Prepaid Data-only connection

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chiefie

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Topic # 7605 27-Apr-2006 08:55

Just this morning, I had this idea: What if I am travelling and I have my Vodafone VMC (which I do have it now! YAY!) and I arrived say... Australia? or UK?... anywhere. And I like to get on the Internet to do some email synching and letting people knows where I am and so and so...

Well, I will probably have the local SIM card to use, but so far, I have not seen any carrier providing prepaid data-only SIM. I don't mind one of those that you pay $10 for 1MB, or one that will cost one part of your limbs. I do mean a sufficient 500MB or 1GB prepaid data-only SIM, sure it may cost say NZ$50-80 which you can use, or even a time-based data-only connection will be good too. And if want more credit, just add more like you would with prepaid SIM for voice.

What say?

(I don't mean just for NZ market, but ideally, this model would be good for any carrier around the world. especially these days, everyone are carrying some form of data devices. And soon all devices will be converge as your phone, internet and entertainment unit.)

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freitasm

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Reply # 34097 27-Apr-2006 09:17

chiefie: I don't mind one of those that you pay $10 for 1MB, or one that will cost one part of your limbs. I do mean a sufficient 500MB or 1GB prepaid data-only SIM, sure it may cost say NZ$50-80 which you can use, or even a time-based data-only connection will be good too. And if want more credit, just add more like you would with prepaid SIM for voice.

Some operators in the US seems to offer a prepaid SIM and data may be available. Never tried it myself. Best options is to look for a Wi-Fi hotspot. It is much cheaper than Vodafone's $10/MB (on other Vodafone networks) or $30/MB (on non-Vodafone networks) roaming charges.

Last time in the USA I paid $1.50/hour on Wi-Fi... If not free in some cafe' (a foreign concept to New Zealand restaurant operators).

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chiefie

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Reply # 34100 27-Apr-2006 09:28

Yeah I agree WiFi will be significantly cheaper option than Vodafone's roaming data.

Last time when I was back in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, there are a handful of cafe with free wifi connection, some are just open-to-use, some require you to request for access code but nonetheless they're free. And at Coffee Bean (another StarBuck-like cafe) has wifi too but i'm not too sure if it is free or not. Then when I was at KL, StarBucks (and there are a lot, like one in ever corner of the street block in main district) was running a Maxis-Starbucks promotion on free internet connection over Wifi, but they are expecting a charge-based service soon with Maxis Telecommunication, either via mobile phone account (pre/post paid) and prepaid card, much like Telecom-Starbucks in NZ.

the myth of free wifi is still very much an urban legend. sad.

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chiefie

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Reply # 34101 27-Apr-2006 09:29

Oh, if you're in singapore, and you roam with StarHub, you may get a greeting from them to say you can use their Wifi hotspot at some location, and definitely in the Changi Airport (handy for transitting people), otherwise it is a prepaid service too.

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Reply # 34104 27-Apr-2006 09:37

chiefie: the myth of free wifi is still very much an urban legend. sad.

Free WiFi everywhere is a myth. But free WiFi with other services is available, at least in the USA - I've used in some cafes over there. As I said, foreign concept in New Zealand.

What's is really a myth is the concept that Wi-Fi would have extensive coverage, more than cellular networks. That is not the case.

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chiefie

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Reply # 34107 27-Apr-2006 10:01

Oh yeah, extensive Wifi coverage is a total myth... WiMAX sounds good but that would be like using it with ISP. (no offence to those are already on WiMAX in auckland)... I remember I read something about this yesterday or earlier this week about Comcast and Roger in US/Canada are looking at releasing WiMAX trial?

I don't know much about it and i really don't care. In the end of the day, if i am to get on the Internet, I would like it to be as cheap as possible... (LOL showing how cheap-as i am! LOL)

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Reply # 34139 27-Apr-2006 19:15

Vodafone Australia allow prepaid customers to access only Vodafone live and other WAP sites. I researched it when I was over there and NONE offer full data access.

Most countries are like this, VodaNZ is one of the few (only?) that allows full data access on prepaid. Data also works with Prepay Autoroam and quite often is cheaper ($10 a meg) than some local sims anyway