5G or 4GX Data Device - Options, Bargains? Speeds? Randwick, Syd

nessism on 15/08/2021 - 07:02
Last edited 15/08/2021 - 14:07

I've tried both Vodafone and Optus 4G in a Huawei b525 in my tricky location (just me, in below street flat) and they've both proved slow and unreliable (Felix &/or Vodafone was good until lockdown/congestion hit), and NBN not available.

EDIT: Just realised I haven't tried Telstra 4G/4GX so any experience with that I'm open to as well .

I'm exploring both sim-only & 5G phone plans with Telstra (more coverage) and Optus (cheaper), both of their maps show coverage, yet on address input:
Telstra says yes.
Optus says no (but does show 5G coverage outside my flat, I.e. if I click a metre from my window "5g mobile is available". Wondering if I could perhaps place a device outside close to street, or in a window, or perhaps I'll be "officially" covered soon).

Just wanting advice/experiences with devices to consider my options, and do some sums.
I.e. Are 5G speeds on a mobile viable? Mobile to ethernet adapter to router? Or other, or somesuch?

For download speeds anything dependably >30mbps would be manageable, uploads are actually the priority so i'd like at least the same speed uploads (right now in lockdown w' congestion am getting >1mbps on 4g #dealbreaker, and no NBN here).

I'm assuming a phone would be the best bang for buck (smaller over larger!), though would explore other devices if necessary, what say youse?

Internet

Comments

  • AndyC1 on 15/08/2021 - 09:59
    +2

    Your post did not have enough info in it. To answer the 5G question to ensure that you get what you need the following questions need to be answered as in allot of cases 4G is better then 5G and 5G does not work in allot of cases, even in the Sydney inner west for example or near the Melbourne CBD.

    Are you wanting to use it at a fixed address or do you need to be portable or do you need a roaming service?
    Is cost an issue? Can you spend $200 or $600 or $1000 up front plus $50 to $100 per month?
    How much data do you download per month?
    What speed do you need? Upload and download?
    How far away from the nearest Optus, Vodafone and Telstra tower are you?
    Can you see the nearest Optus, Vodafone and Telstra towers from one of your windows? From this window are you okay to have the modem there?

    • nessism on 15/08/2021 - 12:33

      Thanks I updated post.

      To answer yr queries:

      Are you wanting to use it at a fixed address or do you need to be portable or do you need a roaming service?

      Primarily fixed, portable is a bonus.

      Is cost an issue? Can you spend $200 or $600 or $1000 up front plus $50 to $100 per month?

      Yes, cost is an issue. I could spend ~$200 up front, and have looked at the Telstra 400gb 5g plan - 85 mth, and a dedicated device, Optus plan with a Samsung s20 FE 5g, still exploring options.

      How much data do you download per month?

      I think ~400gb is a good estimate.

      What speed do you need? Upload and download?

      Detailed in post, at least min 30mbps UP/Down.

      How far away from the nearest Optus, Vodafone and Telstra tower are you?
      Can you see the nearest Optus, Vodafone and Telstra towers from one of your windows? From this window are you okay to have the modem there?

      I can't see, yet there's towers on adjacent flats, behind buildings - 1.100mtrs, 2. 300mtrs away, 3. A whatsit on a street pole about 100mtrs directly down street.

  • BLAIL on 16/08/2021 - 01:13
    +1

    I'd suggest getting the Telstra 5G WIFI Pro Modem (Pay it off over 24 months at $25/Month)
    and get the $85/Plan with 400GB 5G Data.

    I don't know what the returns policy would be for Telstra

    My Modem reverts to 4G when there isn't 5G available

    • aidenh37 on 18/08/2021 - 23:42

      Check used market first for BYO modem plans: CeX occasionally have Telstra 5G Pro and Nighthawk M1 in stock, for 5G/4GX.

  • tmcn85 on 31/08/2021 - 15:33

    FYI I ran a speed test on my iPhone at the weekend from the racecourse side of Centennial Park and got 572Mbps down and 50Mbps up.

    • tmcn85 on 31/08/2021 - 15:33

      Vodafone

  • nessism on 31/08/2021 - 18:18

    I gave up on Telstra, as theyre an unbridled shitshow of an organisation.
    Was literally impossible to sign up during lockdown - refused service at store to pickup sim ("customers only") after literally organising - through a Telstra agent - who talked to someone in store, to pickup. Un-fing-believable. 3hrs all up of my life wasted.

    This agent on phone also knew less about their/mobile networks than I did - got into a bloody debate bcoz they tried to correct me for saying "sim swap", until they realised their ignorance was the problem. An hour spent on the phone dealing with their bewilderingly daft systems that don't speak to each other, made even more useless due to lockdown.

    The local Randwick store has been closed far longer than there's been lockdown, filled with dirt and boxes while Vodafone is open and trading only a few feet away.

    They really seem like they're falling apart, or utterly dysfunctional at best.

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