Just Moved House And Cant Get Broadband So Need 4G/3G/Mobile Broadband, Use Approx 30GB mth, cheaper the better. Options?!

I've just moved into a new place and can't get ADSL broadband as theres no phone line, so I need the 4G/3G/Mobile Broadband expensive stuff. Use about 30GB a month. What are my options?? These are the ones I've come up with so far:

Also it looks like Vodafone and Virgin are on the Optus network, if I use my Optus locked 3G mobile broadband device I already have and get their BYO modem option (12GB @ $40 mth to mth) will it work in my Optus device??

Much questions…

UPDATE: Ok so I ended up getting a 20GB/$80 a month deal on a 12 month contract with Optus. Deal is 2x Optus 10GB/$40 a month which includes unlimited calls, texts, 13 no's, etc. Am putting one sim in my phone (porting no) to take advantage of the unlimited calls and the other sim goes in my mobile broadband device. Its this deal - http://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobilephones/SimBYO?SID=con:pos… Seems like a pretty good deal. Have good speeds etc, so think Im happy. Also Id really like to thank everyone for all their help etc re this holy shit I cant get ADSL broadband moment. It was horrible but with OzBargain friends you can succeed lol. Thanks heaps guys :D

Comments

  • any neighbours with open wifi?

    • Yeah na not an option, sux

    • Any neighbours using WEP?

      • -1

        wpa2 can be cracked too with ez

        • +5

          Oh no I wouldnt do that :/

      • Theres 2 other options coming up on wifi but the signals are non existant

        • +2

          If you can get your neighbours to agree to share internet (maybe up their plan and pay them half the bill) and use ethernet over power, I've heard of it working between houses. I've used it between units before.

  • +2

    http://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/home-wireless-broadba…

    This also may be available, new product from Optus. The included sim has to be used in the provided device. 50GB for $70.

    • Yeah thats the same link as scatman00's provided above. Cant get it at my address tho which sux. I believe but dont quote me its the WIMAX stuff like what Vivid Wireless provide. Theres a little bit about it here if you scroll down to 'The technical details' part - http://www.vividwireless.com.au/4g-wireless-broadband/our-te…. Thanks for your input tho :)

  • +1

    How about optus $2 days
    500mb data a day for $2 or add another 500mb for another $2
    for 30gb a month for $120 if you used 1gb every day which.

    also has calls and text but you dont have to use that.
    http://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobile/prepaid/plans#daily-plus

    • Yeah $120's a lot tho. Maybe the deal for $100 for 20GB which includes a Samsung Galaxy Edge Plus is better, I dont know. It would be 30GB tho I guess :/

      • How's the reception at you place for Vodafone,optus and telstra?

        id hate Vodafone and optus for anything but 4G so slow.

        • Using Optus 3G atm with no problems. Have no idea what Vodafone would be like. And I guess Virgin is a reseller for Optus so itll be a bit of a downgrade on the Optus that Im using now, not sure how much worse it would be tho

        • @Lucky13: Virgin uses the exact same network as optus, including 4g plus. Not a downgrade at all.

        • I use Optus 3G at home, its not lighting fast, but it does okay - can even do BF4 gaming without too big of a latency issue (could be better, but playable - like 90ms). I have Telstra 4G as well, much faster but much more expensive so I usually preserve what i have for when I am out and about with my phone unless I want something quick.

          $26 prepaid comes with 5GB data for 45 days to use it.

        • @brezzo: Yeah I forget exactly how it works but Optus as the network provider gets first/best dibs on everything and then they resell their excess thats not used by Optus users to the peasants that buy off them like Virgin, Dodo, and other little leaguers. I imagine Virgin would get reasonable second dibs on the excess as theyre a big/reasonable company, but seriously have you tried Dodo theyre shit omg they must be at the bottom of the tree, like bad. Anyway I imagine Virgin would have to be pretty decent. Have you tried it?

        • @MrFrugalSmith: Hey, so I noticed you mentioned $26 prepaid with 5GB for 45 days. Whos that with Telstra or Optus? And is that mobile or mobile broadband? Thanks :)

        • @Lucky13: That's not true with Virgin, in fact the Optus network can't determine whether a device is Virgin or Optus… It's all sorted out afterwards when billing is done. Please don't make such sweeping statements without checking first.

          And yes, I am a Virgin customer. I haven't tried Dodo but they may have a different arrangement (e.g. maybe no 4g, just 3g network or something).

        • @Lucky13: It is Optus mobile proper - however, I just had a look at the Optus website, and I can't find it for new customers (sorry, I didn't realise). It seems I may have been lucky to snag that deal. It was a legacy "Woolworths Mobile" phone on the optus network, which allows me to keep recharging at $26 with 5GB, but Woolworths dropped the management of it when they signed a new deal to resell Telstra 3G instead, and so it reverted to Optus proper.

