Mobile Broadband

[Mad Dog]

So I'm thinking of moving from Telstra ADSL 256/64 Broadband to Mobile Broadband on the 3 Network.

I'm on unlimited downloads (12G) and it's costing me $59.95 a month.....but my usage is only around a Gig each month.

A 2 Gig allowance on 3 Mobile Broadband is only $29 a month.


Has anyone had any issues with Mobile Broadband - particularly on 3....?????

 

[bubblegoose]

Gday Mad Dog, you may have already had a look but I'd be searching the Whirlpool forums for some good user feedback.

http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/isp-737/3.htm

Check the discussion forums at the bas of page. Good luck.

 

[jim boy]

Whirlpool is always a good bet. But there are couple of things that would make me hesitate if I were you.

Firstly you will be locked into a 24 month contract, things are changing rapidly in the mobile internet world and even in six months that contract may look mighty expensive.

There is only one word to describe the excess charge- gouging. At $100 per extra gigabyte, you might end up forking out alot more than you planned. Can you really forecast what your needs will be in a year's time?

Personally I am looking at getting an add-on data plan for my Optus phone. $29 for a gigabyte with no contract but I will also have my DSL connection as I have a voip home phone and then there is the bittorrent.

 

[Conan Troutman]

I'm using the Virgin Home Phone and Broadband plan which uses a mobile network for both (Optus I think??).

To be honest I would not recommend it to anyone that who doesn't know anything about computers, or anyone that isn't prepared to put up with a few things and knows what they are in for, or anyone with a full head of hair . The broadband needs to be restarted way too many times - I probably disconnect/reconnect my connection maybe 5-10 times a day. At least once every day. (I do use the internet a lot though). Sometimes it lasts only 5-10 mins before having to do it again. I actually have set up a macro bookmark in firefox to open a new tab, login to the router, disconnect and close the tab (it auto-reconnects).

If it weren't for this, it would be great. I'm happy to put up with it because of the price - I pay $70 for unlimited free national calls (other than special numbers & mobiles) and 4Gb download limit at around 512k - it's actaully a bit higher than 512. I pay an extra $10 to raise the d/l limit from 2Gb to 4Gb, so there's a $60 option too. The phone connection also drops out a fairly often too (but it's sort of free calls and I don't use it much). After the 2gb/4gb limit, there's no extra fees, just slows you down to dialup speed.

I am spewin I had to lose my old plan (I moved house) - were on full unlimited downloads with dodo (no Gb limit all or slowdown - stayed at 512k the whole time). But to save money, I'm happy to put up with it. I really hope it improves in the future though - some days it's pretty bad.

No idea if 3 is the same, but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Some good points raised there. On month 11 of my 24 month contract.....and yeah I am regretting it.

The service is good, does the job no worries there, but the prices have dropped dramatically, and 3's zones are not exactly wide.

 

[Edwards27]

I think Vodaphone have same good deals going on

 

[triplemac]

I think Vodaphone have same good deals going on

I was looking at them, $39 plan or something? I am not sure of the coverage though.

 

[darren forssman]

Some good points raised there. On month 11 of my 24 month contract.....and yeah I am regretting it.

The service is good, does the job no worries there, but the prices have dropped dramatically, and 3's zones are not exactly wide.

you can change your plan at any time. i started on the 1g for $29.95 and when they bettered the offer with 2g for the same price i was automatically put on that plan.

just recently i was able to upgrade to the 3g plan at no extra cost.

it is ideal if you dont want to pay the criminals at phone companies their $30 line connection fee. i dont have a house phone and dont need one.

 

[the_fresh]

If you are somebody who needs their emails on the road that's the only time in Australia you should ever need mobile broadband.

If you want it for home use, get iiNets "Naked ADSL"

No line rental and with skype you can set up easily I might add a home phone.

 

[Cousin Jed]

you can change your plan at any time. i started on the 1g for $29.95 and when they bettered the offer with 2g for the same price i was automatically put on that plan.

just recently i was able to upgrade to the 3g plan at no extra cost.

it is ideal if you dont want to pay the criminals at phone companies their $30 line connection fee. i dont have a house phone and dont need one.

Thanks for that. Will do that