I hesitate to provide a definition for "best". However, if you are a traveller - either full-time or predominantly, particularly away from the east coast and major areas of population - then the only service is Telstra 3G/4G.
What plan etc you want is dependent on how you wish to use it ... but anything else will not give the coverage away from major areas of population.
If only the cost was more competitive for their service.
cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Telstra 3G/4G for me too, tried and tested and observed those with other providers being unable to get connection in certain places with both phone and internet, while I had connection. Had to lend my phone on a couple of occasions to others so they could contact home.
Don't know about Boost though as I have never tried it.
I don't really have anything extra to add to whats already been said, but if it's service you want then it's Telstra you need. If it's low cost that drives you then it's Telstra you don't need.
We have been using Aldi for the last 12 months (they use telstra 3g) and have found them great. $35/month with 1g down load calls any where any time in Aus, 2200 sms and $125 credit for 30 days which I have never fully used. Got tied of telstras fixed plan with EXTRA charges when you ring a non telstra mobile or 1300 no's etc. We saved just under $500/yr. We are trialing a new home phone system which allows you to bluetooth up to 4 mobile phones to your land line handset. This means that you can recieve calls from any mobile phone or land line on the one phone. You can ring out via your mobile without having the mobile phone next to your head. The next step is to change my home package to line rental and internet ,this will cost about $60/month which will save us about $720/yr, a total saving of about $1200 or 120bottels of wine.
Enjoying the wine, don't have to run all over the house to find the mobile and have not noticed any change in phone service.
For travelling, as others have said - Telstra 4G/3G is the way to go - we have travelled all over Australia, well about one third of the way down the West Coast now, and have met that many people with other providers, who were told yes, you will get service wherever there is Telstra coverage - no you won't - so they are left with no phone at all. I have told some of them to go and buy a cheap phone at the Post Office (have some great phones cheap) - a $2 Telstra starter pack, PRE PAID, activate, put some money into the account. You will have phone in possibly 80 - 90% of the areas, where most people travel.
Over here in the West, there are several "Welcome Rest Stops" -some of them have free wi fi connection, most providers will be able to connect to that for internet - you get one hour free internet, don't think you can download things, but to check emails, etc, and of course Grey Nomads, and send emails - vey handy, saves your own data as well. Funded by the royalties from the mining industry, apparently, clean loos (long drop windy loos usually), and dump points, shelter shed with table and seats - very welcome spots indeed.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
In 2011 we purchased Telstra Mobile broadband prepaid. This gave us 15Gb over 12 mths for $150. In 2013 we recharged our 'stick' and was met with $180. That's 20% increase $ for no additional benefit. In 2014 (two weeks ago) we recharged again, this time the bill was/is $200. This is a 10% increase or a 30% increase in 3 years. The Gbs are the same. Optus offers the same deal for $125. Go figure.
Wouldn't mind so much if the increase with Telstra was reflected in their share price and dividend. Not so.
In my simple way of thinking this is nothing more than highway robbery.
When did the pension and or associated benefits increase accordingly?????
Larry
I have mobile Telstra - got the dongle for $49, and I recharge every month, with whatever the best deal is at the time. Sometimes I get to roll over any leftover credit, sometimes not - if I am running short on data, I can go online at any time and put more into the dongle. Have recently got an Ipad, and purchased a portable hot spot - will do the same for that - I got 1g when I purchased.
As for Telstra service, I personally have never had a problem with them, either with landline or mobile - prompt, efficient and pleasant service every time. One time with the landline, my internet had something wrong with it, and it took them three weeks to fix it (I had a dongle as well, so could still use internet) - anyway, they refunded me three weeks of payment, straight off the account, I didn't even have to ask, they rang me and said that's what they were doing. Not bad, so I can't complain at all.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I hesitate to provide a definition for "best". However, if you are a traveller - either full-time or predominantly, particularly away from the east coast and major areas of population - then the only service is Telstra 3G/4G.
What plan etc you want is dependent on how you wish to use it ... but anything else will not give the coverage away from major areas of population.
If only the cost was more competitive for their service.
cheers - John
Gday...
To add to my earlier comment ... I have had Telstra 3G Broadband Internet since 2009 - one of these -
I am on a Telstra "Plan" - $59.95/month for 8Gb/month. I use between 6Gb and 7Gb per month.
I also bought a pre-paid Telstra 3G mobile in 2010 - $70/year which also gives me 100mins of free calls to other Telstra numbers (mobile & landline). I renew the pre-paid with $70 each year, and any unused credit is carried over.