      • +2

        You can do the $3.00 for 2GB with Vodafone (one of their prepaid caps)… data rolls over so if you remember to recharge every day, you'll have a good amount of data available. ~$90-$93 a month for ~62 GB per month.

        • Hey thanks Ill look into this one. Also does anyone know if mobile data gets used quicker than mobile broadband data. Cos I swear my Amaysim mobile data gets chewed up super quick, whereas my Optus 3G prepaid that Im using atm (just got a 3GB for $30 prepaid top up until I figure out what Im going to do) seems to last way longer. But thanks Withdr4wn will look into the Vodafone deal ur talking about, sounds alright :)

          Edit: Yeah right so looked into it. You could get a PAYG or something, and then add on 2GB for $7 which last 7 days or what youre saying the 2GB for $3 that lasts 1 day. How do they calculate mobile data tho, just from my experience it seems to disappear quicker than mobile broadband data. Thanks tho this looks like a good option :) http://prepaidplans.com.au/mobile-phone/vodafone-prepaid-pla…

        • @Lucky13:

          I haven't noticed to be totally honest. I believe it's still a KB charge, but given I have the SIM card in a modem - it's always connected so the disconnects shouldn't be charging a full MB block… unless Windows 10 updates were enabled at the time. There are some weird DNS issues though. Using the allocated DNS, PayPal doesn't seem to work. Use Google's DNS and the Vodafone site doesn't seem to work (no big loss there though…).

          If you do the 2GB @ $7.00 data and 2GB @ $3.00 data, your $3.00 data will be used first (first to expire) and leaves your longest expiry until your closest runs out. I've been doing a single daily recharge per day for about 3 months now from a prepaid plus cap ($30 one) and have accumulated 20GB in a pool to use. I find with my usage pattern that I use a few GB during the week, have stockpiled about 10GB to do updates. It kind of works. Just remember to recharge daily or you lose it all!

          Edit: http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/prepaid/add-ons

        • @Withdr4wn: Thanks heaps, but I noticed you mentioned you get disconnects. Is that when you choose to disconnect or it just disconnects when youre using it. I remember when I was using cheaper providers before eg. Dodo etc I got disconnections etc. With Optus tho havent had that problem and have been able to game fine with it too, even on 3G. So kind of in the back of my mind Id like to stay with Optus cos the service seems pretty good, just is a little more expensive, but not as expensive as Telstra which is good. Seems like a pretty good deal tho money wise.

        • @Lucky13:

          Where I live, all providers are as bad as each other. But… using Vodafone in particular where I used to live is flawless compared to the others.

          What I meant by the term disconnect is the idle for 20 minute disconnection. I verified that it's a per KB charge so it's not really relevant. Some of the providers (like Optus a few years back) would charge you for a 1MB block. If over the course of the day you used it 20-30 times, you would at minimum be charged the 20-30 MB (instead of the 1-2MB you may have otherwise used).

        • +1

          @Lucky13:

          Your mobile data is used quicker because you are billed for both up and downstream traffic. Traditionally with adsl the downstream is what is counted and you essentially have unlimited uploads.

        • @knk: Thanks for that. Looks like my Optus mobile broadband is charged for uploads/downloads and so would my Amaysim mobile but it does seem to go through the data quicker. Makes you wonder if theres something in the fine print bonus charges or something but that Amaysim data seems to amaysimly disappear pretty quickly

  • +1

    Vodafone are on there on network. Virgin are on optus network.

    • Thanks for that. Looks like from reading forums I can put a Virgin sim in an Optus mobile broadband device, could get that one

  • Can you get a phone line?

    • No cant get a phone line = sux :(

      • How can you not get a phone line? I thought it is a legal requirement to be able to get one?

        • Nope. Only essential services like water, power and gas. Our new place doesn't have a phone line, but we have fibre internet at least

        • +3

          @nytrojen:

          That's a good trade, I'd give up a phone line for fibre any day.

        • +1

          @KBZ: Oh i wasn't complaining :P

        • +1

          @nytrojen:

          I think if you have fibre it means you can get VOIP and thus can call people. So that might not count?

        • Sarcasm?

          Cos really, everyone's priorities are up the wazoo.

          240V blackout = no fibre for you unless you specced the (optional) backup battery. Who checks the condition of that battery?

          Fibre was great in theory. FTTP is available to us, but it's too much hassle and expense.
          Extra hardware bulk, disappointing speed/dropouts (check WP), exposed-for-vandalism PCDs made of flimsy plastic, new cabling requirements and vulnerability to blackouts really count against it.

