Internet & Outback

Exploroz Remote Internet comments

hi maxine c
my advice is if you aren't with telstra then before leaving change to telsta based reception as its everywhere the other companies are hit and miss and dont have the broad coverage that telstra has most minesites use telstra
im not connected with the telstra company or engaging in selling their products just a very happy customer who has proved they have the best system in the many arears that i have travelled using optus and telsta based mobile phones side by side
as for the best and lastest eqiupment to have i'm sure others will give that advice in due course
cheers
barry

The best internet reception we get is with our Telstra Blue Tick mobile phone connected to an external antenna (via a patch lead). Also have a Telstra 4g mobile USB modem that we use when we get reception on it, also connected to the antenna. Fairly low cost, but still has its limitations in remote areas. But the phone is better at coverage then the USB modem. Our antenna can be placed anywhere and has a magnetic base, so you can have on the roof of your car, or place it higher up. Kevin

Maxine C

I have Telstra 3G connection at home for my internet. I take the modem whith me with a portable antenna. Where there is a Telstra phone service i have internet at no extra cost.


regards

TDB

Yes Telstra has the most extensive coverage. If you can't get a signal with them the then only option is satellite internet which will cost at least 2 arms and a leg.
Just chill out and enjoy the solitude of no phone and internet.

Hi Maxine,
If you only want email on the internet a sat phone will send and recive emails. Otherwise Telstra is the only answer.
Andy

I used a Bgan system in 2010 in remotes areas for a bit of a test.

At $1000 to hire and almost the same for internet charges, it was a bit pricy however there were not a lot of options once you get out of Telstra range. There may be other options now.

Cheers
Alan.

Telstra. I made a phone call from Lake Wyara at Currawinya NP using Telstra's Next G with an external aerial. Telstra Bill showed I hit the Thargomindah tower

For extra range an external antenna is the go and for even further range a yagi antenna is also available for nextG.

Hi Maxine- We travel to the northwest of WA regularly and I use a Telstra blue tick iPhone, (4 S) pre paid which gives me phone wherever there is reception. My wife's phone is a non blue tick jobbie (HTC Wildfire) and after about 5 k's out of towns, it is useless. I also use a Telstra Wireless 3G modem with my laptop which is ok. I also buy $30 pre paid vouchers for it. In WA, any further north than about Carnarvon and Telstra is it really. I buy $30 vouchers from Coles or Woolworthjs simply because you get the fuel vouchers with them and if you are travelling, any fuel discount is worth getting.

It seems that most people are suggesting Telstra.

My suggestion would be to get a pre-paid modem (unlocked). Then you can use a sim from which ever gives the best service at the time.

Telstra is no better than any other provider...It just happens to have a lot of customers that are also share holders ! Think about it. Most, not all, but most other providers rent Telstra equipment to provide their service.

I live just outside Nowra, a large south coast city. Telstra on mobile, both phone and web is almost a non event. When I lived at Moss Vale, only about 5 years ago, I waited 9 months for Telstra to put an internet signal on my LANDLINE. But that is nothing, my neighbour had been waiting 4 and a half YEARS. I never did get my Telstra internet there as I moved back to the coast. Telstra's given reason was that Moss Vale is considered by them as "remote".

At the and of the day, not enough people have objected to the way these so called "service" providers opperate. Imagine if you went into say a car sales yard and paid for a car and the salesman said 'sorry, even though you have paid for a car, we don't have to provide you with the car but we will keep your money anyway'. Well that is how these "service" providers work. Not only that, but infact YOUR representatives, the Government, have introduced LAWS allowing these companies to take your money and not be under any obligation what so ever to provide any sort of service!!!

When Telstra REFUSES to provide a paid for service at locations like Moss Vale and Nowra outskirts, what hope do you think there is for say...mmm..Shady Camp?

Having been around the block 3 times and thru most deserts I believe that Telstra is the only provider to use.
We have a 4G dongle and a Telstra phone both can be attached by patch lead to our external caravan antenna, we have had signal in most places and yes in the deserts when really remote no coverage unless one has a sat phone. When one knows that one will be really remote then hire a sat phone as a backup.
Just my experience.

.

once you go west of the great divide anything but telstra is useless

Appreciate all the replies. We have had a good coverage with Telsta with moden stick before but were wondering about the sat situation as we have a need to be able to be conacted on out next trip. Guess what everyone is saying, is it is not cost effective.

Hi Maxine

Firstly where are you going, and how long will you be in a remote area? Do you need internet every day?

If you need internet daily and are going remote, you will need Satellite internet. We travel with Telstra Next G with antenna but carry a satellite phone when remote for emergencies. I coped with two or three weeks at maximum without internet when touring. Three weeks when in the Kimberley would have been the longest time.

You are welcome to email me at westnet.com.au if you would like information about satellite services or mobile network coverage.

Motherhen