Notso replied:

If you want the best coverage it's Telstra. Depends where you are going, but an option that doesn't lock you in to a contract is to use your Next G Mobile phone and buy a data pack for it

Cheaper is Optus

sepp5762 replied:

I also use Telstra..best coverage, but still limited, so depends how romote you are going. You would need to join a plan for 24 months, which seems over the top for 8 weeks, enqires about a data pack for your nextG phone.

Dunco (NSW) replied:

Depending on where you are going...but the only way to go is with Bigpond as they have the monopoly on the wireless broadband. The other carriers DO NOT have the coverage that Bigpond has. If you can get a signal on your phone, you can access the internet.

I just spent 5 weeks in the NT with NO access ot Optus, but access to Telstra.

Good luck with your choice

Member - Graeme W (NSW) replied:

Like it's been said above, Next G wireless will be the best coverage.

I had the Next G USB modem while travelling last year and you should get reception anywhere you have mobile phone coverage.

It really isn't good value though and I've got rid of it in favour of an ADSL connection for home and intend to use internet cafes etc when travelling in the future.

It was costing me about $75/month for a plan with a 1GB limit. This plan was also at a reduced speed. 3GB was about $115/month. I found performance was not as good as an ADSL connection either.

Plans could have changed, but wireless also has excess usage charges to consider.

For me, the cost downside outweighed the convenience of wireless internet. Of course in your case it might be worth it. Everyone's different after all.

Graeme

Member - Norm C (QLD) replied:

Next G is certainly the way to go. It is the only one with reasonable coverage in the bush.
There are two options - Bigpond and Telstra.

As far as I know, Bigponds plans all need a modem and a conract (normally 2 years). They have plans based on usage and time (10 hours per month).

With Telstra, you have the option of a modem (under contract) or using your Next G phone as the modem on casual data packs (no contract).

We use our Samsung A 412 (or 411) phone connected direct to the laptop via the supplied data cable. We use the 1G data packs which cost $89 per month. 200MB costs $59 per month. No contract. Order the pack to be applied to your phone before you head off. Call Telstra and cancel it when you get back.

I'm currently in the NT on the McArthur River about 40KM from Borroloola (middle of nowhere). Works fine with the high gain antenna on top of a 20 ft sapling. People next to us have a modem card and can not get access. They have to drive to Borroloola for better signal strength to get on. I think the problem is that the antenna for the modem card is not good enough and they have not been able to get a better one that will connect.

If you won't use the mobile broadband all year, IMHO, the casual data packs are the way to go.

Norm C

stephen looking replied:

G'day Archar why pay for the internet I've been travelling now for 7 months and get by with free hot spots.
I guess it all depends on where you are but most coffee shops have free wireless, and the library is also a great place to go, and there are so many people that just don't secure the wireless

Cheers........Steve

Member - Russnic [NZ] replied:

Last year I used Vodafone, sounded good with the sale talk
Only any use in the City's. would work in places further out but the cost was horrendous $800.00 plus for three weeks on top of the usual rental took a few minutes of my Internet time to find that out.
Buy Hema maps that show the towns that have Internet, spend $3.00- 5.00 an hour and talk to locals as well, great value.
Never used it for an hour at any time, just to to check with family and let them know all OK and destination.
Only way to go I reckon.
Do business with the locals not the Internationals
Russ

ctaplin replied:

Can anyone tell me how easy it is to just purchase 10 hours of NextG usage for $34.95 as shown on the Bigpond website?Site Link

I have recently bought a Maxon ModMax 3G Data Modem and Radome 4db Marine antenna but don't really want to sign up to a long term contract, as I only need mobile internet access while travelling for a few weeks per year.

Thanks,
Chris

Member - Ian F (WA) replied:

Hi Archar
I have been using the Telstra wireless for 6 months (7.2 USB Card)
The initial cost was high ( $349 USB Card & $84.95 per mth for 1gb !2months ) I find it good and also have an external antenna
for use in fringe area's
Don't fall for Teltra's so called special for 36 months with a free modem as it will cost more in the long run.
I have used the mobile phone as a modem but found it very slow
Hope this is of some help
Ian

psproule replied:

Do you already have a decent 3G / NextG phone? Then chances are you already have wireless internet. Telstra wont tell you unless you ask them but generally a NextG phone plan includes a small amount of data, to which you can purchase more, and your phone acts as the modem via either bluetooth or the data cable that would have come with the phone. Works a treat with my Nokia E51 on a $40 plan, and used to work on my Samsung A701. You dont need to go and buy dedicated hardware and another "plan" to do this.

Pat

stevesub replied:

We are traveling in NW QLD and in Longreach right now. We have not had phone coverage for 3 days (Telstra GSM) but each night (close to some small town), we have had NextG coverage with our USB modem and 3dB gain antenna. There are a lot of smaller towns in NW QLD that only have NextG, nothing else. Even in Longreach you can only get NextG, Telstra GSM and Optus (Vodafone, who).

We have a VOIP account and that works fine for phone calls from the laptop over NextG.


Stevesub

Bob of KAOS replied:

Archar

I am using the Telstra Next G wireless broadband modem. Most of the time in the car (in town) it works well on its two little side mounted antennae but when stationary in fringe areas I attach the optional external antenna which can be on a long stick or up a tree. The Maxtor antenna comes with a 5m lead. On trips its mounted on the roof. Unfortunately, with Next G, UHF, HF, TV and multiple satellite antennae aloft, the car looks like a porcupine.

Even when phones aren't receiving I can log on.

Initially I had the superfast connection, but have down graded to the cheaper, slower connection. Its a 1 GB plan so you need to be careful when driving around running google maps or google earth connected to the GPS.