Cheap phone plans - why don't more go for these?

**LeroyPatrol** · 17-02-12, 09:56 AM

A mate recommended this company to me

They go through the Optus network but what I can't work out is why people don't go for this instead of these $55 plans etc through the 'Big 3'?

I just needed a plan to park a number for the moment and went on a $10 casual plan with Telstra but just signed up for the $10.99 plan with $500 of calls and another $500 to call people who are with live connected, and it even comes with data!

Leroy

**admin** · 17-02-12, 10:16 AM

There are some good deals out there, it all depends on what suits the individual.

Woolworths Mobile is similar, you are paying nearly a dollar a minute so you need to do some calculations as to what best suits you. If you use your data allowance, it can be quite expensive after that.

But all up it seems like a good deal.

**nerd1** · 17-02-12, 10:49 AM

If you are looking at parking a number long term, or even minmal use, TPG moble has a plan which is $1 per month plus phone calls. There is a $20 starter pack which you will need to purchase initially and a credit deposit or something.

This seems to be the cheapest option for parking or *really* casual use.

**hughdman** · 17-02-12, 11:38 AM

I'm using woolworths sim just as a wifi hotspot, 5 gigs for 45 days , and I bought the recharges when they had 50% off so I'm paying $14.50 for 45 days, I also get $500 worth of calls and every now and again will call someone from that phone, but with todays caps I'm finding it hard to use all my allowance.

I still use Telstra in my main mobile as I live in the hills and always want coverage.

**lsemmens** · 17-02-12, 12:53 PM

Therein lies the Rub, Hughdman, Coverage! I'd love a cheap plan, however, even Telstra signal can be patchy in the rural areas. I live in Riverton, and, whilst it is ok 90% of the time, if I travel just a couple of miles down the road...... Sons are with Optus, IIRC, and their coverage out here is not overly great. I pity anyone who lives in the hills!

**hughdman** · 17-02-12, 01:11 PM

I'll also tell you the main problem with telstra coverage...

If you haven't got a phone which is Next G compatable, you aren't getting the best.

The majority of all mobiles aren't Next G compatable, and then people say why don't I get the best reception, I've put to of the same phones next to each other, one was the standard model the other the next g model and it was one bar vs five.

I get four to five bars, with a next g phone, and when i used a vodafone modem, I couldn't even get a signal.

**bunyipbilly** · 17-02-12, 09:35 PM

The cheapest plan is without doubt the Just Mobile pre-paid. You get a number for $5 and your recharges last for six months. Calls are billed at 1/2c a second, with no flagfall. I've been with them for years without any drama, and they even give you extras when you recharge online. If you want a simple way to save money on calls, then this is the one.
Warning! Don't use the pre-paid caps, only the prepaid plan.

**thefonejunkie** · 18-02-12, 10:08 AM

If your a heavy user like myself have a look at these two deals:

Boost $40 per month Unlimited (Optus network)

Calls, sms & mms + 3 GB of data every month + it includes 13, 1300 & 1800 numbers.

Redbull $365 per year Unlimited (Vodafone network)

Calls, sms & mms + 5 GB of data every month + it includes 13, 1300 & 1800 numbers.

I'm using Boost myself as i travel in a few areas that Voda doesn't cover!

**best4less** · 18-02-12, 10:25 AM

just so many to choose from I might wait for the free one :P

**thefonejunkie** · 18-02-12, 10:50 AM

It'll happen, they'll just want to play add's on your phone for the free service!

**hughdman** · 18-02-12, 10:55 AM

One reason might be, because a plan may work out cheaper,

Rewind 2 years.

I went to Telstra and the HTC Desire had just come out and people were queing up to buy it outright $900 it was.
I asked the guy what plan will give me the phone for free, he said sign up for 24 months $49 a month and it's all yours. I also got my 1 gig of data and $450 worth of calls a month. Ok so I hear you say yeah but you are spending $300 more.
Well over the 24 months I am but I'm also hooked up, ie no recharging and looking for a shop to top up, best coverage available and show me a telstra prepaid deal for $15 a month with all the bonuses.
Oh and one other thing, my wallet wasn't $900 lighter after receiving my phone.

**bob_m_54** · 19-02-12, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by hughdman

One reason might be, because a plan may work out cheaper,

Rewind 2 years.

I went to Telstra and the HTC Desire had just come out and people were queing up to buy it outright $900 it was.
I asked the guy what plan will give me the phone for free, he said sign up for 24 months $49 a month and it's all yours. I also got my 1 gig of data and $450 worth of calls a month. Ok so I hear you say yeah but you are spending $300 more.
Well over the 24 months I am but I'm also hooked up, ie no recharging and looking for a shop to top up, best coverage available and show me a telstra prepaid deal for $15 a month with all the bonuses.
Oh and one other thing, my wallet wasn't $900 lighter after receiving my phone.

I got that phone on the Telstra $49 cap plan, but it only included about 200M of data and $400 worth of calls. I found out about 6 months later that they upped the data limit to 500M a week after I got mine. I was a bit pissed off about it, and when this bloke rang a few days later to survey how happy I was with my current land-line account (yeah I thought he was a telemarketer from the opposition too) I gave him a blast about it. He said just go to a Telstra shop and ask them to upgrade the data limit for you. I did have to go get a USB broadband prepaid stick for an upcoming trip around Central Aus, so I gave it go. I told the young bloke who served me what I wanted and he said sure, no problem. He went off to get the USB stick and when he returned he said sorry, we're out of them. I sheepishly asked well what about the data limit? He said yep, I'll do that now for you. Clickety clack.. clickety clack on his computer, and he turns around and says.. there ya go... I asked what the new limit was, he said 1GB. I asked and definitely no extra charge? and he said nope... Sweet, first time I ever felt like a mob like that had given me customer satisfaction.

**admin** · 19-02-12, 08:30 AM

Its amazing what you can get if you simply ask. In general over the times I have been with Telstra, I have found them pretty good at giving you extras for no cost.

**admin** · 07-03-12, 07:49 AM

I moved my wifes mobile to Live Connected on the Tribe 11 plan.. I put in the order via their website on Friday, got the sim in the mail Monday via Express Post and activated it the same day.

So service cannot be complained about...thats lightening quick. I'll see how it goes over the next month and might then move mine over as well. I am also finding Optus reception better than Vodafone...they must have done an upgrade near me as last time I was with them it only worked in one end of the house.

So thanks for the heads up Leroy.