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Old 23-08-2016, 06:53   #1
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Mobile networks -SE Australia

Which network has the best coverage when cruising SE Australia?

I have a Vodafone prepaid SIM at the moment and their coverage map shows no service to the Bass Strait island and very little of the east or west coasts of Tassie. Sydney to Melboure appears to be ok, but I'm guessing even then I'm sure there will be black spots.

I'm guessing Telstra has the best coverage, is that correct? Assuming Telstra is best, are their any small phone companies that buy their network access from them?


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Old 23-08-2016, 20:13   #2
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Hoppy, you are quite correct that Telstra has by far the best coastal coverage for us yotties. We've recently changed from their kinda rapacious prepaid data service to a Boost mobile coverage. Boost uses the Telstra network and is considerably less expensive for our usage. So far, so good (just entered our third month).

Good luck in figuring out all the fine print and doing a realistic apple to apple cost comparison!

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Old 23-08-2016, 21:58   #3
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

It's a shame that Vodafone has pathetic Bass Strait & Tassie east coast coverage as they have a good "plan" that looks like I can share the data between my GF & my phones and the MIFI I use onboard. I'm sure VF will probably be ok enough when I sail from Newcastle to Melbourne, but I don't want to have to change networks or by prepaid 12 months later if I cruise Bass Strait.

I need a new iPhone as my iPhone6+ recently joined me for an unplanned swim but no way am I buying it on a contract.

It will be interesting to see if I can even get a SIM only plan given that I've been out of the country 18 years and have no job or any income I know in Sweden it would not have been possible.

Not impressed by Telstra locking you in for 12 months on a SIM only plan This combined with the data sharing at VF makes me think I should go with VF and get a prepaid Telstra when I cruise Bass Strait
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Old 24-08-2016, 00:14   #4
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Jim, what sort of a plan do you have with Boost, I have been stuck with Telstra prepaid for years now, only because they give the best coverage, and have been thinking of getting a second phone just for making calls with the number blocked.
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Old 24-08-2016, 00:32   #5
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Quote:
Originally Posted by RaymondR View Post
Jim, what sort of a plan do you have with Boost, I have been stuck with Telstra prepaid for years now, only because they give the best coverage, and have been thinking of getting a second phone just for making calls with the number blocked.
Our deal with Boost is 40 AUD/mo for 5 gigabytes plus 1 extra gigabyte each weekend, plus unlimited calls and text in Australia and unlimited calls/texts to 10 other countries, including USA, NZ, UK and some others of little interest to me. They have a couple of other deals, see their site.

We broke down and bought (from them) an Alcatel smart phone for 79 AUD and are using it as a local hotspot on the boat. Seems to work pretty well... only criticism is hard to read screen in full sunlight. All in all, a way better deal than 180 Aud for 12 gigs from Telstra, no phone, so had to maintain a separate phone prepaid.

Cheers,

Jim
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Old 24-08-2016, 02:26   #6
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

When travelling in Oz I keep a Telstra Prepaid SIM on hand (actually in my phone cover in its credit card sized frame) and use a Vodafone SIM for my day to day. Price wise it works out well. If coverage is a problem where I am at the time, I switch to the Telstra SIM and top it up.

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Old 24-08-2016, 03:04   #7
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Tried them all at one time or another but Telstra really is the only one with coverage that works trick is as you say to find someone suitable to you that uses the Telstra network.We using an Aldi simm for three years that operates on the Telstra network and mainly for data on our IPAd only place coverage is dicky in coastal QLD is around the Island Head Creek area where it is very patchy but not much else works there at all without an external aerial.
Also have a Telstra Simplicity plan on an IPhone for calls.
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Old 24-08-2016, 03:20   #8
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Hi Hoppy,

1. Telstra - Either Boost or Aldi both ok depending on the data you want

2 Optus network - Amaysim is cheap and works to about 95 % of telstra

3 Vodafone - several small providers but coverage at sea is not good

Buy a phone outright via EB Games or someone that sells the latest version with "fully Reconditioned" they give nearly the same warranty as a new phone

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Old 24-08-2016, 03:22   #9
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Boost mobile is the go and are the only Telstra full service 4g carrier. Just bring your own phone.

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Old 24-08-2016, 04:37   #10
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Another vote for Telstra network, whether with Telstra or Boost (Aldi does not get the full coverage unless it has changed recently).

For internet, I recommend you use a dedicated wifi modem rather than using a cellphone as a hotspot. My 4G Telstra modem (Huawei) has far better reception than any of the cellphones I have tried. Some models also have the ability to accept an external antenna.

In some locations, hoisting the modem a few metres up the mast can make the difference between no reception and good reception.
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Old 24-08-2016, 04:43   #11
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Telstra have prepaid plans.$30 month with (from memory) 3 gig download plus 3 gig off peak download.
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Old 24-08-2016, 04:46   #12
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Actually 1.5gb and 1.5gb off peak
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Old 24-08-2016, 14:03   #13
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

$2 prepaid sim from coles checkout or post office will get you out of the drum and smoke signal communication / can't use flags in the south east wind blows them out of your hands
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Old 24-08-2016, 14:40   #14
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Re: Mobile networks -SE Australia

Reading all this with great interest. On recent Melb to Broken Bay trip Optus hopeless except if close to major centres. Have been going to try Telstra so great to hear some positive feedback. Hoppy my idea of Base Strait is great place to get out of without getting to wet. Have fun.
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Old 24-08-2016, 15:01   #15
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We've been with Boost for 2 years & can thoroughly recommend them. They use the Telstra 4G network, which has the most coverage in Oz. We use it for our main phone service and all our internet, all for $40/mth.
Definitely the cheapest & best option we've found for remote areas.
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