Pre-Paid Wireless

**viewer** · 30-07-09, 10:54 PM

Guys,

Doing a 2 week holiday soon, and would like some laptop net access whilst away in Tasmania.

The cheapest I have seen is Crazy John's with a start up dongle at $79..they use the Vodaphone network. When I looked up the coverage map, it was not good, just mainly Hobart area.

I just browsed Ebay, and there are a few used Optus/Telstra units on there....what are the dangers in buying a used dongle, other than the obvious it may not work...are there any pitfalls to look for...Looking to get one within about one week?

Any assistances appreciated by you knowledgeable one's.....thanks

**mtv** · 30-07-09, 11:11 PM

Some dongles are locked to a particular carrier, or particular person who registered it first. (I got caught with a Telstra dongle on eBay which couldn't be registered to anyone else)

I did the same shopping excercise recently and went with a DODO USB, which uses the Optus network. Haven't had any reception issues yet, including around Tassie and their prepaid plans are very competitive, especially the time you have to use the credit.

I have a 15GB prepaid with a year to use it.

Telstra Next G has the best coverage outside cities & major regional areas, but their plans/pricing is outrageous.

**warbo** · 31-07-09, 08:27 AM

If you go with a carrier that uses Optus 3G then apart from the modem being unlocked the next most important thing is that you make sure it does both 900mhz and 2100mhz. Otherwise you'll find your service coverage will be very limited.

**Globe** · 31-07-09, 08:42 AM

You could try going without internet access for a couple of weeks, it might do you good.

**warbo** · 31-07-09, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Globe

You could try going without internet access for a couple of weeks, it might do you good.

That's being a little judgmental. More and more people these days rely on internet access to keep a business going etc etc. He did mention a holiday, but there really is no such thing when you run your own business.

Besides, you need some sort of escape from the wife and kids on a two week trip

**mickc** · 31-07-09, 11:27 AM

have a telstra and dodo wireless
telstra has good speed and coverage but a bit pricey
dodo uses optus network has fair coverage is cheaper but the speed is limited
best to check the coverage maps of the areas you are going to

**Globe** · 31-07-09, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by warbo

That's being a little judgmental. More and more people these days rely on internet access to keep a business going etc etc. He did mention a holiday, but there really is no such thing when you run your own business.

Besides, you need some sort of escape from the wife and kids on a two week trip

yeah, I made the assumption that he would use the net for non-work purposes.

When I went on my Carribean/Panama cruise I used a sat system, probably not really suitable in this case. I would look at Telstra Next G, probably cost an arm and leg, but they would have the best coverage, even on the wild west coast.

**warbo** · 31-07-09, 11:45 AM

The problem with telstra nextg is I'm fairly sure they still lock you into a 3 year contract and charge about $89/month. Also any hardware you get from them will probably be locked as well.

With the money you save you could buy a pretty sweet directional antenna for the caravan boosting the optus service in many locations. You might not even actually need one. As mentioned it all depends where you're going.

Optus are supposed to be installing 3 towers a day in an effort to match nextg in the future.

Stay away from vodafone if you want coverage in Tassie or lots of other regional areas. As mtv said Optus have good coverage in Tassie.

**viewer** · 03-08-09, 04:37 PM

Sorry for the late reply, Telstra were working on the local lines and cut us all off for4 days, thus no reply to you all.

Have looked at the coverage maps for them all...you are all correct, all of them want an arm and leg, and perhaps a holiday from the net is needed like Globe said (lol)....perhaps I'll just try to freeload outside a McDonalds or something, all the kids seem to do it down our way..

**warbo** · 03-08-09, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by viewer

Sorry for the late reply, Telstra were working on the local lines and cut us all off for4 days, thus no reply to you all.

Lol......now if only you had wireless at you own place Viewer

**viewer** · 03-08-09, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by warbo

Lol......now if only you had wireless at you own place Viewer

Haha...I deserved that didn't I .....

**checkitout** · 08-08-09, 08:02 PM

My brother got a good deal on a wireless data setup. He got a Blink Modem ($179) when he bought a Laptop with Flexirent from Harvey Norman.

You can connect without a contract and use it whenever you want. eg you can use it for a month then ring up and suspend for any length of time until you next need it. This costs $37.30 per month but if you are doing a Flexirent deal you get it for half price per month.

**viewer** · 08-08-09, 08:14 PM

Thanks all...after looking at options as well as the inflated ebay prices, I have decided to give it a miss. I'll take the laptop away, see if I can freeload anywhere, if not, have the phone cord etc, and will use tpg dialup to see messages etc.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, I appreciated them.

**Farmsky** · 09-08-09, 08:30 AM

Are there any Maccas in Tassie?

You can freeload there and many cafes etc.

**tarwin** · 09-08-09, 09:40 AM

This is perfect for a period away from home where you don't need ongoing access.If you use up the first one then just register the 2nd while away. You will need a modem and I recommend the e169 which is providing me with truly surprising speeds in regional areas, although this is variable and seems to depend a lot on the tower.