The totally off-topic thread

[Flashback]

There's no such thing as a "free" phone.

I always buy a phone outright, then buy a contract-less sim-only plan that suits the amount of calls/messages/data I need. Over the life of the contract say 12 or 24months, I'm always much better off than if I was locked in to a plan with a phone.

Ditto. But in the UK I get 1200 minutes, 1gb of data and unlimited SMS for 12 quid/month (~$20 AUD).

Whats does $450 of calls mean, 10 minutes at $45 a minute or 100 minutes at $4.50 a minute? What do use the phone for ?

The Woolies mobile is not bad value at $29 for a month and a half including 5Gb of data and $500 of calls , not sure why your looking at Thailand for a Galaxy, Kogan has a S3 for $419, S2 for $329 and my phone, a galaxy S duos for $189.

Don't forget the extra 10% off you get if buying and showing your EDR card.

Ok so your home line bundle doesn't include any phone call, or rather, is charging you for them. Are you getting free calls from your mobile to home? or its included in that vague $450 worth of calls you get each month? Consider a service provider like amaysim (amaysim SIM card - Simple mobile plans, low rates. It's your call.), They use the Optus network and for $40 a month you get pretty much unlimited SMS and calls to anyone in Australia., thats probably better value than you get on your "cap" plan. Particularly if you do use your phone for calls and SMS a lot.

How about Boost Mobile? Uses the Telstra 3G network. $40/month gets you 3GB of data and unlimited calls/txt. I'm with them currently for my Australia visit and it's been working well.

They even have a promo at the moment where buying the first $40 pack (comes with SIM) is only $20, valid till September 15. Bargain and is what I used.
Boost Pre-paid Mobile-Home

 

[JohnK]

Ok so your home line bundle doesn't include any phone call, or rather, is charging you for them. Are you getting free calls from your mobile to home? or its included in that vague $450 worth of calls you get each month? Consider a service provider like amaysim (amaysim SIM card - Simple mobile plans, low rates. It's your call.), They use the Optus network and for $40 a month you get pretty much unlimited SMS and calls to anyone in Australia., thats probably better value than you get on your "cap" plan. Particularly if you do use your phone for calls and SMS a lot.

....

You may even want to consider if at home you'd be better off ditching the bundle, getting just internet through your "phone" line and then using mobile phones for all your calls - these days its a perfectly feasible option.

Thanks. Some useful information.

Home phone has $30 calls/month but it is the 120GB+/month that interests my brother.

My Virgin plan only has free calls to other Virgin mobiles.

I have only spent $30/month the past 2 years apart from some roaming charges overseas and that included Samsung Galaxy S. I do not like using internet on mobile device for more than a few minutes at a time. This post has taken around 10 minutes which is way too long.

 

[docjames]

Can I have a rant about this afl BS of cheering the national anthem. It's the national anthem, not a performance!!! At least the rugby crowds used to be refined enough to not cheer, but its even creeping in there.


.

They are cheering that the match is starting imminently, not the anthem itself.:!:

 

[erkpod]

I do not like using internet on mobile device for more than a few minutes at a time. This post has taken around 10 minutes which is way too long.

Everyone's different of course but I love being able to be online while I'm out & about. I've had a monthly 1gb allowance with Voda with free social networking & I've never gone over.

 

[JohnK]

It would appear the Woolworths prepaid $29 plan only includes $250 worth of calls to any number and $250 worth of calls go other Woolworths or Optus mobiles. Not really suitable.

I am happy with 250MB online access when I am out and about. I need the phone credit.

 

[Buzzard]

I need a phone as the current Samsung Galaxy has had it.

So if we break this down $40 a month for 24 months = $960 including a phone and $450 worth of calls/text a month.

Can I buy a phone, and a contract-less phone plan for less than that cost?

I am currently on a $29 plan (out of contract) with $450 worth of phone calls. If I buy a Samsung Galaxy S2, S3 or S4 in Thailand I do not think I can get it cheaper than $600 outright. So over 2 years it is going to cost $1,320 with current phone plan.

So what do you recommend I do?

