Vodafone NZ Vodem stick - travelling to AUS

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › Vodafone NZ Vodem stick - travelling to AUS

mp1

142 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#48557 16-Nov-2009 14:44

So i'm going to australia for a week, I already have a NZ Vodem stick, which i've been told should work if I pop a Vodafone Aus Sim in (the mobile prepay data plans over there are so much cheaper!!). I don't want to roam on the Vodafone NZ network, but am having trouble finding a "sim only" purchase on the Vodafone Australia website.

Had the following chat with a Vodafone Aus agent:

My apologies if this topic is in the wrong thread.

Behodar

11095 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6074

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#273523 16-Nov-2009 14:55

You can get a SIM by itself, and would likely be able to add the mobile broadband by calling the helpdesk (or maybe online after registering the SIM).

mp1

142 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#273528 16-Nov-2009 15:09

easy as that. I should have done my research, didn't think of DSE. VodafoneAUS site was difficult to locate a sim only (prepay). Thanks behodar.

NZCoderGuy

513 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Trusted

Kiwi Dev Studios

#273533 16-Nov-2009 15:27

Having been to Australia recently.. i found i could pickup a Vodafone Prepaid sim card for $9.95 + $29 Jumbo Topup which gave me approximately $150 credit to use for Calls + Txts + Data and $150 of VF2VF calling to use in 30 days.

I then just used it for surfing the web on that $150 of bonus credit - which lasted quite abit. Are you going to be a heavy user?

I know from visiting a Vodafone store over there, that those 1GB Data plans are bundled with a Vodafone USB 3G Modem at a set price $99 AUD - and you can't seperate them, unless you go on a plan (On Account).

Anyway - best of luck - You will also need to register your Sim card before you can use it on the Network, by providing credentials like Passport #, Living Address (AU), Home (NZ) living address etc before the Sim will be active.

You also get $10 Bonus free credit on the Simcard when you purchase for $9.95. I picked up mine from the Vodafone outlet at Brisbane airport, but i'm sure Sydney would be the same.

My 2 cents..

--
Stephen
twitter/ NZCoderGuy / KiwiDevStudios

mp1

142 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#273546 16-Nov-2009 15:48

Not too heavy a user, just want to keep an eye on the Internet Banking, Gmail and maybe upload a few pics to facebook, i'm only over there for a week and have lounge memberships for Qantas travelling domestically in Aus, so $150 should be ample :-)

nitrotech

1285 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 168

#273547 16-Nov-2009 15:52

I had this issue too, I have a voda OZ sim card but I understand that the vodafone OZ data and mobile sims are different so you can't use a voice sim for mobile data except at the $2 per mb casual rate.

I purchased a Virgin sim (the starter packs are $10 and come with 300mb data) and then you can top up with as much data as you like at good rates.

www.virginmobile.com.au

Virgin uses the optus network 900/2100 with good coverage and speed

NZCoderGuy

513 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Trusted

Kiwi Dev Studios

#273558 16-Nov-2009 16:07

Nitro i dont see that offer on their website? can you give me a link?

--
Stephen
twitter/ NZCoderGuy / KiwiDevStudios

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

NZCoderGuy

513 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Trusted

Kiwi Dev Studios

#273561 16-Nov-2009 16:11

never mind Nitro - the link: http://www.virginmobile.com.au/en_au/vma/broadband/pre-paid-mobile-broadband/

Nice plan.. wish i saw that one before i left..

--
Stephen
twitter/ NZCoderGuy / KiwiDevStudios

mp1

142 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#273564 16-Nov-2009 16:18

OH wicked, Virgin looks like the way i'd go. 300mb will be ample. It says bring your own modem, a virgin sim will work in a VodafoneNZ Vodem stick? (when I chuck my 2degrees sim in the vodem it doesnt recognise it...).

alasta

6889 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3363

Trusted

Subscriber

#273565 16-Nov-2009 16:25

Are we sure that the standard NZ Vodem devices are not SIM locked? I'm thinking of doing this next time I travel to Australia but I'd hate to buy a SIM over there and find that my Vodem rejects it.

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#273575 16-Nov-2009 16:49

Nice.. Wish we could get as good a deal here as Virgin offer in Oz.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

nitrotech

1285 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 168

#273581 16-Nov-2009 17:01

alasta: Are we sure that the standard NZ Vodem devices are not SIM locked? I'm thinking of doing this next time I travel to Australia but I'd hate to buy a SIM over there and find that my Vodem rejects it.

No NZ network locks their devices - there is however one exception and that is the CDMA/GSM world mode phones which the GSM part is locked to the telecom roaming sims only.

Virgin uses the same freq's as Vodafone NZ eg 900/2100

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

nitrotech

1285 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 168

#273585 16-Nov-2009 17:13

mp1: OH wicked, Virgin looks like the way i'd go. 300mb will be ample. It says bring your own modem, a virgin sim will work in a VodafoneNZ Vodem stick? (when I chuck my 2degrees sim in the vodem it doesnt recognise it...).

Virgin uses the optus network 900/2100 same as VodafoneNZ but you will need to made a new profile and change the APN to VirginBroadband or use dynamic and it seems to pick it up fine.

2degrees should work too if you have the right APN which is simply internet - I will try it tonight and let you know.

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#273614 16-Nov-2009 18:24

I've used a Vodem with a 2degree's SIM. Just remember to set it for GPRS/Edge data as you won't get 3G

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

quickymart

14940 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13954

ID Verified

#273615 16-Nov-2009 18:26

I'm interested to see if anyone else can get a 2degrees SIM working in a Vodem, too.

Also - John has told me a few times Vodems are *not*, repeat *not* SIM-locked.

nitrotech

1285 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 168

#273628 16-Nov-2009 19:07

quickymart: I'm interested to see if anyone else can get a 2degrees SIM working in a Vodem, too.

Also - John has told me a few times Vodems are *not*, repeat *not* SIM-locked.

It works fine on my 2degrees sim too - however it did take a while for it to pick up the network and painfully slow on GPRS but worked ok.

To set up a new connection go to manage connections, view, new, then type the name and under APN type the APN name.