I’m disillusioned and out of pocket or having attempted to use Optus mobile.

WiFi is fine if I can find someone else’s. The phone here isn’t ADSL capable.

Does anyone have an idea which is best? I do have an iiNet account for dialup which I could change to mobile? Are there others? I see TPG think they are the best. Amaysim has been recommended but again I’d like to hear what others say about their plans so as to be able to improve my bandwith and preferably not be charged more and more money for a service that is not delivering a reasonable service.

Yes, mobile coverage isn’t the greatest where I am currently residing. It wasn’t the best in the other place I’ve been residing but at least I could get WiFi there.

When I can afford it I may purchase a computer and phone capable of 802.11ac. Until then I’m stuck with the older version.

you could do Telstra, and plug your phone into the computer for internet, it’s the way here did it before got Telstra wireless stick

we get full strength Telstra and Optus here, former tower is 600metres away, other ~850metres

transition said:

you could do Telstra, and plug your phone into the computer for internet, it’s the way here did it before got Telstra wireless stick

we get full strength Telstra and Optus here, former tower is 600metres away, other ~850metres

I can drive around but I would suggest from memory of where I see towers, the closest would be way more than 850 m. Is there a map of existing towers I can look up? My central tower or the one that Optus seem to thik the most important, is at Widgelli, Which is approx 20 km distant.

roughbarked said:

I’m disillusioned and out of pocket or having attempted to use Optus mobile.

WiFi is fine if I can find someone else’s. The phone here isn’t ADSL capable.

Does anyone have an idea which is best? I do have an iiNet account for dialup which I could change to mobile? Are there others? I see TPG think they are the best. Amaysim has been recommended but again I’d like to hear what others say about their plans so as to be able to improve my bandwith and preferably not be charged more and more money for a service that is not delivering a reasonable service.

Yes, mobile coverage isn’t the greatest where I am currently residing. It wasn’t the best in the other place I’ve been residing but at least I could get WiFi there.

When I can afford it I may purchase a computer and phone capable of 802.11ac. Until then I’m stuck with the older version.

I think you are confused by the interconnectedness of everything.

There are two ways to get internet into your laptop: Wifi or Mobile

Wifi (of which 802.11ac is a standard) needs to connect to something else that is connected to the internet. This is usually an ADSL router/modem on a fixed land line. If ADSL is not available in your area, you could possibly use a dialup modem with some wifi functionality. (Even the slowest wifi will be faster than your fastest internet speed so no need to care too much there)

Mobile, of which there many hardware options, boil down to two networks. Telstra, and Optus. Telstra has better coverage but charge you accordingly. Optus doesn’t have the coverage but is cheaper and less arrogant. It also has resellers such as Virgin and Amaysim who use the same network but can offer cheaper deals.

In your situation, you may have no other option but to pay the $$$ to use the Telstra mobile network.

Carmen_Sandiego said:

roughbarked said:

I’m disillusioned and out of pocket or having attempted to use Optus mobile.

WiFi is fine if I can find someone else’s. The phone here isn’t ADSL capable.

Does anyone have an idea which is best? I do have an iiNet account for dialup which I could change to mobile? Are there others? I see TPG think they are the best. Amaysim has been recommended but again I’d like to hear what others say about their plans so as to be able to improve my bandwith and preferably not be charged more and more money for a service that is not delivering a reasonable service.

Yes, mobile coverage isn’t the greatest where I am currently residing. It wasn’t the best in the other place I’ve been residing but at least I could get WiFi there.

When I can afford it I may purchase a computer and phone capable of 802.11ac. Until then I’m stuck with the older version.

I think you are confused by the interconnectedness of everything.

There are two ways to get internet into your laptop: Wifi or Mobile

Wifi (of which 802.11ac is a standard) needs to connect to something else that is connected to the internet. This is usually an ADSL router/modem on a fixed land line. If ADSL is not available in your area, you could possibly use a dialup modem with some wifi functionality. (Even the slowest wifi will be faster than your fastest internet speed so no need to care too much there)

Mobile, of which there many hardware options, boil down to two networks. Telstra, and Optus. Telstra has better coverage but charge you accordingly. Optus doesn’t have the coverage but is cheaper and less arrogant. It also has resellers such as Virgin and Amaysim who use the same network but can offer cheaper deals.

In your situation, you may have no other option but to pay the $$$ to use the Telstra mobile network.