I have been astounded at some of the remote places I have had internet and mobile coverage - sometimes in very lonely and remote places I have only had a fleeting 'one bar of signal' and still got internet.
Other providers offer 'plans/options' that are cheaper - but they do not necessarily give consistent and reliable coverage in 'remote' areas.
I have not had to contact Telstra regarding either device since I purchased them.
I think the decision on which provider to use for your internet/mobile coverage is dependent on how and where you wish to use it.
If you are in a home in a town and only travel to places along the east coast, southern half of SA, SW of WA and Darwin area (and not far from major highways and towns) then other providers will probably provide a service you will find acceptable and at a cheaper cost than Telstra. However, the certainty of their coverage away from these places just may vary and at times be suspect.
It is like trying to advise someone on which is the "best tug" to tow a van - it is totally dependent on what your personal needs are.
Cheers - and happy, safe and communicative travel - John
__________________
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
We use Boost for mobile phone and have been for the last 6 months, no problems, it's only 3G and 2GB of download but who cares as long as the service is good and the price is right. $40.00 for 30 days prepaid unlimited phone and txt within Australia, not to premium numbers ( if you want to vote on MKR or Masterchef) if you want premium numbers you can purchase a extra pack. We use Telstra mobile broadband for internet, tried the rest and came back to Telstra.
-- Edited by Dav4Cris on Saturday 16th of August 2014 06:38:31 AM
Finding some areas where telstra was good now optus putting better towers, In having said that we now use dodo (optus carrier) as main line and aldi(telstra carrier) prepaid with the price of phones today we find this a far better option (my opinion only)
I hesitate to provide a definition for "best". However, if you are a traveller - either full-time or predominantly, particularly away from the east coast and major areas of population - then the only service is Telstra 3G/4G.
What plan etc you want is dependent on how you wish to use it ... but anything else will not give the coverage away from major areas of population.
If only the cost was more competitive for their service.
cheers - John
Gday...
To add to my earlier comment ... I have had Telstra 3G Broadband Internet since 2009 - one of these -
I am on a Telstra "Plan" - $59.95/month for 8Gb/month. I use between 6Gb and 7Gb per month.
I also bought a pre-paid Telstra 3G mobile in 2010 - $70/year which also gives me 100mins of free calls to other Telstra numbers (mobile & landline). I renew the pre-paid with $70 each year, and any unused credit is carried over.
I have been astounded at some of the remote places I have had internet and mobile coverage - sometimes in very lonely and remote places I have only had a fleeting 'one bar of signal' and still got internet.
Other providers offer 'plans/options' that are cheaper - but they do not necessarily give consistent and reliable coverage in 'remote' areas.
I have not had to contact Telstra regarding either device since I purchased them.
I think the decision on which provider to use for your internet/mobile coverage is dependent on how and where you wish to use it.
If you are in a home in a town and only travel to places along the east coast, southern half of SA, SW of WA and Darwin area (and not far from major highways and towns) then other providers will probably provide a service you will find acceptable and at a cheaper cost than Telstra. However, the certainty of their coverage away from these places just may vary and at times be suspect.
It is like trying to advise someone on which is the "best tug" to tow a van - it is totally dependent on what your personal needs are.
Cheers - and happy, safe and communicative travel - John
you MIGHT be wasting money using that dongle... you could simply upgrade your existing phone account and then use your phone as a "hotspot" for internet...
your wireless on your laptop, tablet etc can hook straight to your phone and use the internet off it..
Thanks Blue, I have thought from time to time to "upgrade/update" my 'communication system'.
At the moment it costs me -
$59.95/month for internet (8Gb)
Pre-paid 3G mobile - $70/year (including 100 mins of free calls to other Telstra land or mobile numbers). I keep it for people to ring me. I pay it each January and so far I still have $67 credit left, which will roll over to next year when I renew in Jan 2015.
I use Skype for all outgoing calls - I have it set to 'auto recharge' which happens about three times a year so far ... that works out to $16 X 3 = $48.
So my overall cost for the year is $780/year or $65 per month. And accept for the $59.95 each month I am able to 'control' what I spend on the rest.
I like the flexibility .. and low cost. Not modern, I know, but hey, I'm just a slow old fart these days.
Perhaps the "young kids" that try to "sell" me the new fangled technology are the problem - they talk right over my head and never seem to understand my NEEDS as against their WANTS (to sell).
Cheers - John
__________________
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
I think everyone recognises that Telstra offer the best coverage, but it costs a lot more.
Regardless of which network you subscribe to, a little care in selecting the hardware can significantly enhance your experience. If you use a device that can have an antenna plugged in to it, then add an antenna when you have to you will find that you will often get coverage where others do not.
