Internet Access

If you are looking at a wireless broadband type connection, Tel$tra is your only real option at the moment, & it doesn't seem to have a "no plan", pay for what you use deal. Unfortunately for us, they have got the best coverage & got you by the short & curlies if you want to use it.

Hi Cram - we are 1 week off leaving, and mainly wanted email while away.
As we have Optus Cable at home, they offer a $5 per month unlimited download dial-up service, while you are travelling.
It is a local call anywhere in Australia.
Our mobile phone (Samsung D600) has an inbuilt modem, and connects to the Laptop. The software with the phone has the internet option - and it was dead easy.
You run the set-up just once - eg put in the phone number, user and password.
After that - just plug the phone into the Laptop and hit connect.

Good points
Ease of set-up and use;
Speed - actually very fast (at home -near transmitters).

Unknown - How much coverage is there in towns in NT and WA?
We only want it to check emails, and possibly pay a bill, so only plan to use it when at a Caravan park in a town (eg every 3-4 days at most).

Cost : (provided you already have Optus broadband).
No plan - just pay for the time you need it, then cancel.
Cheap - $5/month unlimited.
Mobile cost - eg pay for time on the phone. (emails are fast).

In theory at least - this will do the job. Will know for certain in a few weeks time.
........................Keith

I use Telstra NextG and just connect my NextG phone up to the laptop - works a treat and you can buy the data pack to suit your usage.

Mine is a Samsung A710 and works a treat. 230Kbps usually.

For internet and e-mails we use a telstra next G turbo modem on our Laptop works ok but may invest in a car antenna.

I've just moved to NextG and have an $8 3MB data pack. At the moment there is a special on and you get 37MB (from memory) for two months for $8. Might be handy if you are travelling soon.

G'day Cram,

I think Telstra have you by the b@lls on this one as I believe they are the only company who provide a service with a reasonable coverage through their NextG network; check the coverage through their website. It will be replacing CDMA early next year.

Regrettably, I think this is only available on a 'plan'. We have an $80/month plan which gives us 1 gig down/upload at ADSL speeds. We use SKYPE for all our STD/ISD calls whether at home or in the bush. And @ $0.027/min. to fixed lines anywhere, next door or the UK, it is great value; our overall call costs have dropped.

Check with Telstra as the modem is bought outright (around $300) and they may have a prepay system.

Good luck,
Shep