Aldi broadband-Beware

Cruising Cruze · Guru

Aldi broadband-Beware

Bucko · Senior Member

Hi All,

I've have tried Aldi sim card over the last 3months on my Telstra usb modem, it had worked reasonable well for the first 2 months without any problems, over the last recharge I noticed that I seemed to be going through my data (2mb per month) rather quickly, when it ran out a few days ago I recharged with what they call a "bolt on" of 2MB @ $15.00 p/month, this time I paid particular attention to how much data I was using on each session, just after recharging I went back on and checked my emails and logged onto a couple of forum sites, I was on line approx 20 mins, use was 348 mb's for 20 minutes, no downloads or pics, all auto updates off, Aldi does'nt have the speed in their network to download that much in that time.

I called Aldi customer service number and got a call centre with the usual accent that I had trouble understanding, when I explained that I was having trouble with the broadband, she told me that Aldi doesn't support using their sim in USB modems, only mobile phone use, she even told me it's not supported for wifi use either, don't ask me how they come up with that one but beware of the "Telstra aternative"

I guess I have to go back to Telstra again, no point in having a service that won't support use in a USB modem and no I don't want to use the phone as a hot spot, I barely am able to use the computer, I'm fed up with the lack of customer support, it take ages to get to speak to someone and then when you do, you can't understand them, is it on purpose I wonder?????

Kevin.

dorian · Guru

Before you start blaming someone else, at least do some proper byte counting at your end. Depending on your OS, you should be able to find an application that actually monitors the amount of data sent and received by your computer. How do you expect someone in a call centre, either in Australia or India, to do something like that from their end? What is to say that you don't have some malware on your machine?

dorian · Guru

The following site tested the Aldi network and found that its download speed was around 6 megabits per second:

www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/455586/how_fast_aldi_mobile_network_/

Your speed averages to around 2.3 Mbps:

www.google.com.au/search

Bucko · Senior Member

I don't use the phone as a wifi, only the computer with a USB modem , as stated in my original post and I have a counter to keep track of the data, and I do turn it off and remove the modem after use, I didn't start to do this yesterday, I had the same problem with Telstra but was able to fix it with them because they can tell how nthe data is used, they agreed that they had a problem with the incorrect data rate attributing to my data use, at least with Telstra they were able to see what was going on and accept that they were at fault, if you can't keep track of what your network is doing or how it's operating how the hell can you charge anyone for it's use???????

Kevin.

allinone · Senior Member

Aldi like many other Telcos now charge data usage by the MB. So each tweet, email or so could lpotentially use a MB, depending how otter your modem connects or disconnects.
Aldi has a call centre located in the Phillipines, just like Telstra, so same potential issue here.
My father uses ALDI and he is extremely happy with the service. I use Telstra and am on the phone all the time trying to get issues solved, takes 3 or more calls usually. I do not complain, it's just the technology and contention issues that cause the problems.

herbie · Guru

I use Telstra as I think it is better the devil you know than the devil you don't know kind of thing.

Maybe this Aldi set up may sound a cheaper option but if this is the norm with using it, sounds like what you get is not going to work out such a good deal.

jetj · Guru

And things might be a lot worse. The company that Aldi and Kogan buy their services through are a Telstra wholesaler and there is a dispute between Telstra and Ispone and talk about the possibility of discontinuing those services.