Some time ago Apple found it’s self in trouble over a new iPad not being able to connect to the Australian 4G network provided by Telstra.
If you find it a bit confusing Australia has a number of networks but 2 of them the NextG ® and 4G are Telstra products, using frequencies (channels) only provided by Telstra. 4G in Australia does not use some of the frequencies (channels) used in other countries.
If you live in a rural area or remote from major cities or you may travel to these areas then there is a good chance your 3G network phone will not always work.
If you want coverage in these areas then currently the best service to use is Telstra’s NextG ® network this has by far the best coverage (Note as of Feb 2014 the 4G network has now been rolled out to many areas). If you look for the ‘Blue Tick’ when you buy your phone, then this indicates that the phone is designed to work in country areas. If you use one of the other providers then you will have to wait until you visit a town serviced by these other providers.
What about your Tablet, iPad, Netbook or Laptop. Well some of these devices will have access to the 3G (or 4G for new phones) network so your new mobile device will work in towns serviced by the larger providers.
How to get round this issue. Use a 4G Broadband USB or WiFi dongle. I would recommend that you choose a WiFi device that has the capability to connect to multiple devices (Computers, Tablets or iPad). It acts as a mini Wifi Spot allowing you to connect up to a minimum of 5 devices at the same time. I would further recommend the Telstra or Optus 4G WiFi Hot Spot dongle or if you never travel outside the major metro areas, a similar device from the other carriers such as Optus who currently have the next best coverage to Telstra. Note: Most 4G Phones and Broadband Dongles will also work OK on 3G networks.
Why do I recommend this product. Well I travel in the outback with my caravan and I wanted to be able to access the Net when I stopped. Usually at one of the free overnight stops maybe 20km out from the nearest small town. The Elite ® will connect to the Telstra network at these distances with the use of a small external antenna purchased for this device that works in the 800 Mhz band. When in town you may get up to 21 megabits on the newer installed Telstra Towers or around 8 megabits in other areas. Once away from town this will drop off. I was getting around 1 megabit at 25 km with a small external antenna on the roof of the car. Things have changed now 2014 the 4G network has rolled out to many areas and this can give speeds of 20 megabits up & down, although I have found in major cities now the newer phones are on 4G that the speed can be much lower at peak times.
The big plus. The device I recommend is a Wi-Fi broadband modem just like your Home ASDL Wi-Fi Modem Router connection. It will transmit the Wi-Fi signal for a reasonable distance. So with no wires I can sit in my Caravan, Car or shopping mall and place the dongle in a place to get best reception, such as the window of my Caravan or with external antenna on roof of car or caravan. I can now sit at the table with my Netbook, Tablet or iPad. Wi-Fi only models and with no wires surf away.
Added benefit you save around $100 if you buy a Wi-Fi only model which pays for the Dongle and you can use it on many computers! When we get a power cut at home out comes my Acer Iconia A500 Tablet, Netbook or my LG Android Phone and I can have Internet until the power comes back on! When we have an electrical storm then I disconnect my Telephone line to my whole house (I’ve been zapped once cost $2000 damage). I can then watch the weather radar until the storm is clear using my mobile broadband dongle. In time of Bushfire risks the power may be switched off in high fire risk areas. You will be able to follow alerts on the Internet.
I am a casual mobile phone user, using pre-paid the cost of data is very expensive. However with the Telstra dongle it costs me < 1.5 cents per megabyte if you pay for 1 year in advance.
I also use Skype or VOIP on my Netbook and Acer tablet when away rather than use my pre-paid phone as this saves on call costs. I have mobile data inhibited on my Android phone and use the Wi-Fi & dongle to Surf. I now have a Samsung Galaxy 4G Android phone which I also use as a Hot Spot server for my other computers & Tablets.
Conclusions. Before you rush out and buy any Tablet or iPad think about getting a WiFi only model. Then buy a 4G Broadband WiFi dongle as you can share the WiFi connection with 5+ computers! Alternately buy a 4G Phone that can be used as a Hot Spot for WiFI.
NOTE: This is not a sponsored post just my views and experience updated Feb 2014.
Oldtimer