Mobile phone coverage in Kimberlies

Submitted: Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 17:06
ThreadID: 4393 Views:4809 Replies:6 FollowUps:5
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Can anyone who has travelled recently thru the Kimberlies tell me from their experience the extent of mobile coverage. We will be traveliing the full length of theGibb River Road , the Mitchell Plateau and Bungles.
Thanks -Somebody
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Reply By: Rod - Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 17:13

Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 17:13
Was there in 2001. Optus GSM only worked in Kununurra and Broome. Maybe better now ?
AnswerID: 17593

Follow Up By: Cam - Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 18:59

Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 18:59
I was there in July last year & had no coverage at all with a CDMA along the GRR & the Kalumbaru Rd.
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Follow Up By: Member - Tim- Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 01:29

Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 01:29
I was there 2001 and only got OPTUS coverage near the main towns
Testra might be the better choice
Tim
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Reply By: joc45 - Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 17:42

Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 17:42
If you're with Telstra mobile, check this out for coverage maps:
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobilenet/network/mapsview.cfm

Also depends whether you're on cdma or gsm - different maps for each.

Don't expect too much coverage anywhere on the GRR, Mitchell Plat or Bungles. There are, however public phones at places like Kulumburu, Bell's Gorge, Mt Barnett, and several other places. You will need to use your Telecard, or buy a pre-paid card, as a lot of the public phones do not take cash.
Happy travelling
Gerry
AnswerID: 17599

Reply By: Allyn (Pilbara) - Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 19:54

Monday, Apr 14, 2003 at 19:54
forget it !
Sign up for a Telstra card that bills back to your home number as there's a couple of public phones along the way (not coin operated).
Other than that there's a few payphones at Iminitji Store, Kalumburu, Mt Barnett Roadhouse, Drysdale Station & El Questro.
AnswerID: 17606

Reply By: rors101 - Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 09:45

Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 09:45
I hate to say it ... but there is only ONE region called he "KIMBERLEY" - ie NO "Kimberlies"
If you like the place, please use it's name. ;-)
AnswerID: 17642

Follow Up By: Allyn (Pilbara) - Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 13:11

Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 13:11
You didn't hate to say it at all - In fact I reckon you loved every word !

There was no need for that at all really!
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Follow Up By: rors101 - Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 13:23

Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 13:23
Touchj
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Reply By: Member - John- Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 22:33

Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003 at 22:33
Use your mobile phone as a voicemail collecting device when you are in one of the six Kimberley towns and call home if you wish. Mobile coverage (Telstra) is good for about 25km out of the 6 main towns. It works NO WHERE ELSE. Optus and Vodafone are even more deaf. In the Kimberley there are no traffic lights, mobile phones are very unimportant and no one drinks cafe latte!

EPIRB's are a worthy addition to your kit when away from the towns in the Kimberley. The RFDS, Police and Emergency Services are excellent and very well co-ordinated (and free north of the 26th parallel). If you have a serious motor accident or medical emergency they will generally have you out of anywhere in the Kimberley into a hospital a couple of hours after you hit the EPIRB. Even down to Perth in 6 hours. Honestly, in many ways the service is better than country NSW, SA & Vic.

Suggest you carry the EPIRB in the passenger or drivers door pockets. If you have a rollover and cannot get out of the vehicle having the EPIRB within arms reach could be a life saver.

Strongly recommend at least one member of your party has a current senior first aid certificate and a comprehensive first aid kit.

Aside from that ... who needs a mobile phone in the Kimberley ??

JohnS
Derby, WA
AnswerID: 17731

Follow Up By: plexus - Wednesday, Apr 16, 2003 at 09:22

Wednesday, Apr 16, 2003 at 09:22
Oh come on now John.... how else is one going to check the progress of the stock market whilst sipping one's cafe latte from the comfort of one's leather chair in the Range Rover with the air conditioner on to prevent the burred walnut dashboard from cracking under the hot sun?
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Reply By: Member - Trevor- Wednesday, Apr 16, 2003 at 13:44

Wednesday, Apr 16, 2003 at 13:44
Thank you everyone for your responses , helpful information and commentary.
Need to maintain contact despite remoteness due to family illness -- have now decided to hire sat. phone.
Don't drink lattes or have Range Rover and no need to play stock market.
Kimberley in a Toyota 4WD ute will be interesting for us but nowhere near as challenging or uncomfortable as travel on foot in many distant lands.
Thanks again for responses.
AnswerID: 17768

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