Thanks.
Which network does iiNet use?

roughbarked said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

roughbarked said:

I’m disillusioned and out of pocket or having attempted to use Optus mobile.

WiFi is fine if I can find someone else’s. The phone here isn’t ADSL capable.

Does anyone have an idea which is best? I do have an iiNet account for dialup which I could change to mobile? Are there others? I see TPG think they are the best. Amaysim has been recommended but again I’d like to hear what others say about their plans so as to be able to improve my bandwith and preferably not be charged more and more money for a service that is not delivering a reasonable service.

Yes, mobile coverage isn’t the greatest where I am currently residing. It wasn’t the best in the other place I’ve been residing but at least I could get WiFi there.

When I can afford it I may purchase a computer and phone capable of 802.11ac. Until then I’m stuck with the older version.

I think you are confused by the interconnectedness of everything.

There are two ways to get internet into your laptop: Wifi or Mobile

Wifi (of which 802.11ac is a standard) needs to connect to something else that is connected to the internet. This is usually an ADSL router/modem on a fixed land line. If ADSL is not available in your area, you could possibly use a dialup modem with some wifi functionality. (Even the slowest wifi will be faster than your fastest internet speed so no need to care too much there)

Mobile, of which there many hardware options, boil down to two networks. Telstra, and Optus. Telstra has better coverage but charge you accordingly. Optus doesn’t have the coverage but is cheaper and less arrogant. It also has resellers such as Virgin and Amaysim who use the same network but can offer cheaper deals.

In your situation, you may have no other option but to pay the $$$ to use the Telstra mobile network.

Thanks.
Which network does iiNet use?

Optus, by the looks.

Carmen_Sandiego said:

roughbarked said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

I think you are confused by the interconnectedness of everything.

There are two ways to get internet into your laptop: Wifi or Mobile

Wifi (of which 802.11ac is a standard) needs to connect to something else that is connected to the internet. This is usually an ADSL router/modem on a fixed land line. If ADSL is not available in your area, you could possibly use a dialup modem with some wifi functionality. (Even the slowest wifi will be faster than your fastest internet speed so no need to care too much there)

Mobile, of which there many hardware options, boil down to two networks. Telstra, and Optus. Telstra has better coverage but charge you accordingly. Optus doesn’t have the coverage but is cheaper and less arrogant. It also has resellers such as Virgin and Amaysim who use the same network but can offer cheaper deals.

In your situation, you may have no other option but to pay the $$$ to use the Telstra mobile network.

Thanks.
Which network does iiNet use?

Optus, by the looks.

So it is a bit like being stuck with two major parties to vote for?

roughbarked said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

roughbarked said:

Thanks.
Which network does iiNet use?

Optus, by the looks.

So it is a bit like being stuck with two major parties to vote for?

Well, at least you get a choice with mobile coverage. Telstra coverage is definitely much better than Optus’, but Optus is definitely cheaper.

As far as it goes, my copper phone line is Telstra and my Biller is Optus. You say I can get a WiFi capable dialup modem? It would have to be external USB because the laptop has no dialup connector?

roughbarked, are you talking about mobile phone or mobile broadband internet?

Aquila said:

roughbarked, are you talking about mobile phone or mobile broadband internet?

Both. This says that they are going to roll out 4 G soon. http://www.optus.com.au/network/mobile/coverage

roughbarked said:

Aquila said:

roughbarked, are you talking about mobile phone or mobile broadband internet?

Both. This says that they are going to roll out 4 G soon. http://www.optus.com.au/network/mobile/coverage

It seems not what they say about what my phone or computer are able to do. What I get is pretty crappy coverage most of the time.

The above site says this about my current address;

I’m using an Optus dongle on a laptop and I don’t even try using the internet on my cheapo Nokia phone.

Carmen_Sandiego said:

Mobile, of which there many hardware options, boil down to two networks. Telstra, and Optus.

Three, you’ve forgotten Vodaphone. They also have their own network.

Not that I’d use them, mind :)

sibeen said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

Mobile, of which there many hardware options, boil down to two networks. Telstra, and Optus.

Three, you’ve forgotten Vodaphone. They also have their own network.

Not that I’d use them, mind :)

They claim to have better coverage but I think that it is all different.

• Telstra coverage is definitely much better than Optus’, but Optus is definitely cheaper.

