Internet & Mobile Phone while Travelling?

I have been using a LG TU550 as a next g Phone on a $30.00 plan. On top of this whilst I am travelling I purchase a casual monthly data pack for 29.50 or so which gives me 80 megabytes of data. I have found this plenty for picking up and sending emails with an occasional internet foray for banking or finding something we need.

There are higher priced casual data packs available if you want more data. If you have a current email address you can still access it via the Telstra Data Access Packs.

The mobile cards use the Telstra Next G network the same as the Next G Phone.

The way I see it unless you want a plan for a year or two then the casual data packs through Telstra are a good way to go.

The phone connects to the lap top either via bluetooth or cable, which I prefer.

notso is pretty right with the phone and datapack idea. Don't go over your allowance though without the ability to hock your dentures. If you want regular internet thoiugh get a NextG modem that plugs into your USB but also plugs to yout external antenna. That can be just as valuable to the modem as the phone.

Mark
You can get a USB or Card like this
or you can get the Modem as I have like this


I chose the Modem because the plans are cheaper. Both work on Telstra Next G and I have travelled across Australia and the only place I camped and had no Internet was Nundroo,
The Modem requires a 240v power whick is no problems if you are in Caravan Pks or have a 12v to 240v inverter.

Bigpond Plans Here


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.Doug

I have a next G phone ZTE252 and have used it as a modem.
You get the cord and software with the phone when you buy it.
You just connect to your laptop, and open the software.
This iMHO is the most economical way to have a modem while travelling , if you already have ADSL at home, as you have to only buy the phone and a 2 year $20 or $30 plan
The USB modem is usually 199-299 plus a 2 year contract.
Things to watch'
Buy a big enough amount of data in the data pack to fill your needs.
If you buy within a billing month ( not on the first day)Telstra will pro rata the fee and then add a pro rata amount of data used.
Say you buy 40megs 1/2 way through the month they will charge you $20 instead of $39, but then add 20megs to your usage on day 1. The trick here is that the excess data is at least twice as expensive as the plan data.
So its probably better to buy more than you need. I used 67 megs in 2 weeks , seeing they added 20 megs on at thestart!!!
Its also practically impossible to find out how much you have used on a timely basis. Telstra claim it takes a clear 2 days for the data to wash into your account.
I think the computer software meter is inaccurate as it counts data such as names and addresses it swaps with the Phone each time it connects.
And the "barometer " on the phone Telstar also tells me is inaccurate, but at the end of the day it seemed pretty close.
Regards Philip A

Thanks guys for your feedback, it's good to see what others are doing. I like to be 'armed' with info before approaching the salespeople.

Cheers,

Mark.

Mark,
I have recently got my hands on the new Nokia 6120 classic. They are great. Still waiting on Force to bring out the cradle but apprently it DOES have power, mini-USB & a passive connection to an external aerial. I have found the coverage on the 6120 to be great. I do a lot of driving in remote parts of central west QLD and I have 'modified' a 6021 (old Nokia GSM) cradle so the 6120 will slide into it. It has been getting reliable coverage in areas where I never would have expected and know that the like of the LG TU550's, even in a cradle, can't get service. Nokia certainly is the superior phone to use too.

As for your internet solution, my employer has given me a Telstra PCMCIA 'Turbo Card' which operates on the NextG network. It too has an external aerial connection which simply means another broomstick on the bar. The 6120 can be used as a ADSL modem using a bluetooth or USB link and is capable ot 3.6MBps (like you'd ever get that in Oz) but the PCMCIA are superior in user interface and general operation.

I would HIGHLY recommend the Nokia 6120. I have used the LG's, ZTE's, etc. They are all cr@p.