Mobile Data whilst in Australia

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networkn

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#116312 24-Apr-2013 22:41

Hi There!

I typically use Amaysim in Australia when I am there, and I am back there in June for a week. I would estimate I need somewhere between 3-6GB (I can make do with 3GB and would like 6GB) and am wondering who you guys/girls use when you are there? Amaysim have a $39 unlimited pack which includes 4GB of data, and I have found the coverage and HSDPA speeds pretty respectable but I'll have a 4G Phone by then so wondered if anyone had suggestions for a faster/cheaper/better alternative?

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#805207 24-Apr-2013 22:45

There are no MVNO's that use 4g here that I know of so you'd be limited to Telstra or Optus (only in major CBDs ATM) and their pre-paid data rates, which are astronomical compared to MVNOs. I use Amaysim on my nexus 7 and optus (contract) for my handset.

*and by "CBD" I mean "CBD"... in Adelaide both optus and telstra cover about 4sq km.

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#805209 24-Apr-2013 22:53

Hmm ok, well I don't NEED 4G, I know when I had Amaysim in Melbourne near the convention centre I was getting about 14Mbps which will be fine especially under the price they have it for. Any other MVNO's I should consider?

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#805212 24-Apr-2013 22:56

the optus $2 per day unlimited everything prepaid offer is great for short stays. $14 for 7 days sounds a lot better than purchasing a $30 or $40 data pack. If you are staying for 30 days its a different story...

https://www.optus.com.au/shop/prepaidmobile/2dollardays

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#805213 24-Apr-2013 22:59

Regs: the optus $2 per day unlimited everything prepaid offer is great for short stays. $14 for 7 days sounds a lot better than purchasing a $30 or $40 data pack. If you are staying for 30 days its a different story...

https://www.optus.com.au/shop/prepaidmobile/2dollardays

Not sure how I missed that I was on their site :)

Do you know if they limit speed or how they are for coverage in Melbourne?

Says unlimited "browsing" I wonder what they constitute as browsing? :)

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#805217 24-Apr-2013 23:03

Unlimited "mobile internet browsing" sounds more like WAP and their terms state it may need different mobile internet settings, so I doubt there'll be much speed there.

"Some handsets are set to seek data automatically (eg email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply."

:-/

Don't get me wrong, it sounds good but as an optus customer, if it sounds good, it's probably BS

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#805234 24-Apr-2013 23:08

blakamin: Unlimited "mobile internet browsing" sounds more like WAP and their terms state it will need different mobile internet settings, so I doubt there'll be much speed there.

"Some handsets are set to seek data automatically (eg email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply."

:-/

I was just amending my post to note the same thing :) Looks like Amaysim is still the best choice.

$40 is reasonable in my opinion considering it's about that for 1 nights limited internet at the hotel I am staying :)

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#805235 24-Apr-2013 23:12

LOL, was just editing mine too!

I find amaysim amazing, and so do quite a few other GZ's that travel. At least you know what you're getting!

I was just looking at the newest MVNO, Boost... They use Telstra 3g, but their prices aren't as good as amaysim.
Kogan is another but people are/were getting kicked off for data use.. edit: max 400mb per day.

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Snowflake

#805247 24-Apr-2013 23:43

I had no problems tethering phone as wifi hotspot to a laptop and other phone on 2$ day plan. your mileage might vary. check the following threads:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2006263 (unlimited on $2 a day)
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1928224 (service suspended)
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2043313 ("~2Mb/sec down ~600k up (I'm in SA). Fine for watching youtube at 480p. Don't expect a super fast connection.")

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#805250 24-Apr-2013 23:47

Regs: I had no problems tethering phone as wifi hotspot to a laptop and other phone on 2$ day plan. your mileage might vary. check the following threads:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2006263 (unlimited on $2 a day)
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1928224 (service suspended)
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2043313 ("~2Mb/sec down ~600k up (I'm in SA). Fine for watching youtube at 480p. Don't expect a super fast connection.")

Scary "I dont even bother during the day it can barely load a webpage let alone torrent or youtube"

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#805276 25-Apr-2013 00:55

should have done my homework better.
In NSW earlier this year for a week.
Got off the plane at airport. Vodafone at the airport so we signed up for a simcard. Paid AU$49 for it. Sorry cant remember the details now

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#805279 25-Apr-2013 02:50

For what it's worth, I just got back from Melbourne - the Optus at the airport would only sell the $2 days SIM card with a minimum 30 day topup (so $60), or Prepaid Social ($50). Went for the Prepaid Social option - the rep swapped out bundled international calling/texting for an extra GB of data, which gave me a bit over 4GB in total.

Would have preferred to just pay for 6 days worth of $2 days, but the rep was convinced that wasn't an option (and I couldn't be bothered investigating further).

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#805280 25-Apr-2013 03:12

KevinL: For what it's worth, I just got back from Melbourne - the Optus at the airport would only sell the $2 days SIM card with a minimum 30 day topup (so $60), or Prepaid Social ($50). Went for the Prepaid Social option - the rep swapped out bundled international calling/texting for an extra GB of data, which gave me a bit over 4GB in total.

Would have preferred to just pay for 6 days worth of $2 days, but the rep was convinced that wasn't an option (and I couldn't be bothered investigating further).

Sounds like the rep was having it on. The way it normally works is that you buy a pre-paid sim which is automatically connected with plan XYZ, then you call Customer Services and they can set your plan to the $2 a day one. Then you apply your top up and begin using it.

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#806088 26-Apr-2013 19:32

the Sydney airport Optus will sell $2/day unlimited domestic phone/text and internet

I normally spend $10 for 5 days when I go through there

done it heaps of times. no worries. good deal

nathan

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#806092 26-Apr-2013 19:37

blakamin: Unlimited "mobile internet browsing" sounds more like WAP and their terms state it may need different mobile internet settings, so I doubt there'll be much speed there.

"Some handsets are set to seek data automatically (eg email or other apps). This will use the internet and, in some cases, charges will apply."

:-/

Don't get me wrong, it sounds good but as an optus customer, if it sounds good, it's probably BS

never had a problem all the times I've used the $2 a day Optus deal using unlimited

I've tethered and shared out over WiFi to multiple devices and done GBs and GBs in a day

Good deal

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#806097 26-Apr-2013 19:53

I bought the $2 a days sim in Feb and got 4Mb down, watched YouTube etc, downloaded podcasts etc. Estimated my usage as wrong 500-700 Mb per day with no issues.

Highly reecomended.

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