          At least the copper network had better security and was self-powering.

        • @mcmonte:

          Not sarcasm.

  • Look up unity wireless.

  • Voda 24 months contract is only $60 for 20gb.

    • Ok have you tried this? What are the speeds like? Hate to sign up to a contract and then find out the speeds are really slow etc. Can you game on this? Sorry for all the questions :)

      • +1

        Vodafone have a 30 day network guarantee for any 12/24 month contract plan - so you can test out the network and decide whether or not it suits you. If you're not happy with how it works in your area, just pay for the days you use and cancel without payout. All the best!

        Source:
        http://www.vodafone.com.au/aboutvodafone/network/network-gua…

        • Oh ok thanks heaps for finding that out. Yeah their 25GB for $90 is ok. So many decisions :)

    • Thanks heaps, just emailed them. Hopefully theyve got something suitable :)

  • +1

    When I was looking into a fixed 3g setup my best option came down to getting a reasonable amount of data for day to day use and another capped / throttled plan.

    Usethe throttled plan to download all day every day, probably throttled to 128 or 256k? Back when I looked a few years ago Iprimus had something suitable.

    If my use case is similar to yours it might be worth looking into.

    • Thanks this sounds like a good idea :)

  • +2

    I suppose Vodafone's 20 GB plan may be the way to go, but out of curiosity, how on earth does a house not have a telephone line??

    • It's a legal right to have a telephone line.
      Telstra has made many short cuts in the past with infrastructure to be able to provide this. Hence why some cabling was never meant to support internet access.

      • Hey thanks guys, I guess Id prefer not to go into it tho :/

  • +1

    I use Virgin Mobile Broadband @12GB for $40. Great speed, average 17mbps.If you currently get good speed on Optus 3G, 4G should be fine. If you want 30Gb date per month it could be expensive.So the Optus $70 for 50GB would be the go.

    • Yeah that Optus deal you mentioned doesnt service my address which sux. But youre on that Virgin deal and it works fine. Noticed youre in Sydney tho, Im in Melbourne, shouldnt be too much of a difference I guess. Are you in the burbs or in live in the city cos if youre in the city you might get better connection over living in the suburbs, but sounds like youve got a great connection. Was thinking about doing this deal and just not gaming or maybe doing some separate deal just to block game or something?? Not sure. Thanks heaps tho, maybe Ill look into getting the Virgin deal then.

  • +1

    How about Optus Home Wireless Broadband. Get 50G for $70 per month + 10G for $10.

    http://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/home-wireless-broadba…

    • Yeah doesnt service my address :(

  • +11

    This whole thing must really = sux :( for you

    • +1

      Yeah na hes taking a look at options tho.

      • +1

        tru dat, sux

  • +2

    Surprised this isn't mentioned yet but stock up on Telstra SIMs from CashRewards for $5 each and use each one up for 6.3GB Onpeak+1.3GB Offpeak data
    effectively $50 for 63GB+13GB, but Telstra is the fastest. Pain in the ass but that's the OzBargain way.

    • Not a permanent solution.

    • Not a bad idea, but I guess like crazycs said its not a permanent solution :(

  • +2

    A friend of mine recently moved house and he had the same issue. Spoke to his landlord and got the phone line installed at landlord's cost. It's worth checking with your agent or landlord first to see if you can get the phone line. Even if your landlord doesn't agree to provide and if you have to be out of pocket couple of hundreds initially to get the phone line it should work cheaper in the long run with unlimited data plans.

    Edit : https://m.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing-and-accommodation/rent…

  • +2

    @Lucky13 - it would help if you explained WHY specifically you are unable to get the phone line installed? What is the problem here? I was in a somewhat similar situation which I eventually resolved, but giving details of my case here would be pointless as it may be completely irrelevant in your case. If you tell us more about why landline can not be installed in your new place?

  • -1

    wtf where do u live that has no internet or phone? middle of the desert?

  • You gotta get Satellite Internet mate, no idea where you moved to but it sounds pretty far from civilization

    • +1

      Actually he probably just moved to a suburb in a major city lol

  • +1

    https://www.bendigobanktelco.com.au/mobile-broadband 20 gig for $80 its 3g/4g on optus

    • Not a bad deal, worth considering, thanks :)

      • yeh I am on a legacy deal, $55 for 15Gb. If I want more data I have a heap of Oz Bargain (Telsta/Amaysim/Vodafone etc) sourced data sims to top up with. Using the Telstra(phonebot) ones @ $2/GB at the moment, if I but extra GB from Bendigo it is $20/GB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        • Ok $2 a GB is great. So what are these Telstra (phonebot) things youre talking about?

