to help others in distress, this is not compulsory it is up to the operator if he/she has the time to help, but in an emergency I think most would like to help and make contact with the VKS for assistance.
I recently went to eastern USA & Canada and was pleased to find that my Telstra prepaid 3G had "global roaming" available without any action by me.
In the area that I travelled, for Canada the telco was Rodgers (their major carrier I believe) and for USA it was AT&T. Coverage seemed to be similar to Telstra here.
Of course the only really affordable calls were SMS.
We used a phone card purchased at a kiosk in Boston Mass for voice calls. The $5 card was used from hotel coin phones & lasted for 4 weeks with some time left. Call rate was only 1 cent per minute to Aussie landlines, or 10c/min if accessing their auto call centre via a toll free number. I assume it used VOIP. Quality was usually OK.
(For internet some hotels had free internet PCs - long queues - and almost all had free hotspots, either in room or in the lobby. Next time I will take a small net book or similar)
Sorry if I'm a bit off topic.
sorry .. I sent the message twice ... G
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 27th of December 2010 08:34:23 AM
ozi2
Is that right Hanniver?
Just isn't safe to risk you life on the possibility of a mobile phone working just anywhere, Tassie is a real problem, in your case you need to consider all other possible options, your health & survival is far too important. Would be cruel for anybody to recommend a mobile, you need better than that.
Many thanks
That's ok, but if 3G is allowing the USB wireless stick to work for data, why isn't there a 3G mobile connection or even 2G connection there to allow a mobile to work in that same location???
To me this is serious stuff, because something is not working properly, maybe phone carriers can explain, they promised the coverage. I know nobody should allow their lives to depend on mobiles but one day it could happen that way, not everyone has a laptop with them.
A chinese company called Hauwei actually produces most of those USB modem sticks, they are also a well known mobile phone producer of very affordable 2G & 3G units, they also assist Australian phone carriers to establish networks, maybe they might provide info, could it be an antenna issue or data only provided one, seems crazy to me. I am really looking forward to your comments on this issue.
-- Edited by hannivers on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 09:55:44 AM
-- Edited by BobnBev on Tuesday 28th of December 2010 10:27:32 AM
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100
This should connect to 2G or 3G
Nokia 6220 Classic
2G Network GSM 850/900/1800/1900
3G Network HSDPA 900/ 2100
This 3G HSDPA is 3.6 Mbps
wheras some are 3G, 384 kbps
There is plenty of variation in achievable speeds
Best regards to all.
Please explain as to what you mean by pulling your chain!............
It's ok for everyone to stay as they are, buy whatever they like & do whatever they like. There will always be a few out there whom can benefit from a little bit of fresh technology.
Many thanks for the 47 replies and to the 562 whom viewed my topic, was only up a few days, so someone out there must have liked it.
Some Mobiles dumped in recycling bins may have been better than the flashy looking new ones. Some mobiles may not possess the best bands for you or your carrier. Sony Ericsson phones here have Bands for Aus & NZ, I have noticed some online models from offshore sources have less bands & poor warranties if any, so take care & get to know the facts about coverage.
I am 62 years old, this forum topic may continue without me. Bye Everyone
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 07:41:05 AM
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 08:03:57 AM
You openly said that "I think that Hannivers is pulling your chain!!!
Obviously you are a well repected leader amongst forum members, wheras I am but a new kid on the block......
I did some study today and what you were conveying was that I am telling lies to the forum members, that is so far from the truth, I am hurt by your comment.
I suggest that you do some personal research on this topic, talk to Mobile phone Gurus & Telcos. And then judge me accordingly. I tried to continue but it's now beyond me.
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 08:31:21 PM
After receiving your PM I went back & carefully re read the thread.
Maybe I rushed to judgement on your intentions. We do get visits from 'Trolls' on the forum from time to time & as the thread went on & on I thought ' here we go again'. On a second reading it seems to me that you have a strong attachment to this issue.
If I mis-judged you I apologise.
ps. Re researching the subject ... I have a strong technical background in Telecommunications & IMO the labels that are attached to products (maybe by marketers) are frequently misleading or confusing at the least.
Maybe Telstra's 'blue tic' approach was an attempt to address the confusion in a non technical way. I know that when I purchased my Prepaid the salesperson was careful to match my usage intentions to a handset that was in my price range.
I have responded to your PM ... I don't always log in to the forum ergo was unaware of your message. As this thread had gone off page 1, I was unaware also of your latest posts.
Hi Cupie' all is ok, maybe you can help me with this:
I keep seeing problems with some unlocked mobiles:
Take a well featured Nokia E72, many are sold unlocked, to suit all carriers but they came in 2 variants:
E72-1 WCDMA/HSPA (3G) 900/1900/2100 Optus
Optus uses 2100 WCDMA/HSPA for metro and 900 WCDMA/HSPA for regional.
E72-2 WCDMA/HSPA (3G) 850/1900/2100 Telstra
North American Variant or NAM & will work on Optus Metro only
2100 WCDMA/HSPA
So E72-1 when unlocked could not provide Telstra NextG coverage if unlocked.
& E72-2 would not provide good regional Optus coverage when unlocked
I am sure that other mobile phones share same problem if unlocked. look forward to your comments on this.
-- Edited by hannivers on Sunday 30th of January 2011 09:38:43 AM
i was told sometime ago that sat phones were $1.20 per min, (not sure if that is correct} just think what it would cost if you phoned an emergency service and they asked you to hold on, then get your details and emergency info etc and then left you there hanging on for 20 mins = $24.00
Calls to emergency from mobiles and sat phones apparently are not free.
We went with a Codan NGT HF radio and the VKS 737 network back in 2000. It was quite a large initial investment that has been a good insurance policy as we have not had to use it in anger as yet.
We went HF Radio as in the case of an emergency, be it breakdown or medical, with one "call " you have the proven assistance of "professionals" who are very experienced in working with the various authorities that maybe required to come to your aid. Also due to the broadcast nature of the HF there maybe someone nearby that can come to your assistance. We chose the more expensive at the time Codan NGT as it was "programmable" so could be updated, which we do every three years.
We later also joined the HF Radio club, a more social organisation than VKS737. The HF Radio Club offers telephone connection at a much cheaper rate than VKS737. Also via the telephone interconnect you can send short SMS. We also have a GPS connected so that we can send our current position just with the push of a button. The Club also puts your position onto Google maps so your family and friends, if you have given them the access codes, can see where you are. The HF Radio Club has regular meets all over Australia, the recent Elmore Vic one we had the pleasure of meeting GN member Jonathan.
The HF Radio Club telephone service http://www.hfradioclub.com.au/tic.htm for their phone costings.
-- Edited by Ron and Shirley on Sunday 30th of January 2011 12:33:02 PM
I have the same Codan NGT and belong to the VKS, have not heard of the other club, will look into it. thanks for the info.
For the rest of out members if you see an ariel on a vechicle like the one on the rear on mine then it is part of the operators licence to help others in distress, this is not compulsory it is up to the operator if he/she has the time to help, but in an emergency I think most would like to help and make contact with the VKS for assistance.