INTERNET OPTIONS

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The other option is to take advantage of free wifi locations...these are increasing in numbers in the bigger towns...particularly places like McDonalds....

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.