I recently bought a laptop with a 3G module and I am considering getting a BYO Sim Plan, currently I use boost for my phone however I planned to use PennyTel- (https://www.pennytel.com.au/penny-sim/data-plans) which uses the Vodaphone Network. Due to price, this is very desirable but I want to know how bad is Vodaphone's network?, Is it not worth even trying?
Thanks
http://www.vodafone.com.au/aboutvodafone/network/checker
Refer to that tool. Optus and Telstra also have one.
Vodafone is excellent if a DC hspa modem is used allowing access to vodas 3G+ network.
Penntel went in to liquidation recently and their assets were bought by My Net Phone, i don't think they are taking newcustomers, best to have a read on whirlpool lots of info there
I found Vodafone's service to be better than what I'm using now (i.e LiveConnected). It depends on cell location.
Your mileage will vary.
Regarding Pennytel - as mattie alluded, others have stepped in to allow maintenance of staff to attend to current customers. No new customer sign-ons at the moment - if ever. Expect plan changes if things properly start up again - with new people in charge - tends to be the way things end up.
After the Kogan/Telstra debacle, I took on a secondary (data-only plan) with Transact, specifically because they used the Vodafone network. Previous data speed and reliability when on Redbull Mobile (also on VF) was as good, if not better, than the brief Kogan/Telstra experience.
It all depends on where you live, and where you tend to travel. Nothing to stop you from buying a $2 sim pack just to check basic signal strength/dropouts in your area. If ok, you can try a prepaid offer before you do anything postpaid, although having said that, Transact for me is a proper no-strings month-to-month arrangement.
Like me, you might get a pleasant surprise. Whatever network upgrades Vodafone has done (plus - maybe equally - losing the best part of a million customers) has worked for me!
If you are in range of vodafone's 850 MHz network (one that was released last and has service guarantee) you should be alright… I've only heard and seen nice things about this new network. Their old network still sucks though (perhaps could have improved due to the drop in customers and also less congestion due to customers moving to the new band)
It all depends where you are, you could always use their service on a trial and see if you like it, I think you can cancel within 15/30 days, not sure how many days it was, i think they will even give you a full refund, not sure, check their policy.
Bad…really bad…
Do a quick search why people left Vodafone in hordes, before Vodafone started rolling out 4G network.
<RANT ALERT>
I am less than 10 kms away CBD inner suburb where they have 4G coverage, but still they would not allow some users such as me to use 4G. Some Vodafone plans will use only 3G which is C**P. I found out that hard way.
I recently got a 4G phone but realised that a google search was taking nearly a minute to load. using VOIP is nearly impossible. GPS and navigation stops intermittently. I got my phone checked. all good. Tried with a borrowed 4G phone. But encountered same issues.
Then contacted Vodafone and they told me that I am not on 4G network and won't be getting it either, as the plan I am on will not get 4G.
Now I don't know if 4G is better with them, but 3G is certainly horrible. I am waiting for a sweet deal with some other provider when I can jump ship.
If they won't let you use 4G then stay away.
Depends on where you are, in my area vodafone gets better service than virgin/optus but I know that at my friends house he doesn't get any reception. So you should probably ask someone who uses vodafone in your area or test it for one month.