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Post Info TOPIC: Save big on phone costs
SouthernComfort


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Save big on phone costs
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In case it's of interest to anyone, I'm prompted to post this since it was touched on in another thread today (there may have been other threads on this topic, so apologies if it duplicates):

As we all know, many people are dumping the landline to go fully mobile, we did it about 2 years ago. Apart from eliminating 99% of pest callers the cost savings are significant.

We also dumped our ADSL2 data plan and now the computer tethers to the phone using mobile data for internet. Overall, we save well over $800 p.a. compared to the old set up.

We purposely have one mobile on Optus and the other on Telstra to get max. coverage wherever we are, both are through 3rd party providers. We have combined data of 9GB per month, more than enough for us. Calls & sms are unlimited, as are international calls/sms to 10 countries on one of the plans (important to us). Both plans are month to month, no contracts.

Plenty of plans out there, providers are getting more and more competitive so worth shopping around. Your plan is also worth reviewing once a year, as providers become even keener you're no more than one month away from being able to change provider fee free. We've changed ours once already, now getting even more for less! 

Obviously ignore all if you don't have reasonable mobile reception in your area! Also won't work for you if a landline is needed for any medical or security equipment monitoring.

 



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Tony

"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato  

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macka17


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And for those that still use a base.
And travel intermittently.

I don't use Data much. so it don't bother me. But my plans give 1.5gig. often doubled.
Usage would cost extra ok.

2 time Mobiles. Both Telstra. Both Prepaid.
We use Samsung J1 models. Good screen very good camera's.
Good mid range,
For those not wanting top bull****.

I have $30 pm plan. $700 calls.at Normal pricing. 1.5 gig Data.
$200 OS calls.
Often get bonuses on that.

Di has $30 per TWO months. PAY for ALL calls.

15c per minuten. ALL over the world basically.

PLUS. I transfer my $30pm Payments over to her to cover her call charges.

Normal usage. it soon mounts up.
Often on Ph to son and mate in US. Mate and other son in Melb.
20 to 40 min calls.
Still has around $230\240 on plate to use.
Data. You Pay for.

But as just Phones.
The cheapest system I've figured out yet.
and Telstra still the best for overall coverage.

My Optus ph bounced off a railway track under train back in Vict yrs ago.

For general ALL round. Ph and Net.
Telstra can't be touched yet.

OH. On NBN 2 yr contract too. Quite happy.

25\5 speed. averaging 24.85\4.85-95

Speedtest automatically, every time it turns on to check.

From what I've seen on forums. this is very good.

Constantly.

 

NBN costs around $65 to $75 pm. Varies??. Supposed to be $85



-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 20th of July 2017 01:21:29 PM

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RustyD


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Just spent the last week reviewing my phones. One user login but two accounts with Telstra and I've decided that Telstra is OK. The devil you know is better that the devil you don't know.

Account #1.
A landline in my name in a nursing home for my mum . It's only ever used by me to call in and is supposed to be converted to NBN today. Currently pay $35 / month. Will be changing that to Telstra Voice Light (Homeline Light?) next week. That costs $16.95 / month and I can get outgoing calls stopped. That's quite common in nursing homes. Call in, not out. You can get it free under certain circumstances (InContact it's called).

Account #2.
At home I have NBN (since October 2014) for internet and landline. With NBN you get a landline regardless. My current NBN gives me 500GB internet & cheap calls. I've literally pulled the plug on my landline as all I got was dodgy calls. The NBN modem lets me monitor what calls I get. I have 101 message bank (This phone is no longer attended, please leave a message or call our mobiles) that I can retrieve from my mobile in case I get a real call with a message. Had 1 legit message in 3 months that I've since sorted. For the same monthly fee, I can get 1000GB and pay-as-you go calls. However I can also get 500GB and pay-as-you-go landline cheaper when my current contract runs out. Since I don't have a landline phone, this will not be an issue.
Also have 2 mobiles that used combined have 16GB. With both phones on Telstra, we can use the whole 16GB on the one phone so don't have to worry when someone goes over 8GB.

Telstra gave me a free Telstra TV box (Roku) last November that is fantastic for all the free stuff you get. Have not exceeded my 500GB and yet it's used almost daily.

Just wish Telstra's 132200 line would get rid of that stupid voice recognition software. I never seem to be able to be understood and end up talking to a real person who I cannot understand either.



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SouthernComfort


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Should add quick addendum: We use Optus on one of the mobiles since we don't need to pay for the dearer Telstra plan on both. We also had good Optus reception in a regional area recently, whereas Telstra was just on the edge - you'd expect the reverse, so go figure! Up until the last change we'd always used only Optus and never had any network issues, so we remain confident with keeping them on one.

It's only when you do the maths comparing ALL your current communications costs against a couple of comprehensive mobile plans inclusive of data that you realise just how many $$ you waste. Second thing is to audit how much data you really need - 500 & 1000GB plans are offered because the providers know you'll never use it all in a million years, therefore meaningless quantities.



-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Thursday 20th of July 2017 01:39:54 PM

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Cheers,

Tony

"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato  

 The moral: Focus on the Facts

 
RustyD


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I'm never going to get near 1000GB. Got close to 500GB on a few occasions downloading TV shows & documentaries. I'm looking at going to keep the 500GB and go for the pay-as-you go landline when my current contract ends. The next lowest is too small and other plans just chop speed which doesn't impress the Minister of War.

The other thing my NBN is 25Mbps/5Mbps speed. Some basic NBN speeds are too slow to be useful. www.telstra.com.au/broadband/nbn/nbn-speeds-explained


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Cruising Cruze


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We are very close to the 500 GB at home a month with up & download
wait until everything you download is in 4K or 8K
than you will need the 1000GB
So it is not so strange that they offer us 1000GB
Just look at the quality of this clip on YouTube what was taken in 8K

www.youtube.com/watch

Cheers John

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RustyD


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Amongst other downloads I get NASCAR ever week. The high quality version is 16GB. Four weeks of that chews up a bit hence I generally get a lower quality version.

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RustyD


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John.

Just watched that clip full screen on my 27" 2560 x 1440 screen. WOW!!!!!!!

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SouthernComfort


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Horses for courses guys!

We're low data consumers, mainly email & browsing with minor downloads. Most people will be able to figure what's likely to work for them.

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Tony

"Opinion is the medium between ignorance and knowledge" - Plato  

 The moral: Focus on the Facts

 
Cruising Cruze


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Hi RustyD

That's what i meant to say Rusty
Just mind blowing
Imagine if you were able to see this on an 8K TV ( I know still dreaming )


Cheers John


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macka17


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These latest Samsung Smart screens are Pretty good.
Not cheap though.

Son in Melb has a 70in latest model LG.
for his Ping Pong. Richmond.

Came up here. watched our footy (Proper) on my 55in.
WOW. That's different.

Try one in show rooms. set up for sport\movies.

They have improved a lot recently.

I still reckon watching a latest version. Animated movie.
Is one of the best tests for screen Quality and clarity.
with recovery rates..
Almost 3 bloody D.

 

AVATAR is still one of the best for that.



-- Edited by macka17 on Saturday 22nd of July 2017 11:06:37 AM

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