Wireless computer connection

You will find the Next G Plans are called
Plans for Mobile Wireless Broadband and
Plans for Relocatable Wireless Broadband
Telstra Mobile will be from a Next G Mobile phone ..$$$$$
What I would like to know is why are the Mobile plans more expensive than the Modem Plans , both are on Next G,both are at the same speed,550kbps - 3.0Mbps/ up to 384kbps and there is only 1 Next G, ????

Bigpond

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Maxon still make the current crop of modems or USB adaptors, what Telstra/Bigpond don't tell you is you can't network the connection without a "Maxon Ethermax" and they don't sell them either even though the Maxon site says Telstra Shops are retailers. I had to get mine from Maxon direct, very quick delivery.

Shane

Shane, you actually can occasionally connect through ICS but I had a lot of difficulty getting a reliable connection. I actually had Telstra tech tell me on the help system the other day that the Maxon Ethermax wouldn't help either. Hardly Normal, said you couldn't share it with any router. The Draytek is just another that offers you that option. I have a Maxon Ethermax on order right now. Be only too pleased to ditch ISDN access to the net.

On that Telstra "assistant", he would have to have been the most arrogant, ignorant "help desk" guy I have ever spoken with.

John,
I tried and tried using ICS on both XP and Vista to no avail, ended up with ethermax and a hub, couldn't use the draytec router due to the dhcp servers on each fighting to assign ip addresses. Ethermax takes a few minutes to set up and all is good, I have 2 PC's hard wired to hub/switch and a wireless access point also connected to the hub for the laptop, no worries at all so far, laptop and 1 PC running Vista and other PC XP Pro.
I was more annoyed with having to spend another $300 after the $250 for the modem

Shane

Done the same here Shane and just as annoyed as you would be having to purchase additional gear. I found references to being able to reprogram an ASUS WL 500gP on Whirlpool to do the same sharing to no avail. I have had three different firmware packages on it and an IT fellow try to set it up, but it came back with no charge. Been to all the discussion pages and tried to learn more of Linux. That isn't too hard having worked with CPM, DRDos, MSDos and Apple DOS in an earlier life

I guess when I get everything going I will just have the routers without dhcp enabled, just allow the Maxon to do the allocation.

Shane, the next g cards that telstra run now are sierra wireless Full american imports. As telstra wanted something that can handle 2100 ghz.

I highly recommend the series 7 sierra based cards (7.2 Wireless Cards) - they are

- much more stable than the maxon rubbish.
- faster
- much better signal performance (ie places that required an antenna with the maxon cards the sierra cards did not need an antenna)
- they do not lock up on websites like maxon rubbish.
- VOIP works in most places ok with the sierra card.

They cost a bit more - but worth the extra few bucks as you will not be hassled with problems like the maxon cards.

If you want to use Telstra casual instead of bigpond - the bigpond card (cheaper) works with the telstra sim (shift+options gives use the hidden menu - see whirlpool forum)

Saying that - if your in Optus or Vodafone 3G reception areas all the time - they are much cheaper (ie 5gb $39 with vodafone or similar product with virgin using the optus network)

I believe Optus 3G will be standard across the nation by end of 08?
(similar with vodafone)

marq, obviously you don't get very far as Optus and Vodaphone haven't either. I look forward to seeing the competition, but they aren't out of major cities yet for anything for 3G.

If I was in Melbourne frequently, I would have one. The original question was about coverage - COVERAGE of Australia.

Hi Marq,
Like John says Optus doesn't have very good reception here either, to use my Optus mobile phone here at home I would have to go into the back yard to try to get reception - and that is dodgy at best.
I hate Tel$tra with a passion and the experiences I have had over the last 2 months since moving here only confirm/add to the hatred......but there is nothing else with reliable mobile coverage or wireless internet where I am and I need it for my business (self employed) As I am renting I gave bi-directional satellite a brief look but not much difference in cost. Hopefully over the next 12 months while I get my house built things will change and more options will become available. I even gave dail-up a go but the phone line I was connected to was a rim line and could only get max 28k.
Believe me if there was anyone else with a better data allowance than 1 GB for $50 a month I would jump at it especially if it was faster than the 256k I am on at the moment. Yes I know that the 7.2 service will go much faster but at $80 a month for 1 GB can't bring myself to be extorted by that much.

JohnR, ShaneL,

I know that Optus/Vodafone 3G is not outside of the major cities - but these providers are looking at updating all equipment to 3G (including 900MHz range) soon - hopefully by the end of 2008.

As far as reception goes - if optus now works (just) then an external antenna would be required (ie yeti or broomstick) when 3G hits your area - far cheaper than Telstra.

If travelling around Australia or in NT/WA/SA/TAS (in particular) then NextG is the only way to go (I know I have been on the road since Feb 2007). On the road a 1Gb/mth is absolute minimum if using to look things up. I take into account the mobile calls (well manly my partner) to family or to arrange accom using VOIP - 1Gb or 3Gb nextg becomes very cheap.
ie Mobile NextG $0.9/min (say on average with flagfall) = 250m/mth = $225/mth.... VOIP 8c/10c per call (no flagfall) = $4-$5/month
BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

Well, hopefully by the end of 2008, but may be not until 2009 there may be some competition. We pay Telstra too much money at the moment and I will welcome it. I can't hold my breath though. The federal goverment wants us all to have broadband to our homes by 2013 - what a joke.

We are Telstra shareholders, but I am feeling I have lost any positive feeling toward the company. Their customer empathy is shocking, their ethics are worse. I have known a person very high up in the company, but feel his is overwhelmed by the management which has the capacitly damage it significantly. We are being screwed.

Make sure you use a phone with direct external antenna connection.