In Aussie for a week - data options

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341 posts

Ultimate Geek

#597849 20-Mar-2012 18:47

NonprayingMantis: just be VERY careful with Optus (and Amaysim whihc is an Optus MVNO annd uses the same billing method) as they round each session up to the nearest 10MB - meaning if you do lots of short sessions (checking email, tweeting etc) your data usage will seem to skyrocket

Amaysim round to the nearest 1MB (not 10MB). But at $19.90 for 2.5GB, it doesn't really worry me.
Compared to the pricing of WiFi at the apartments we're staying at (or the prices back in NZ), it's very reasonable and will last us for the holiday.

networkn

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#597857 20-Mar-2012 19:00

Nonpraying, I used Amaysim in Australia at xmas and I DEFINITELY didn't see that. I'm gonna check with them about it.

ferg_nz

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Master Geek

#597868 20-Mar-2012 19:32

I have just come back from a week in Melbourne as well.

My wife and i just used roaming on our XT Blackberry's ($50aud each was the cheapest option to get Blackberry Data) and for the laptop and tablet i brought one of these http://shop.vodafone.com.au/broadband-details/Pocket-WiFi-Prepaid

while it cost $79 from the store I got it from I did see it cheaper (after I brought it) from the likes of Dicksmith's. once I got home I spent another NZ$15 to get it unlocked and can now use the device on any network here. (plan to use Skinny)

I found the 3g Coverage and speed pretty good on Vodafone but we were in the CBD so you would expect it would work well.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#597874 20-Mar-2012 19:50

3g:
NonprayingMantis: just be VERY careful with Optus (and Amaysim whihc is an Optus MVNO annd uses the same billing method) as they round each session up to the nearest 10MB - meaning if you do lots of short sessions (checking email, tweeting etc) your data usage will seem to skyrocket

Amaysim round to the nearest 1MB (not 10MB). But at $19.90 for 2.5GB, it doesn't really worry me.
Compared to the pricing of WiFi at the apartments we're staying at (or the prices back in NZ), it's very reasonable and will last us for the holiday.

seems you are correct. Maybe I misremembered. It's been while since I looked.

anyway, even charging in 1MB blocks is a rort IMO,

networkn

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#597877 20-Mar-2012 19:57

Last I heard it was actually 100K, and 1MB seems high still, since I know when I was in Australia there was one day I was checking my emails every 30 minutes (Manually) though out the day and my usage over the 20 hours I was away from the apartment was only 8MB.

GregV

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Ultimate Geek

#597882 20-Mar-2012 20:02

Well, Virgin's data usage is up to 24-48 hours behind, so I'll let you know tomorrow :)

GregV

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Ultimate Geek

#598285 21-Mar-2012 16:34

No idea how up-to-date this is, but according to one webpage I found, I still have 905.81 MB credit remaining, so its not looking like data us coming off in large blocks.

I am using WP7 so every time the screen locks, the WiFi turns off, and all my email accounts check themselves using the mobile data. If the figure above is fairly current, I am happy :)

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surfisup1000

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Uber Geek

#598298 21-Mar-2012 16:49

freitasm: Whatever you do, don't get Vodafone in Australia.

Why not? I bought a vodafone prepaid card in Melbourne and used it both there and Brisbane and it was fast data and really cheap (it took a while to decipher the confusing plans, and the Australian prepaid anti-crime activation rules are a hassle but that is the same for all operators).

This was a couple of years ago, maybe vodafone AU are not so good now ?

1080p

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#598323 21-Mar-2012 17:46

Probably the best option for that amount of time is Optus. Pop into one of their stores and ask for one of their $2 a day SIM cards. You pay $2 per day (+$2 for the SIM) for unlimited calling, SMS & data.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#598416 21-Mar-2012 22:12

In the last year Vodafone had huge problems with their network. So big, that in fact they were replacing (if not finished yet) their network provider.

GregV

928 posts

Ultimate Geek

#598795 22-Mar-2012 19:00

Update - mobile data usage is still minimal. Ended up turning off WiFi today, and just using mobile data through the day. Fair bit of browsing and email.

Avoids the WiFi congestion where I am, and has the bonus of making my battery last longer.

A++, would Virgin again :)

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#601058 28-Mar-2012 00:07

surfisup1000: and the Australian prepaid anti-crime activation rules are a hassle but that is the same for all operators).

It's now confirmed that I'll be in Aussie next week, so I'm sorry to bring up the thread again, but, what is the process for this these days, especially for business travellers, I seem to recall they like only Australian addresses etc

I'm still umming and ahhing between the Vodafone option (prepaid WiFi thingy-me-jig) + 2nd SIM for mobile OR the Virgin/Optus plans w/ wireless hotspot enabled.

How much charge (if anyone knows) do the Vodafone MiFi units come with out of the box? Enough for a couple of hours before I can check in at my hotel?

GregV

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Ultimate Geek

#601072 28-Mar-2012 07:56

I just gave my NZ contact details. Wasn't a problem

billgates

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#605401 5-Apr-2012 00:00

Travelling to Australia end of April as well for 8 days. Need data and calling within Australia (mostly) and some to NZ. Anything better than Optus $2 days offer? I am thinking of doing the $10 recharge which lasts 10 days for unlimited data, SMS, calling within Australia.

Do whatever you want to do man.

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#605416 5-Apr-2012 01:34

I just returned from my trip to Australia, after picking up a Pocket WiFi2 & Prepaid SIM from Vodafone,

For A$79 the Pocket WiFi was pretty good, I'm going to unlock it and retire the T-Stick we have, so even though I haven't used the full 3 GB I'm happy.

I managed to get the prepaid SIM for free (this seems to be a Brisbane Airport Kiosk only deal) and went on the Vodafone International prepaid plan, managed to get 15 cent SMS AU->NZ and no time limit (*apparently* people have done 40-odd hours - reading the pages it seems like it could be correct) calls to NZ Landlines for $1/call

That is my experience the $2/day Optus plan does sound good, but when I looked at compatibility w/ my XT handset etc, I decided to give Vodafone a shot.

(BTW, if you are flying into Brisbane and looking at the Vodafone stuff, make sure you check if the Kiosk behind Coffee Shop is open, from what they've told me, outside normal Brisbane hours they are apparently often the only store open nationwide, and yeah, free SIMs)

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