        • Last lot I got was this deal (https://www.ozbargain.com.au,/node/219270)picked up four to see me through Christmas. Before that was a cashrewards deal for Telstra, I am using the data and spending the credits on Google Play.

          It's a pain to stuff around with new sims,but the bonus is Google Play credits so you can get some new music while you activate your sims!

          Like yourself I can only get mobile broadband.In my area Telstra is good as it's 4g, the Optus is stuck on 3g which is great and then not so great.

          The $80/$70 Optus deal looks good, looks like the modem comes with two externals aerial ports which is handy.

        • @nrg2010: Ok thanks for that. So you might be the person to ask. If I got this - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/221261 can I get more than one?? Looks like a pretty good deal, its $5 for 5GB on a Telstra starter pack

        • Yeh , haven't got my cashrewards from a few months ago for this one.Make sure you follow the correct Cashrewards procedure ( I think you have to strap a wet cabbage to your head) it's on Oz B somewhere. You need to speak with a Cashrewards guru.

          But heh, $15 is still good, $5 is a killer.

          If you activate the sim on the "freedom plus" you get a bonus 5GB of data

          So all up you get 7.6 GB data for $5/$15 plus $30 of Google Play credit (it was great to get the Telstra 50% off the Google Play 50% this week, got the new Ministry of Sound for $4) .

          Closing date is 26 Jan for the bonus 5gB, so that takes you up to March.

          I am told there is no restriction in the number of sims you can have, you can get them deleted off your record on " Live Chat (or whatever its called). They disappear after 6 months.

          See https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/pre…

          Bubba….That's all I have to say about that,

  • So it's not possible to get a phone line installed? If you wouldn't mind sharing, why'd you move to a place without phone or internet and where in Australia is such a place?

  • +1

    Vodafone had first two months data unlimited when I signed up for a contract a few months ago. Its called "Data workout" I didn't know that I had unlimited mobile data and was very prudent with my usage.

    Have a look if they still do it.

  • +1

    I had this for 7 months - Virgin Mob Broadband: 12GB @ $40 mth
    It was ok, but speeds were usually pretty damn slow, so I doubt you could game with it, but I never tried. I was apparently getting 4g most of the time too.

    • Thanks heaps re Virgin Mob Broadband. I thought it would be slower. Thinking of staying with Optus and getting some kind of a deal with them. Thanks heaps :)

      • Many people on this thread offered great advice/deals, such as the Virgin 12gb/$40 which would give you 4gb more per month for the same price (20% more..), and uses exactly the same network. Something weird going on.. like you were only ever going to get optus from the start… in which case, why bother asking?

        • So with internet in Australia youve got the major carriers Telstra, Optus, Vodafone that resell to smaller providers which is everyone else. If there's any congestion the smaller networks feel it the most through drop outs and slow internet connection. Vodafone is pretty heavily congested anyway even if you go directly through them, leaving you Telstra way too expensive and Optus as your best bet. And if you want to game on it a lot of the smaller networks are just too slow. So thats why I was interested in getting Optus more and was hoping to get a reasonable deal with them, otherwise I guess it was taking my chances with a slower connection and drop outs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_mobile_virt…

        • +1

          @Lucky13: That is true for some reseller networks, but the Virgin mobile is exactly the same - the network cannot distinguish a virgin or optus customer until it is billed. They use the same everything, including APN and authentication, etc. I told you this but you ignored it earlier in the thread…

          Anyway, not me paying for it, and it sounds like you must know best, so I'll leave you to it. :)

        • @brezzo: Other people in this thread had reported slow speeds with Virgin, thats why I opted for Optus

        • @Lucky13: I bet you'd find they would have identical speeds with Optus. I wouldn't judge a whole network by 1 or 2 people's experiences.. Probably in poor Optus coverage areas.

        • @brezzo: It was actually better tho cos I got unlimited calls with it as well

  • Another victim of great developed country Australia. Better sell your house and move.

    • Where to exactly? Everywhere got problems and Australia is by far better than most places. Better work with what you're given in the telecoms section and be happy that everything else is good ;-)

  • +1

    Have you checked if you are in the "Fixed Wireless" NBN coverage area? - http://www.nbnco.com.au/sell-nbn-services/rollout-map.html

    If you can't get a phone line, and are not in an area designated for future fibre roll-out, many places already have wireless NBN wireless tower coverage.

    • Not THAT many places.

      • depends on where you are, around me they have rolled them out basically everywhere that isn't scheduled to get fibre, so seems like a lot to me

    • Thanks for that, not in the coverage area tho :(

  • +1

    if you using wireless make sure to turn off your auto update and your live app,onedrive, cloud etc… Kills your data so fast you dont even notice it untill it gone

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