Wireless broadband or a phone with datapack

Internetwise no.

Cost probably.

Marcel, I'm currently using a 1G data pack (casual, no contract), direct from Samsung A412 to to laptop, in conjunction with an RFI 2195 external antenna.

I haver more reliable internet connection than anyone around me (at King Ash Bay, near Borroloola, NT) who is using a modem. I suspect the difference is in the antenna.

The main difference is the cost - no modem and no contract for the data pack. Just activate and cancel as required.

Norm C

Hi Marcel - for sheer convenience, I have a NEXTG Samsung A411 and an external high-gain antenna. The phone doubles as a broadband modem and I buy data as required. $10 will buy me 20Mbs which is ok for email and a little bit of browsing. It is a simple matter to both top up the pre-paid via BPAY and buy more data via the phone itself. The external antenna setup consists of the antenna and patch lead for the phone - nothing else. There are cheaper alternatives but I like the convenience of this one. If you don't use the data in the time allocation, it is forfeited, and I can check data usage thru myprepaid online. fwiw
cheers
T.Ribb

Go to telstras site and look at the pricing You will find using the phone more expensive than a modem connection

Modem plans here

http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/wireless/plansandoffers/default.jsp

Mobile phone data pack here
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/plans/browsing_packs.html

and here


http://www.telstra.com.au/telstraprepaidplus/latestoffers/plus_packs/browse.htm

Thanks all, it was helpfull.
I guess I'll end up with a phone :)