Telstra have recently made their plans better. Though I haven’t looked into how much better…

roughbarked said:

As far as it goes, my copper phone line is Telstra and my Biller is Optus. You say I can get a WiFi capable dialup modem? It would have to be external USB because the laptop has no dialup connector?

I did not say you could get one, just that you would have to get one.

A bit of a google suggests the devices exist, but not in large quantities.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1770850,00.asp
http://www.greatarbor.com/products.html

Actually, those bits of hardware are a bit old and probably are unavailable any more.

Roughy, in this modern day and age, the mobile dongle is old technology. I would recommend you look into getting a smart phone for the following reasons:

1. Replace two bits of hardware with only one.
2. Replace two different phone accounts with only one.
3. Buying an old one will allow you to choose the carrier with the best deals/coverage, and even have multiple SIMs if that suits.
4. It is easier to diagnose connection problems on a phone than a dongle.
5. You can place the phone where the best local signal is and use the laptop where you wish. (IE: The study may have poor data reception, but the window sill in the bathroom may be usable)
6. It moves wherever you go, and you also have the option of using the phone for things while out and about.

> I’m disillusioned and out of pocket

You could do what I do. Only use cordless instead of mobile.

… but …

I did buy a $39 mobile for my wife a fortnight ago. We kept the old vodaphone plan and prepayed a pittance for a year of minimal use. Does have Wifi and camera.

mollwollfumble said:

> I’m disillusioned and out of pocket

You could do what I do. Only use cordless instead of mobile.

… but …

I did buy a $39 mobile for my wife a fortnight ago. We kept the old vodaphone plan and prepayed a pittance for a year of minimal use. Does have Wifi and camera.

Hmm there are a few options there.

Only use cordless instead of mobile.

huh?

Boris said:

Only use cordless instead of mobile.

huh?

Well I was being polite.

Ill put this here as well

Explainer: what is 5G?

http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-5g-38489

4GX is what it is called

http://exchange.telstra.com.au/2014/11/03/introducing-the-future-of-4g-telstra-4gx/

I use Telstra because I get it at state government contract rates, but the boy child uses Boost, which is on the Telstra 3G network, and he’s very happy with it. For $40/m he gets:

Unlimited calls and text
7GB data
… some other stuff that I forget.

Boost

Bought the SIM card from Woolworths, I think.

Rule 303 said:

I use Telstra because I get it at state government contract rates, but the boy child uses Boost, which is on the Telstra 3G network, and he’s very happy with it. For $40/m he gets:

Unlimited calls and text
7GB data
… some other stuff that I forget.

Boost

Bought the SIM card from Woolworths, I think.

Thanks I’ll look at that.

Boris said:

Only use cordless instead of mobile.
huh?

Slightly tongue in cheek.

Cordless is great. I wouldn’t use anything else. A typical mobile call costs a dollar a minute. A typical cordless call costs 20c per minute. You do the math. On cordless, like on mobile, I can and do walk around, watch TV, eat a meal, get changed, solve a sudoku, use the internet (on a REAL computer), write in a book, do the gardening all while on the phone. I can’t drive while using cordless, but I wouldn’t do that on mobile anyway.

In my case free unlimited calls (local, mobile and national) on cordless for $20 a month. I was put on hold for over an hour recently – on a mobile it would have cost about $60 – on my cordless it was free.

if you Skype its even cheaper

you can buy wireless Skype phones

mollwollfumble said:

Boris said:

Only use cordless instead of mobile.
huh?

Slightly tongue in cheek.

Cordless is great. I wouldn’t use anything else. A typical mobile call costs a dollar a minute. A typical cordless call costs 20c per minute. You do the math. On cordless, like on mobile, I can and do walk around, watch TV, eat a meal, get changed, solve a sudoku, use the internet (on a REAL computer), write in a book, do the gardening all while on the phone. I can’t drive while using cordless, but I wouldn’t do that on mobile anyway.

In my case free unlimited calls (local, mobile and national) on cordless for $20 a month. I was put on hold for over an hour recently – on a mobile it would have cost about $60 – on my cordless it was free.

I don’t comprehend. Which plan gives you all that for $20 per month?

Aldi is also on the Telstra network and is cheaper than Telstra direct, much like Boost.

Note that Telstra wholesalers don’t have use of all the telstra network. Aldi, from memory has 97% of the Telstra network coverage. If you are in that other three percent, you only option is Telstra direct if you want that network.