Communication Options

Yes, That can be a real trap when using your regular mobile to do data calls.

That is why I advised the dedicated data service above. Much easier to control costs. Stick to Plan hours and it is pretty easy to budget for it.

Telstra or the other telcos really do not mind if u run up a huge data phone bill! And working out data call costs on a regular mobile phone can be very frustrating.

Muddy

Depends where you are.

In Capital cities it connects to something called EV-DO (a "flovour" of CDMA) which delivers up to 600kbps (about 10 times dial up).

Outside those areas it uses the 1x part of the CDMA network and is comparable to dial up but depending on signal strength can be very slow (think 9.6kbps).

Still - better than strapping a note to the leg of a pigeon or sending smoke signals!

You are correct in saying it will get better with time. The minimax is still an early product in this field and is better that the first attempts such as the Sierra Aircard that went in the PCMCIA port. Telstra have withdrwn this product as it was tricky to install and keep going resulting in lots of frustrated customers calling the help lines.

There should be heaps of new products out soon for wireless longer range internet from providers like 3 and Unwired. Just look at the political bunfight at the moment about the sale of Telstra and services in the bush. At the moment the minimax is about the best value and easy to use but expect that to change!

Cheers
Muddy

If your laptop has wifi then the 49.95 includes access through wifi hotspots places like McDonalds in capital cities. Telstra is already doing corporate deals where you don't need to sign up for a long term contract (currently 2 years to get the Minimax for free) and if you don't continue the service you simply hand back the modem.

You'll need to plan your connections so that you use the full 15 minute blocks rather than connect, send an email, read a new one, compose the reply and then find that you're sending it 16 minutes after you connected - using up 2 blocks of connection. 20 hours isn't that much if you surf the web. It's cheaper to do that sort of thing at an internet cafe.

I long to have your problem!

Adrian

Thanks Muddy,
I have been interested in both the aircard, and now the minmax. Your comments are much appreciated. I wasnt aware of the problems with the aircard, and prefer the minmax as it suits our purposes when travelling in the caravan (better reception as modem can be outside van on usb lead).

Have tried using the Maroochydore Library for email etc when we are on holidays up that way. The only problem is that it is quite busy, and often you have to book a couple of days in advance.

The minimax would be great for up there, as we can use it at the caravan site, or pop into the wireless sites to use the (wifi) laptop. Just disappointed that the speed slows so much in county areas, especially with a limit of 20 hours per month in 15 minute blocks.

But like you said, better than carrier pidgeon and smoke signals, and safer that internet cafes for banking etc.

Col

Col/Muddy

The Aircard is available again with new firmware & allegedly none of the initial problems. You can get an external aerial for it from a company called Wincom. There is also an option to go onto a plan that has 2OO MB or 500 MB per month. I'm organising 15 units for work and it's been a frustrating process getting a consistent answer about packages from Telstra and its dealers. If all goes well I can let you know how it goes over the next couple of weeks.

Adrian