Telstra data pack. Where to buy??

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:08

ThreadID: 65484 Views:4476 Replies:6 FollowUps:9

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Warstar

I have just purchased a Samsung A411 cell phone to use as a modem to access the extra G network with my laptop when travelling.

I configured it to work with my browser and email a/c and in doing so chewed up $25 in credit on my prepaid a/c. (So far so bad!)

From reading the forum, I understand that the smart way to do this is to purchase a "data pack" from Telstra, which lasts for 1 month. Apparently one can ring and cancel the pack and be credited with the unused portion?

I visited the local Post Office this morning. They had not heard of a data pack! I was handed a pamphlet which referred to "Plus Packs".
Is this the same thing?
Where or how does one buy a "data" pack?
If one no longer requires the pack, say halfway thru the month, can it be cancelled for credit?
Any other traps of which I should be aware?
Any links to info on the net would be welcomed, 'cause I sure can't find anything meaningful!
In anticipation of instant enlightenment – accept my thanks.

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Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:11

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:11

Ring 125111, they will start it and stop it as you require.

It's a free call.

AnswerID: 346311

Follow Up By: Notso - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:11

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:11

If you stop it during a monthly billing period then the download amount is pro rata'd

FollowupID: 614308

Reply By: Warstar - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:45

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:45

Thanks Not so. I have done that. By the way I would rather have root canal surgery without an injection, than go thru the hoops on 125111!!!
But I did it and only took 22 mins!

AnswerID: 346318

Follow Up By: DesF - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:25

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:25

Hi, I have been using their $10.00 for 150 meg @ month and I find it ample for mail and casual net use.
The down load speed is about 1400 compaired to 300 on my land line at home.
Cheers Des.

FollowupID: 614326

Reply By: TerraFirma - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:54

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:54

Warstar, Data pack definitely, from any Telstra dealer etc etc, from memory $59 for 1Gigabyte or $89 for 5 Gigabyte. If it's only basic web browsing 1GB will be enough. You can check your useage at anytime via the "My Account".

You can cancel the data pack at anytime if you go casual. You will be emailed or SMS once you reach 80% of your monthly allowance.

AnswerID: 346321

Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:00

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:00

Warstar, Here is the link, everything you need to know is here. Next G is dearer than the rest but the only way to go for coverage at the moment until Optus and others get their own networks in place.

http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/nextg/browsing_packs.html

FollowupID: 614317

Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:50

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:50

And for plus packs Prepaid Plus Packs

FollowupID: 614336

Reply By: Warstar - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:28

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:28

Thanks Not so. I have done that. By the way I would rather have root canal surgery without an injection, than go thru the hoops on 125111!!!
But I did it and only took 22 mins!

AnswerID: 346326

Reply By: JohnnyC - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:29

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 13:29

Its a good idea to turn off any automatically updated virus checker, the first time I used it Mcaffee did an update and used 40% of my data allowance, let it update when you can plug in somewhere.

AnswerID: 346328

Follow Up By: Warstar - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 17:54

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 17:54

good one JohnnyC, Thanks.

FollowupID: 614394

Reply By: Danielle T - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 21:11

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 21:11

Just a question, why does telstra say you should pay the mobile as modem rates $59,$89, or $119 if you are using it that way instead of the cheaper Browsing pack $5, $10, or $29??? Could someone who actually uses their phone as a modem explain this as I am completely confused. Thanks all. :)

AnswerID: 346441

Follow Up By: Member - Dogbolter (VIC) - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 22:21

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 22:21

The modem rates give you more bang for your buck. I think if you are on an $89 modem package you get 5Gb per month and then throttle back to 64Kb speed when you exceed your quota for the month. I think if you use the $59 package you get 1Gb then pay extra for any other excess used in excess of the monthly allaowance. These packages are fine if you do heaps of browsing and downloading.
The cheaper browsing packages are only really anygood if you don't do much browsing and only want to check. emails etc. I think $29 will get you 300 Mb and pay $0 .25 Mb for excess amounts, $5 gets you 3 or 4 Mb per month.

I use the data browsing package when I go on holidays and don't do much browsing, works fine when you are in a NextG area.

FollowupID: 614453

Follow Up By: Danielle T - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 22:41

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 22:41

We would just need it for email, online banking etc. Occasional checking of exploroz website (of course). What size do you recommend, and I guess we could upgrade if required. And how doyou actually use your phone as modem? Thanks Dogbolter.

FollowupID: 614457

Follow Up By: Member - Dogbolter (VIC) - Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 23:35

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 at 23:35

I have a Nokia 6120 phone that has usb connection that I plug into my Macbook. Nokia software is installed on my Mac that allows the phone to communicate with the Mac. I set up the mac networking properties to use the phone as a modem and then just connect and open up the browser to check email etc. For my situation a $10 browsing pack was all I needed.

FollowupID: 614472