3G Data in Australia

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kiwind

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Master Geek
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#27645 2-Nov-2008 21:23

Hi

I'm off to Aus for a few days at the end of the week and I'm struggling to work out how best to get 3G data on mobile devices.

I have two phone options, a Nokia 9121 which is WCDMA 2100/900 and an iPhone which is WCDMA 2100/850. I am a Vodafone NZ subscriber but would very much prefer to buy a local Aussie SIM and use that rather than pay for data roaming.

I will want to use both the Nokia and the iPhone. The Nokia is good for tethering to my laptop for 3G data on it, and the iPhone is good for the mapping while driving around. I'll be in Brisbane initially then driving down to Byron Bay so ideally looking for 2100 coverage as that will work with both phones and I can then SIM swap as needed.

From what I can tell, Optus is a good option with 2100 coverage where I'm going (their coverage map is great - it tells you if it's 2100 or 900 coverage). I think Telstra is all 850, so not much good with the Nokia for tethering to the laptop. Vodafone - do they piggyback with Optus - hard to tell from what I've seen and their website doesn't say what frequencies they use and where. As for 3 - I can't even get onto their website!

Can any of you knowledgeable people help with suggestions for which Aussie mobile company is the one I should go with?

Cheers
Andy

freitasm

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#175326 2-Nov-2008 21:29

You will find that for rural area your best bet is Telstra... They operate a 850MHz nationwide network, bigger than any other operator.

If they have prepaid mobile data is another story.

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nzbnw

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#175329 2-Nov-2008 21:39

As far as I understand with Optus and Vodafone’s expansion plans Optus will have the largest 2100 MHz WCDMA coverage and I believe Vodafone will have a larger 900 MHz WCDMA network.

Optus will have 1 million square kilometres of 3G coverage when their roll out is complete, I am not sure about Vodafone, but Telstra trumps the lot with around 2 million square kilometres.

nzbnw

pedah

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#175341 2-Nov-2008 22:14

if using an unlocked device, optus pre paid is the go, $40 turbo charge gets you 50 Mb data included, $50 turbo charge 500 Mb data included!

sbiddle

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#175342 2-Nov-2008 22:15

Telstra is both 850 and 2100 - their existing 2100 3G network is shared with 3.

kiwind

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#175479 3-Nov-2008 16:08

Do 3 use the 850 network at all, or just the 2100?

It looks like Optus is probably the best - they appear to be 2100 coverage everywhere I'm going (Brisbane, Byron Bay & in between) so I can card swap between the Nokia and iPhone as needed.

Cheers

nzbnw

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#175537 3-Nov-2008 20:22

kiwind: Do 3 use the 850 network at all, or just the 2100?

3 use 2100 MHz in the major metropolitan areas and roam onto Telstra GSM EDGE network elsewhere. They have however been granted access to Next G (W850) roaming and this is likely to begin in the second quarter of 2009 and will only be in areas where 3 currently have roaming abilities on Telstra GSM EDGE.

Roaming rates have yet to be decleared for 3 on Next G (W850), however on data roaming on Telstra's GSM EDGE network is charged for at $1.65 per MB.

nzbnw

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Wannabe Geek
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#179340 22-Nov-2008 04:36

for your iPhone you can go for Telstra..their coverage is really good..you can get 150mb/m for $10 now...

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#179341 22-Nov-2008 04:38

also, even if Telstra may sound a bit expensive which they're anyway..you can expect a far better coverage and a less 3G dropouts..optus and 3 are just pathetic in that sense..