Computer access,which way to go.

Ross,

You can buy wireless broadband from any of the major players in the market, Optus, Vodaphone, Bigpond, etc.
Many of the ISP's also provide this service.

It's basically a wireless broadband dongle that plugs into the laptop and provided you are in range of a tower, (the same as for a mobile phone) you can connect to the internet.

Some have long term plans and others offer a prepaid service.

Bill.

depending on what you want to use it for you can also use a Next G Mobile phone in exactly the same way.

Tesltra Data packs are reasonable for up to 300 megabytes it is $29.95 I think, 150 megabytes is $10.00 but only good if you use email only and tell all your friends not to send big attachments..

Telstra has the best coverage around Aus.

Kiwis,

Thread 61574

This was a good thread about the difference between data packs and wireless contracts from a few weeks ago.

have fun

Hi Ross and Cushla, sounds like an adventure you are embarking upon. Just been thru the same thing myself with remote access. I think a laptop is the go, and a wireless broadband link too if you want sit in the van access, but it is expensive.

Take a look at this site although for your use their recommendation of "3" isn't the best IO would think, but it will give you and idea of the field and costs involved.

All the best!

Ross
I use Bigpond Wireless, at this time it's the only ISP that gives a service in almost every town and in most cases between , in other words where ever there's Next G mobile phone service there's Wireless Internet, As for other ISP's like Vodafone and Optus , only in the major large cities/towns such as Geraldton / Cairns etc , DoDo ...only in the Capitol cities , Vodafone and Optus are suppose to be doing a major upgrade to thier Broadband Wireless Australia wide in December , I'm not holding my breath but when it happens I will be going to Optus , Bigpond is too expensive for what you get but at this time I have no choice when living in a small town , check the plans and rates for Bigpond .... HERE

.

Thanks for all these already and so quick,this really is an amazing site,keep them coming please.Hey Bonz,love the photo of the gps collection!!. Ross

optus and telstra 3g are offering pre paid broadband with a dongle for about $15. buy youself one of the new asus 10" eee pc 1000H for about $650 at officeworks and keep all your photos and maps on it as well, get a mouse or bluetooth gps and you're set

Ross, if heading outside the main population areas, your ONLY real option is Next G. On the Next G network, you have a choice of Bigpond or Telstra.

With Bigpond, you will need a Next G modem, which is available from Bigpond effectively for 'free', but you have to sign a long term contract. They have a deal at the moment with a 3 year contract - 1st year at half price and $299 rebate on your modem (which is what makes it 'free'.

With Telstra, you don't need a modem. You can use most mobile phones as the modem and you don't need a contract. You just ring up and order a browsing pack to be put on the phone. Install software which comes with your phone on your laptop and connect the phone to the laptop with the data cable that comes with the phone. Very simple and works well. Once you get home, or decide you don't need the service any more, just ring Telstra and cancel. They will credit your account on a pro rata basis for any part month remaining, and the charges simply stop . Want it again in a few months - just ring up and order again.

In remote areas, you may wish to use an external high gain antenna to improve signal - so you need a phone (or modem) that accepts an external antenna.

I use a Samsung A412 phone with a 6.5db high gain antenna. We have an antenna on the vehicle and another on the van. The A412 is the cheapest of the phones suitable for this purpose and is available on a $20 plan from Telstra if that's the way you want to go. Or you can buy an A411 on special somewhere take it to Telstra to get it put on a plan. The A411 is identical to the A412, but is the prepaid model. We actually have one of each (412 is mine, 411 is wife's) - both work fine on broadband.

We have had excellent web and email access in some surprisingly remote locations.

If you are a fairly heavy user, $89 get you 5GB with Telstra. The same price gets you 3GB with Bigpond.

In my view, if you do not need the service on a permanent basis for 3 years, Telstra mobile packs are clearly the best as you only pay when you need the service.

If you want the service on a permanent basis, you have a choice. Depending on the plan you choose, you can get more data for your $ with Telstra. But with Bigpond and a modem, the phone is still available for use while you are on the net.

Hope this helps with your options.

We have a usb air card from Telstra. Its great. The only thing is you have to have a contract with them.

WARNING WARNING
DO NOT USE VODAFONE ROAMING
Last year I used it a little, it only works in the BIG Cities anyway, a bill for over NZ$800.00.
this last trip told myself won't get caught again. Used it very little I thought
NZ$1200.00.
Vodafone contract now cancelled.
Internet is now available in a lot of small town ,cafes, Stores, Shire Libraries etc..... $3.00 - $5.00 an hour, have a yarn with the friendly locals, run over the hour at times and, she'll be right.
I did have cell phone problems with Telecom. I have a global roaming phone with a GSM card that will work in some towns. Eventually found out that the card had been accidentally stopped.
You cannot make a collect call from a Telstra Phone Box to Telecom in NZ (UK, USA no problems !)
I ended up buying the cheapest Telstra prepay phone I could get,it also works as a modem but it chews up the dollars using it for that, but at least you can keep a track of them, and it will work in a lot of small towns.
I would invest in a UHF, used much more in OZ than NZ though City Idiots are the same in both country's. Repeater stations are increasing, I was told in Qld before long almost most main routes will have repeater access. Keeps you in touch with other traffic anyway
Enjoy your travels
She's A Big Country
As a Kiwi and always will be! take my advice,
If you get to Winton check out the true Story of Waltzing Maltilda
Bloody tough blokes those shearers in the Strike days. A lot of Coastal Ozzys would not have clue what they are singing about.
I respect that song now I have found out why and where Lawson wrote it.