Wireless Internet

[Travel Guru]

It's a bit off topic, but just wondering if any of you are currently using Vodafone Wireless Broadband, just after some feedback speed, quality etc.

TG

 

[straitman]

It's a bit off topic, but just wondering if any of you are currently using Vodafone Wireless Broadband, just after some feedback speed, quality etc.

TG

No sorry though I'm currently looking for a new ISP as netspace is really starting to get to me. No ADSL 2+ in my area and all I get is excuses where others can provide the service at a good rate.

 

[GCS]

A colleague recently signed up for Three wireless broadband, and was disappointed that the speed in central Canberra was not that much metter than dial-up.

 

[nlagalle]

A colleague recently signed up for Three wireless broadband, and was disappointed that the speed in central Canberra was not that much metter than dial-up.

I've got Three and it works pretty well. Are you sure your friend is getting good reception?

The best speed and coverage by far is Next G but you are paying through the teeth to use it.

 

[Commuter]

I've currently got Next G and 3.

Next G is pretty expensive compared to 3, as 3 was offering $14.95 / month / 1GB deal when I signed up, whereas Next G costs me $49.95 / month / 200MB (I was on CDMA/EVDO deal before so I got it $10 / month cheaper). Next G works faster and has a better coverage than 3, but as I don't do heavy downloading etc, I don't find the speed difference too severe.

I can't comment on Vodafone as I haven't tried it (although I have noticed a lot of people using it in QP - is there any reason why they'd rather use Vodafone one rather than the QP freebie apart from security or not knowing that there is a freebie one?).

 

[Evan]

I guess maybe people use it because of habit, both that they usually use it elsewhere and also that in the not too distant past the service in QP cost $$

VPN's work fine over the QP/Telstra network so i cant see security being the driver. (I also fail to see the QP/Telstra network being much more un-secure as say the 3/vodafone/optus etc solution)

E

 

[simongr]

I would assume people use their existing vodafone connection in teh QP to save having to log into the QP wifi - and I would also assume that most are on corporate accounts so visibility of the cost would not be there for most users.

 

[pblackm]

I bought an IBM T60 about 1.5 years ago partially because it came with the 3 wireless card and antenna built in, including a vodaphone SIM card. I was disappointed to discover at that time that Adelaide was not covered, as I was doing a project there for two days a week. Also was travelling to both Brisbane and the Gold Coast regularly. So I went with nextG. DEspite everything that we love to hate about a certain large telco, they do have coverage. I get a genuine 3mbs on the train between Concord West and Wynyard station. Have remained connected at those speeds between BNE and Gold Coast whilst being driven along the freeway, and similar speeds in hotels rooms in Perth, Adealide, and at Tarcutta NSW (halfway on the Hume between Melb/Syd), where I have patchy GSM reception. Most of this is VPNing to my office.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I use a Vodafone card and rarely have any issues, but I really only use it in city areas. Main benefit is in hotels when travelling so I don't have to pay thirty bucks a night.

 

[sietes]

I Use a vodafone wireless card. Mainly in capitals and it is pretty good. In nregional areas usually get close to the full 56k from GPRS and it is faster than dialling up from a hotel room.

 

[FrankC]

I have a nextG card (work) and a vodafone card (own).

The nextG card is really expensive, and for some reason, I have no coverage at home (1/2 hour south of Sydney), but good coverage elsewhere. I had no problem with the old CDMA at home, except speed

For the vodafone, I found it not too reliable at night (peak) time, but during the day, it's good. Also it works at home too, so I don't have to get outside just to get a connection. Haven't brought it to the country yet

 

[jblundell]

I've currently got Next G and 3.

Next G is pretty expensive compared to 3, as 3 was offering $14.95 / month / 1GB deal when I signed up, whereas Next G costs me $49.95 / month / 200MB (I was on CDMA/EVDO deal before so I got it $10 / month cheaper). Next G works faster and has a better coverage than 3, but as I don't do heavy downloading etc, I don't find the speed difference too severe.

I can't comment on Vodafone as I haven't tried it (although I have noticed a lot of people using it in QP - is there any reason why they'd rather use Vodafone one rather than the QP freebie apart from security or not knowing that there is a freebie one?).

From JB Melbourne -
Beware Next G when overseas - I was charged $15 per mb when in New Zealand, and the usage measurement system failed grossly (in BigPond's favour, naturally). BigPond's follow-up service with my account queries was (far) less than minimally adequate.

 

[pblackm]

Yes, that reminds me - I was in QP LAX First and could not connect via nextg/roaming. I later saw another guy with the same card as mine, so I went to ask what I was doing wrong. He couldn't connect either.

I agree that nextg is expensive (my plan is $89/mth), but I get the coverage speed and dowlonad limit that I need. Am often receiving/sending CAD drawings whilst on the road and it is nothing to have a 30Mb zip file containing a number of drawings.

 

[markis10]

Be aware that your 3G cards are just like phones, they use a SIM and operate on different bands in different countries, roaming is not good!

For local use I use a NextG card for the last year after upgrading from the old EVDO network. I have an external antenna that makes a huge difference to my coverage (and cost a whopping $19) and I have not yet found a place where I dont have coverage in NT/FNQ where I travel for business in the more remote areas.

It may be expensive but three nights of hotel internet is dearer in any given month, and with the hotel service it does not allow mobile operation between appointments! For $80 a month its a life saver and means I can respond quickly to clients, it also free's up evenings that would be otherwise spent catching up with the days emails via a hotel hard wired service.