Boost mobile coverage

Boost is Telstra and uses the whole Telstra network, unlike some of the resellers using the Telstra network.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

I have 2 SIMs in my phone, a Telstra and an Optus. The Optus is through Moose Mobile and quite cheap. I've been blown away sometimes with how there 's been Optus signal in remote places where there hasn't been any Telstra. For anyone needing maximum coverage to stay in touch I do recommend a dual SIM phone with a cheap second SIM.

I have worked in many remote sites and telstra is the only option.
Yes other companies use their network and are much cheaper but have their drawbacks.
When there is limited bandwidth for voice comunications it is the cheaper alternatives that grind to a hault and get booted first.
In remote camps of up to 2500 rooms it is quite common just after the end of shift.
In small towns not so much of a problem until there is an event such as a bash.

As stated Boost coverage is identical to Telstra and this has been our recent experience. Plenty of threads on the Caravanners Forum about this. We've just been to the Flinders, Arkaroola and Marree. One of the party was on Optus (not a reseller), the other was Telstra and we were Boost. Boost was superior to Optus everywhere but Marree where the sheer number of people in town was overloading the Telstra 4G network. We paid $260 for a 12 month 260Gb deal on a Black Friday special, previously we were on the smallest Telstra post paid plan at $35 pm with only 2Gb pm. We would always exceed this when on the road. The Boost plan also includes free o/s calls to select countries.

Hi William,

This subject has been covered before on this forum, there are a number of threads regarding this if you do a search.

For the best mobile phone coverage overall, you are better to have two phones, one on Optus, and one on Telstra or Boost Mobile. As others have stated, Boost Mobile uses the whole Telstra Network.

Optus were clever in that they installed infrastructure in some remote places where Telstra did not have coverage, now Telstra is catching up installing their own infrastructure in these places.

From recent reading, the best telephone coverage for remote areas Australia wide is still a Satellite Phone on the Iridium Network. The Starlink Satellite network will be better from what I have read, once it is fully operational across the whole country. Currently it still does not cover all of Australia.

Below is a map of the mobile phone coverage Australia wide, not sure how recent it is, but it is not that old.



Macca.

Boost has the same coverage as Telstra, but doesn't always have the same speed. Last I checked, it didn't have access to 4GX technology, nor 5G. The above posts suggest that 5G is starting to happen.

Having just done a swing through the Flinders Ranges I was stunned by the tiny places that had both Optus 3G and Telstra 4G, e.g. Rawnsley Park, Blinman, Beltana. The couple that run the excellent Beltana camping site expained that Optus had a contract with the SA Government to provide coverage where they needed it, so they came first and at the time it was 3G. Telstra came later with 4G, and a taller antenna.

It's certainly the case that Optus can be faster in practice if everyone is on the Telstra service, e.g.Rawnsley Park, provided you're close enough to the 3G antenna. It pays to have both carriers and to check speeds when there's both, rather than to simply assume that 4G is faster

We have great success with Pennytel. Cheap no contract and plans start at $10.98 per month. It uses 98% of the Telstra network. Worth a try.

TPG and Tls have recently reached an in-principle agreement to share some infrastructure in fringe/regional areas William, so depending on what the details of the deal reveal (and ACCC approval) it may not be too long before TPG is using Tls towers etc outside cities.

OPTUS claims this will reduce competition and has - not unexpectedly - opposed the deal. I have no expertise/inside info but having read a little on the proposal and objection I can't see any reason why the ACCC would kill the deal.

Google will find info/discussion on the topic, here's one link: Tls-TPG Agreement

If you decide to go to BOOST be aware that there have been quite a few recent complaints about the lack of service if you have connection/account/number porting issues. Mentioning the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) might help focus their attention if problems persist.

This DEALS WEBSITE has regular discounts on Boost 12 month pre-paid kits. Note that these discounts are usually unavailable to continuing customers. You'll find comments and discussion on Boost customer service in deals and forum posts on the same website - which has many tech-savvy members.

Boost is Telstra's no frills service. It uses 100% of the Telstra network.

The only problem you can have is contacting support and/or getting info on things can be darn hard, because they don't offer much support (frills).

Telstra and Boost are the only 2 you have that use the entire Telstra network.

Another thing to consider could be getting a cheap plan from anyone for your mobile and hiring a sat phone when you go away. Just a thought.

Thank you every one for your suggestions.
I think I will look into Boost mobile, they seem to foot the bill.
I have a phone on a Telstra long life plan I use to give my wife a quick 2 rings then hang up and she can then ring me back, texts and internet are expensive on that plan.
I also have a satellite phone on Pivotel which I can do the same and Anita can call me back on normal mobile rates and of course is there for emergencies.
Once again,
Thank you.
William

Boost offer 140Gb / 12 months for $200 for new customers, but only 100Gb for renewals. Does anyone know what consitutes a "new customer"? I only use it for data, so I don't care about keeping the phone number. If I buy a new SIM and get a new number, will it regard me as new or existing? I could create a new Boost account with a new email address, but as you have to pass the 100 points to activate, it will be pretty clear it's the same person. I guess I could put it in my wife's name every other year.

G'day,
Thanks to everyone who responded to my enquiry.
I have ordered a Boost SIM card and will give them a go.
I hope to head into western nsw in the school holidays and will give it a workout.
William