Best of both mobile worlds - well amost.

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:04
ThreadID: 68350 Views:2117 Replies:4 FollowUps:3
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3 has great mobile plans but their coverage sucks. But as of last week, 3 users can roam to Telstra's next G where there is no 3 coverage.

Previously I used 3 for around town then had a Telstra prepaid Next G sim. My monthly bill went from around $280 to $79 when I switched to 3 so I was reluctant to go back to Telstra perminantly for the privilage of rural coverage when I travel.

The catches seem to be that you must have a 850mhz capable phone, Nokia 8120 is my choice so I can have an external antenna, and the roaming is only to GSM in the cities where 3 is 'supposed' to have coverage. I read for methat internet speed is limited to about 4MBPS, but that is plenty for me.

So now I basically get Telstra's coverage for a third of the price.

Another option for people looking for country mobile coverage.
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Reply By: Boobook2 - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:07

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:07
oops
"I read for methat internet speed is limited to about 4MBPS, but that is plenty for me."

should read

I read that internet speed is limited to about 4MBPS, but that is plenty for me.

AnswerID: 362243

Reply By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:10

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:10
Be careful that you are not charged an extra fee when your phone accesses the Telstra network. I believe there used to be fee.

My son has 3 but run up a big bill when talking long distance across the telstra network. He had a capped plan but this did not work when non-local calls were involved.

Alan
AnswerID: 362244

Follow Up By: age - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 14:55

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 14:55
All

I have had a 3 wireless internet dongle for 12 months and it also roams to Telstra when out of 3 range - agree with above, check the prices as the costs when using the Telstra network are pretty steep

Cheers

A
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FollowupID: 630012

Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 15:04

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 15:04
They dropped the roaming rate from $2 per meg to 50c with the change, as always though you need to see if it fits your needs.
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FollowupID: 630016

Reply By: chisel - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:11

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 13:11
Yes, could be a good option for those that travel outside of major centresl infrequently and don't need lots of download quota when they do..
It is still relatively expensive to use the internet while roaming onto telstra's network. 50c/MB. (compared to $10 for 150MB for a basic nextg data plan)
AnswerID: 362245

Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 16:00

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009 at 16:00
Be interesting to see your actual bill variation once you leave a "3" area and actually use the phone .. my plan is $49 per mth that gives $250 worth of calls /data AND free 3min calls to a nominated no , be it to a mobile or a fixed line Aus wide ,,, 2.59 sec hang up and dial again , over and over as much as you like and no effect on monthly cost ,,
AnswerID: 362272

Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Thursday, Apr 30, 2009 at 08:54

Thursday, Apr 30, 2009 at 08:54
Axel, it's the "$250 worth of calls " that is the gotcha with mobile companies. The key is to understand how much a call is per minute then how many minutes do you get for the $250.

Telstra had a plan where I got $500 of calls for $89 but They run out a lot more quickly than 3's $400 of calls ( for example). Of course free minutes etc all add up too.

I have to check but I am pretty sure there is no additional charge for voice calls on 3 when roaming, just data.
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FollowupID: 630114

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