PAYG Mobile Broadband in Oz?

[smack]

Hey all,

Does any provider do a PAYG sim that I can use for internet with my 3G card, while over in Oz?
Cheers.

[ariddell]

Pretty much all of the networks do PAYG mobile broadband, Three are generally the best in terms of download limit/cost but their coverage is pretty limited outwith the main metro areas.

For coverage Telstra would be the best bet but they're also the most expensive.

[kbear]

And unlike the UK, the frequencies used for 3G vary for the metro and rural areas. So you may find a device from the UK won’t work for 3G when you are out of the city.

All are UMTS 2100 MHz in Metro. For Voda and Optus you’ll need UMTS 900 MHz and Telstra UMTS 850 MHz compatibility in the rural areas. Check your 3G card.

[smack]

Cheers all. I only really need it when staying in a flat, in the inner city, so I know it has full coverage, and won't have to worry about CDMA. I am pretty sure my datacard is unlocked, as I have used another sim and used it for dialup before.

I probably only need 1 or 2 Gb worth of usage for 2 weeks. Only details I could find on Telco's sites was Virgin, who use Optus. 3 and Optus didn#t have info that I could find.

The other option is using dialup - I probably will get fed up with that in 10 minutes!

[ariddell]

I wouldn't worry about your own modem in that case & just grab one of the starter pack things with a usb modem and 1Gb of data included. Vodafone were doing them for $79 last I looked.

Guaranteed to work on the network it's coming from and no hassle with unlocking etc if it turns out yours isn't unlocked.

[Ozzie Dave]

3G network from Telstra works on different frequencies than all other networks so go Optus or Vodafone (or their resellers) from experiance optus appears to have oversold on its network so can run slower than dialup if there a lots on at that time , if no so many on runs fine. having said that for small amounts their technical service appears far superior. Check that your sim also is unlocked to allow GPRS coverage by default as many are not, you will also need their default logon and password (they are mostly the same and they use the phone no. as the identifier).