You can get an S3 I9305 outright for $419 to $439 from Kogan depending upon the colour you like.
For $40/month you have a choice of several good unlimited plans using Optus 3G or Telstra 4G. Then you have the $29 plan you mentioned. Don't think you can go past the Kogan deal for unlocked value.

*Sorry markis10, answered before I read your post below.

 

[markis10]

It would appear the Woolworths prepaid $29 plan only includes $250 worth of calls to any number and $250 worth of calls go other Woolworths or Optus mobiles. Not really suitable.

I am happy with 250MB online access when I am out and about. I need the phone credit.

JohnK, get your mom an Optus mobile and look at their plans, plenty that offer free optus mobile to mobile calls

 

[JohnK]

Heard at Brisbane Central Station earlier.

Girl with Yankee accent talking to friend/boyfriend. "Your train is departuring at...." :shock:

Tried to find it in dictionary but....

 

[straitman]

Not saying to get rid of the entertainment, but this year, it seems to be a re-hash of old. I actually liked the idea of Meatloaf, and was looking forward to it, but was very disappointed with the "performance". I also enjoyed Lionel Ritchie.

There's a few o/s artists round at finals time - Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Fleetwood Mac. What not take advantage of the situation?

The AFL are trying to get international recognition and advertising sponsors etc. and whilst "Up There Cazaly" is somewhat iconic to those of us old enough to remember when it was first released back in 1979 for the VFL, IMO, its had its day.

I guess for me, it's just a case of "been there, done that" and would prefer to see something new.

Fair enough.

I just took it from your post that you wanted it all gone.

The problem with these things is that no matter what they do a % will love it and a % will hate it.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, get your mom an Optus mobile and look at their plans, plenty that offer free optus mobile to mobile calls

That is a good point.

I bought both my parents a mobile phone each in Thailand in April. That sim card still hasn't made an appearance.

 

[cove]

Departuring and deplaning are ok but what is next?

 

[Mal]

I still have an Aussie phone. Is with optus and is now on a grandfathered $5/month plan. Was lucky to get on it as optus had removed that plan however I found it as still available in their sfoa and pressed the point.

 

[anat0l]

Departuring and deplaning are ok but what is next?

Deplaning is barely OK and I would argue unacceptable. Departuring is wrong and so is detraining!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Deplaning is barely OK and I would argue unacceptable. Departuring is wrong and so is detraining!

I particularly love the over-use of "momentarily" in America. Whats wrong with "Soon" or"Shortly" ?

 

[drron]

Deplaning is in the dictionary,is in common use in the USA and Canada so I find it perfectly acceptable.Naturally I would say that as I often use it in my TRs.:shock:

 

[anat0l]

I particularly love the over-use of "momentarily" in America. Whats wrong with "Soon" or"Shortly" ?

There's little chance those latter words would be seen on an SAT exam :shock:

 

[erkpod]

Departuring and deplaning are ok but what is next?

*looks up & points to the sky*

Deplane! Deplane!

 

[Buzzard]

That is a good point.

I bought both my parents a mobile phone each in Thailand in April. That sim card still hasn't made an appearance.

Optus Connect 4 Less rate plan offers good, honest rates. .23c flagfall, 10c/min call rate, first 10 mins to other Optus mobiles free plus very well price international calls eg Thailand 0.5c/min landline, 3c/min mobile + 23c flagfall.

It's ok for companies to offer hundreds of $$$ call credit for $30 and then charge high call costs but this offer seems transparent.
And as far as I know this offer is on the 4G network. I can check this with my Optus contact.
A lot of carriers use the lesser "wholesale" network, eg Amaysim, Dodo, Boost etc so you don't get 4G.

I speak to my sister in Brissy every week for about 1/2 hour and it costs about $2.00 which is fine by me.

 

[erkpod]

Deplaning is barely OK and I would argue unacceptable. Departuring is wrong and so is detraining!

Nothing at all with detraining! It is so a word!

 

[Princess Fiona]

It must be exam time, have just seen a physician enter my department wearing an impressive bow-tie