I personally use a Huwai E5372 T, that has been unlocked (available on eBay for about $100 with 5G of data), and have a 9db (measure of strength, the higher the number the better) non directional antenna mounted on a pole that i can connect if required.
There are MANY antenna options, thus it is worth talking to someone who knows, explain what you want to do, and ask them how to optomise your speed and coverage.
Thanks Blue, I have thought from time to time to "upgrade/update" my 'communication system'.
At the moment it costs me -
$59.95/month for internet (8Gb)
Pre-paid 3G mobile - $70/year (including 100 mins of free calls to other Telstra land or mobile numbers). I keep it for people to ring me. I pay it each January and so far I still have $67 credit left, which will roll over to next year when I renew in Jan 2015.
I use Skype for all outgoing calls - I have it set to 'auto recharge' which happens about three times a year so far ... that works out to $16 X 3 = $48.
So my overall cost for the year is $780/year or $65 per month. And accept for the $59.95 each month I am able to 'control' what I spend on the rest.
I like the flexibility .. and low cost. Not modern, I know, but hey, I'm just a slow old fart these days.
Perhaps the "young kids" that try to "sell" me the new fangled technology are the problem - they talk right over my head and never seem to understand my NEEDS as against their WANTS (to sell).
Cheers - John
get someone to show you how the hotspot works on your phone
take your phone and a laptop into Telstra and get them to show you..
I have a work phone so while im away camping I just hotspot that phone to my laptop or tablet... it has one gig of internet on it
so I would seriously go see them to get on one plan that'll cover both your internet needs and calls..
I think everyone recognises that Telstra offer the best coverage, but it costs a lot more.
Regardless of which network you subscribe to, a little care in selecting the hardware can significantly enhance your experience. If you use a device that can have an antenna plugged in to it, then add an antenna when you have to you will find that you will often get coverage where others do not.
I personally use a Huwai E5372 T, that has been unlocked (available on eBay for about $100 with 5G of data), and have a 9db (measure of strength, the higher the number the better) non directional antenna mounted on a pole that i can connect if required.
There are MANY antenna options, thus it is worth talking to someone who knows, explain what you want to do, and ask them how to optomise your speed and coverage.
cost wise.. not much more at all...
service wise.. you are way out in front... by a mile..
speed wise... out in front by a mile than the cheaper ones that are still running 2G..
for me, you can't go past Telstra... imagine being out of range free camping and you hurt yourself... Telstra you'd have coverage, anything else.. nothing..
look at Telstra as good insurance... that's the best advice I can give anyone on the road... look after yourselves peeps...
get someone to show you how the hotspot works on your phone
Gday...
Thanks Blue ... but my phone is a Nokia 6120 .... and I don't think it has a hotspot ... 'cept when I leave it out in the sun for too long
and, it works fine for me - text (rarely) receive calls, reminders, stores contacts. That's all I need. I really do not want to get into one these new fangled wipe/stroke things with all the bells and whistles. I am a very simple (emphasis on simple) old fart who doesn't see the need for all this technology.
In fact, I enjoy it when I am going out of range and tell those close to me I will probably be uncontactable for however many weeks that will be.
If some emergency happens in their lives they are big enough and smart enough to look after themselves - and I would be kilometres away anyway. And if I have an emergency - the worst that could happen is I die and that is inevitable anyway - we all gonna die sometime.
cheers - John
__________________
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
get someone to show you how the hotspot works on your phone
Gday...
Thanks Blue ... but my phone is a Nokia 6120 .... and I don't think it has a hotspot ... 'cept when I leave it out in the sun for too long
and, it works fine for me - text (rarely) receive calls, reminders, stores contacts. That's all I need. I really do not want to get into one these new fangled wipe/stroke things with all the bells and whistles. I am a very simple (emphasis on simple) old fart who doesn't see the need for all this technology.
In fact, I enjoy it when I am going out of range and tell those close to me I will probably be uncontactable for however many weeks that will be.
If some emergency happens in their lives they are big enough and smart enough to look after themselves - and I would be kilometres away anyway. And if I have an emergency - the worst that could happen is I die and that is inevitable anyway - we all gonna die sometime.
cheers - John
i was like you once...
and not so long ago... I had a little nokia flip phone... but then it started to get beat up...
so I thought, hmmm, i'll give one of these smart phones a go... a cheap one..
I bought a Nokia 520... $150 ...
and wow... it has changed my view about smart phones... since then I've upgraded to a Samsung Note 3..
