Upgrading mobile phone
Submitted: Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:41
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beelzebug
Hi all,
My wife needs a new mobile phone, and as we are going to
Cape York in July, I would like to hear your recommendations for a suitable phone and network.
From what I've read, Telstra has the widest coverage, but do we go 3G or Next G.? Plan or Prepaid?
We are travelling with others, so other practical communications are covered (UHF, etc)
My question is only in regard to the phone.
However what other advantages are there with Next G vs older technology networks?
cheers
Gary
Reply By: ozwasp - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:08
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:08
I'd only use Telstra in the bush.
Don't expect to get reception everywhere, but it will be wherever any other network is plus more.
Nokia phones are generally the easiest to use and strongest. Just get a basic phone and you'll find it'll have the best battery life. I don't think 2G, 3G or next G really matters as they will all work, though 3G/Next G is better for data transmission.
I'd recommend prepaid phones, as you pay as you go. Here is a Telstra link:
Telstra prepaid phones
Goodluck
AnswerID:
357022
Reply By: wicket - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:12
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:12
If you're not after a 3G phone then have a look at the LG KF300. This is a really great phone if you wear reading glasses or fumble with tiny keypad buttons as the font size is adjustable and the buttons are nice and big. quite intuitive to use.
AnswerID:
357023
Follow Up By: wicket - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:11
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:11
We have a samsung A411 for the bush but around the burbs we use the KF300 as it is a much more user friendly phone.
FollowupID:
625113
Reply By: Rossc0 - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:15
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:15
Samsung A412 if on a plan or A411 for prepaid.
Best coverage in remote areas without external aerial.
Do a search of the
forum and you'll find lots of references to them.
Telstra for best overall coverage.
Cheers
Ross
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Rossc0 - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:19
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:19
I noticed from the link above that there does not appear to be an A411 available.
Cheers
Ross
FollowupID:
625105
Follow Up By: Shaker - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:20
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 11:20
x 2 for the Samsung, I tried the LG, Sony Ericssen & Nokia, the Samsung beats them all.
FollowupID:
625106
Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:20
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:20
Gary,
I think you will find you need 3G as it has better range than next G. I use Samsung A561 as it is easy to use and has large numbers and buttons.
Cheers Dave...
AnswerID:
357028
Follow Up By: DesF - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 13:44
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 13:44
Hi, Dave , no offence but I think you have that a--se about, Next G is by far the broadest coverage with 3G basicly being the city coverage, Cheers Des.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Dave(NSW) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:34
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:34
Yeah Des your right,
That's what happens when you type before putting brain into gear.Think I need a Nana nap now LOL.
Cheers Dave...
FollowupID:
625132
Reply By: Member - Matt & Caz H (QLD) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:17
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:17
Hi Gary
Both Matt and I have always had Nokia phones and are really impressed with them, as for coverage we have Telstra 3G for internet and are really happy with it.
Cheers
Caroline
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Matt & Caz H (QLD) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:17
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:17
Sorry I meant Next G not 3G.
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Reply By: Bomber_WA - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:40
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 14:40
If you go onto the Telstra site, any of the Next G phones with a 'green tick' are recommended for rural areas.
You can also buy small antennas for most phones that sit on top of you roof (magnetic). They are only about 15cm tall.
My work phone is a Nokia E51 and I use it in some pretty remote areas. If you are really worried, you can buy a car kit with large antenna which will give you even more coverage.
AnswerID:
357044
Reply By: beelzebug - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 15:18
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 15:18
Thanks to everyone who responded. Great help.
We have always had good service from Nokia phones, so will probably go with one of those on the Telstra Next G network.
AnswerID:
357050
Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:29
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:29
Hi Gary
Check out the Telstra coverage map for Next G. No other providers have rural cover the equivalent of Next G.
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/networks/coverage/state.html
From that link you can click on the map for 3G and GSM - absolutely no cover in the Cape region.
If you want coverage on most of the
Cape York run, you need a Satellite phone - could be shared with the others in your convoy.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
357094
Follow Up By: Axel [ the real one ] - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:44
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:44
Bamaga , Seisa ,
Weipa all have coverage thru telstra mother ,, best phone that is not satellite capable is any of the telstra "blue tick " phones for remote areas.
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:26
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:26
Hi Axel - They'd be the
orange dots along the west side of the big yellow void that is the Cape region on the Telstra Next G coverage map. It is all a big yellow void with GSM. Even with the best Next G mobile and antenna, most of the drive to and from the Cape will have no mobile coverage.
Mh
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:03
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:03
Buy a Nokia fone from her
http://www.uniquemobiles.com.au/
Half the price of Telstra and
mine came in a sealed Telstra box
Get a 6120 for a good phone Cost me $258 when Telstra wanted $529 for the same boxed fone
They are in
Brisbane
Just a satisfied buyer.
AnswerID:
357139
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:23
Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 22:23
Telstra shops charge $249 outright for the 6120 classic if purchase as a phone locked to Telstra (which makes no difference if you are only using the nextG network)
Andrew
FollowupID:
625233
Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 07:11
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 07:11
And the 6120 can take an external antenna with the "force" cradle. It is an inductive connection but works
well.
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625269