INTERNET OPTIONS

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 16:51
ThreadID: 67377 Views:2137 Replies:7 FollowUps:7
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Good Afternoon All

It has been along time coming but the Missus and I will head off in about 2 months time. What I was wanting to know is the best and cheapest internet option. Got the laptop just need to hear from experienced tourers on what they found best. Initially we will head north and be just floating around. But I need to maintain comms with home via the internet and family overseas to keep the family updated on our travels.

I would appreciate any tips anyone could share.
Thanks
Rob
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Reply By: Willem - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:07

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:07
Rob

The cheapest option is to go to the local library or council office in country towns and for a small fee...usually only a couple of dollars.... you can log on to the internet and go from there.

Other methods are Wireless or Mobile phone connections and no doubt there will be lots of answers coming in this thread.

Cheers
AnswerID: 357284

Follow Up By: Member - Rob - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:15

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:15
Thanks Willem

Great suggestion!
Rob
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Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:12

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:12
For the cheapest option, don't use Telstra or Bigpond. But if you want it to work outside major cities, Telstra Next G and Bigpond are the only options.

With a Next G phone, you can simply connect it to the laptop via a cable and access the net using Telstra data packs. If you have a suitable phone already, there is no capital outlay involved. You can either get pre paid or post paid plans. For a couple of years we used a 1 G Telstra post paid plan via Samsung A412 phone. No contract, just phone up and activate or disconnect when you wish. Worked great and in some very remote spots - with external antenna.

We now use a Bigpond Gateway modem with wifi and can connect 2 or more laptops (via wifi) at a time. But we are now in the van full time, so the extra expense and contract were worth it.
AnswerID: 357286

Follow Up By: Member - Rob - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:15

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:15
Thanks Norm

Hope to see you out there!
Rob
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Follow Up By: DesF - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009 at 19:30

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009 at 19:30
Hi, we have the same set-up, Nokia 6120 Next G phone and a Data pack from bigpond, I just use the cord as Bluetooth seems to take a bit of fiddling. just open Nokia PC Suite and click connect and you are online in about 10 seconds, we get 150meg for $10.00 for a month,( they just put it on your bill) you can get bigger ones , but we have just been away in the van for 4 weeks and just using it for the mail and weather plus a bit of internet ,, we used about a 100meg ,
my mate has the same set up and he was calling me on Skype ( only voice) . from just about anywhere in QLD NSW, even Undara lava tubes.
Easy as Cheers Des.
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Reply By: chisel - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:26

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:26
As said, if you already have a nextg phone it is easy - just get a data pack for the phone and use it as a modem. $10 per mth will give you 150MB which might well be enough for occasional use through a month. There's no contract involved for the data pack so you can change the amounts up and down each month depending on your usage.
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Follow Up By: Member - Rob - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:16

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:16
Thanks Chisel
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Reply By: Ray - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:45

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:45
I have a nexg phone, a ZTE 165 and while I was away from home base I plugged it into my laptop and dialled up my server but what you have to do is type up all your outgoing e-mails before you go on line. I use mine during "free" time but I can't remember if 1800 nos.are free during this period. I'll have to wait till I get my bill.
The ZTE 165 comes with a disc that you download into your laptop.
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Follow Up By: Member - Rob - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:17

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:17
Thanks Ray
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Reply By: DIO - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:53

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 17:53
Check Dick Smith for some pretty good deals with Wireless Internet. For example $129.00 for pre paid Wireless Modem starting at $15.00 0.5 GB (expiry) 30 days up to $149.00 recharge 12 GB (expiry) 365 days. This is the one that I would recommend. Failing that, you can use Internet Cafes or Public Libraries. Both pretty cheap. Good luck.
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Follow Up By: Member - Rob - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:18

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 18:18
Thanks DIO
Now I will have to weight it up
Rob
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Reply By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 20:38

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 20:38
The other option is to take advantage of free wifi locations...these are increasing in numbers in the bigger towns...particularly places like McDonalds....
AnswerID: 357320

Follow Up By: Ianw - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 20:43

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 20:43
http://freewifi.com.au/technology.htm
http://freewifi.com.au/

I will be travelling shortly and this is what I will use mostly I hope. Maccas wifi can be used from their carpark, I'm told. No Maccas , I have a 3g phone which is very easy to use.

Ian
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Reply By: Tadooch - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 23:40

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 23:40
Rob,
Because I have bigpond broadband at home, when I travel I also have heaps more "wi-fi hotspot options" and also a "dial up for broadband" when I get access to a phone line. They are free to get but have charges to use.
If you have broadband at home check if your providor has options like this.
cheers.
AnswerID: 357340

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