roaming to Australia? or Australian sim card?

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#296854 7-Feb-2010 18:40

If you have a Telecom XT device and want to use a local SIM, I would say go Telstra Next G, yes it's more expensive but it supports the same band as Telecom use in NZ, and is by far the biggest 3G network in Australia.

3's coverage is somewhat limited to the main cities, however you can roam to parts of Telstra's Next G network, at $0.50AU per MB on Postpaid, Prepaid I believe it cost more, and you pay a higher rate for voice calls outside 3's Broadband Zone.

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hamish225

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#296855 7-Feb-2010 18:44

hmm, well ill block roaming on my telecom sim and see when i get there then.

*looks up plans on telstra*

*Insert big spe*dtest result here*

nitrotech

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#296864 7-Feb-2010 19:20

gehenna:
nitrotech:
Another thing to note is that three when you are out of range of their sites seamlessly roams onto telstra but at a roaming cost for data, you don't get a warning you simply get charged.

Three roam to Vodafone now where available, not Telstra, and when they do it doesn't change the rate at which you're charged.

Didn't realise that they had already made that change.

Three are still offering 'mega modems' that are 850/2100 not much use on Voda

nzbnw

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#296904 7-Feb-2010 21:27

3 customers can use the 3GIS (3Telstra) network, Vodafone 2G GSM / GPRS (and EDGE where applicable) at their normal rates. 3 customers can also use Telstra's 2G GSM/ GPRS EDGE and parts of Next G (W850) at additional cost for data, and prepaid voice.

They can not at this point use Vodafone's 3G 2100 or 900 networks, and there is debate on some Aussie sites about this, and what VHA will do with 3's existing 50/50 share in 3GIS.

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munchkin

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#297191 8-Feb-2010 21:04

radionut:
gehenna: Forget about Dodo and Virgin, for data you should go with Three.

Hey - thanks - I assume you are over that way, and have some experience. I have been trying to research from here in NZ using the web, and Dodo seemed the best offer - free SIM, and they offer 15G for $139.

I have looked at Three's web page this afternoon, and can't find a straight answer on their prepay broadband offer - do they charge for the SIM? Their costs seem a little higher than Dodo, but maybe they are easier to deal with?

I note the other big players all charge a setup fee.

Noting this is for one or two trips a year, the setup costs can be a significant factor.

3 charge you $29 for a SIM, and as mentioned, their speeds leave something to be desired.

Head to a supermarket and get a $2 Telstra or Vodafone SIM and then grab some credit. Telstra will give you fast near-continent-wide coverage (but at a higher price), while Vodafone have pretty decent 2100 coverage, and EDGE everywhere else.

johnr

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#297193 8-Feb-2010 21:08

munchkin:
radionut:
gehenna: Forget about Dodo and Virgin, for data you should go with Three.

Hey - thanks - I assume you are over that way, and have some experience. I have been trying to research from here in NZ using the web, and Dodo seemed the best offer - free SIM, and they offer 15G for $139.

?I have looked at Three's web page this afternoon, and can't find a straight answer on their prepay broadband offer - do they charge for the SIM?? Their costs seem a little higher than Dodo, but maybe they are easier to deal with?

I note the other big players all charge a setup fee.

Noting this is for one or two trips a year, the setup costs can be a significant factor.

3 charge you $29 for a SIM, and as mentioned, their speeds leave something to be desired.

Head to a supermarket and get a $2 Telstra or Vodafone SIM and then grab some credit. Telstra will give you fast near-continent-wide coverage (but at a higher price), while Vodafone have pretty decent 2100 coverage, and EDGE everywhere else.

and 3G 900mhz in many rural areas

munchkin

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#297194 8-Feb-2010 21:11

That's true - but it won't work with a Telecom device!

johnr

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#297195 8-Feb-2010 21:12

munchkin: That's true - but it won't work with a Telecom device!

Correct

munchkin

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#297196 8-Feb-2010 21:13

johnr:
munchkin: That's true - but it won't work with a Telecom device!

Correct

Actually, I tell lies - there are two Telecom supplied devices that I know of which support both UMTS/HSPA 850 and 900.

johnr

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#297198 8-Feb-2010 21:15

munchkin:
johnr:
munchkin: That's true - but it won't work with a Telecom device!

Correct

Actually, I tell lies - there are two Telecom devices that I know of that support both UMTS/HSPA 850 and 900.

You reckon are they magic

munchkin

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#297200 8-Feb-2010 21:17

One certainly is

I didn't intend to take the thread this far OT

radionut

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#297201 8-Feb-2010 21:18

The device I plan to use is the MF626 stick modem, specs are:

Network and Band compatibility:

HSDPA/UMTS 2100 MHz
HSDPA/UMTS 1900 MHz
HSDPA/UMTS 850 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 1900 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 1800 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850 MHz

nzbnw

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#297203 8-Feb-2010 21:20

johnr:
munchkin:
johnr:
munchkin: That's true - but it won't work with a Telecom device!

Correct

Actually, I tell lies - there are two Telecom devices that I know of that support both UMTS/HSPA 850 and 900.

You reckon are they magic

AFAIK only one that is Telecom supplied :)

nzbnw

munchkin

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#297204 8-Feb-2010 21:21

As above, either Telstra for nationwide coverage (ie, in the city, everywhere else and the sticks) or Vodafone in the cities with their 2100MHz 3G coverage.

From personal experience, Telstra is blisteringly fast.

munchkin

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#297205 8-Feb-2010 21:21

Not sure what happened here...triple post!

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