Internet Access In Aussie

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Internet Access In Aussie

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#37852 20-Jul-2009 15:02

None of the forums seemed to fit, so asking here.

I'm off to aussie soon, and I am call for work so might need to access the internet. I expect that I might use anywhere up to about 500mb (at the absolute worst case scenario).

I am a vodafone on-account customer (thus posting here :) ) .

What is the most cost effective method? Roaming on Vodafone NZ looks like they charge $30/MB. That is just ridiculous .

I looked at wifi cafe's etc, but they seem inconvenient.

So, I see the following options:

1. Buy prepaid mobile usb stick for $119 which includes 500mb data.

http://store.vodafone.com.au/prepaid-mobile-broadband-deals.aspx

But, can I use this in NZ ? Not sure if these things have sims or not.

2. SImilar to (1), but with telstra.

3. Buy a prepaid sim in aussie. I can put this into my phone, but is it possible to connect the laptop to the phone as a 'modem' ?? Should any bluetooth phone allow this?

And, which operator gives the best deal? I find their websites annoyingly confusing.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#237177 20-Jul-2009 15:06

A Vodafone NZ customer roaming on Vodafone AU is $10 per meg for internet traffic

John

Aaroona

3193 posts

Uber Geek

#237189 20-Jul-2009 16:05

wreck90:

But, can I use this in NZ ? Not sure if these things have sims or not.

3. Buy a prepaid sim in aussie. I can put this into my phone, but is it possible to connect the laptop to the phone as a 'modem' ?? Should any bluetooth phone allow this?

Firstly, I don't see why you wouldnt be able to do that, unless of course they lock their devices.

You may want to ring VFAUS to work this out if no-one knows here.
but im assuming it wouldnt be locked.

Secondly, what phone are you using? that determines whether it is capable or not.

However, most phones these days are able to be tethered to a computer for internet (via USB or Bluetooth).

Aaroona

3193 posts

Uber Geek

#237192 20-Jul-2009 16:12

Oh, and btw, it might be cheaper to do this:

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileInternetDetails.jsp?skuId=sku5850074&selectionKey=internet

and then buy a sim card over there, + the 500MB data.

prices are here: http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/mobilebroadband/mobile-broadband-prepaid.htm

And from what I hear, SIM cards are relatively cheap.

stevonz

397 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#237216 20-Jul-2009 17:05

Pop in to a vodafone or DSE store... most usb sticks will come with a portion of pre-paid data (I just read an article last week on this but can't find it - gave good comparisons). Steer clear of Telstra NextG - good cverage hugely over-priced.

Cheers, Stevo

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#237627 21-Jul-2009 18:56

Thanks for the tips. DSE looks interesting.

benmurphy66

349 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#237964 22-Jul-2009 16:41

I am doing the same but already have a vodafone mobile data contract in NZ. So I am taking my USB modem over and will grab a $10 Sim only pack from Three and then it's $15 for 500 meg. so basically $25 for the first 500 meg and then 15 for each 500 meg after that.

Much better value than what we can get in NZ.

Aaroona

3193 posts

Uber Geek

#237965 22-Jul-2009 16:42

benmurphy66: I am doing the same but already have a vodafone mobile data contract in NZ. So I am taking my USB modem over and will grab a $10 Sim only pack from Three and then it's $15 for 500 meg. so basically $25 for the first 500 meg and then 15 for each 500 meg after that.

Much better value than what we can get in NZ.

dollars or quid?

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

benmurphy66

349 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#237966 22-Jul-2009 16:46

Australian Dollars, Also I believe sim comes with 100 meg free if you register it online.

Aaroona

3193 posts

Uber Geek

#237967 22-Jul-2009 16:47

benmurphy66: Australian Dollars, Also I believe sim comes with 100 meg free if you register it online.

Ohh right (and sorry about my quid question, was thinking of a different thread, haha.)

couchman75

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#237976 22-Jul-2009 16:59

Or you could go with Virgin Mobile. $10 for a SIM, comes with $10 credit which you can use for data at $10/300Mb. Optus Network so has reasonable coverage.