Opinions On Internet And Mobile Providers?

[Ikyoto]

[url="http://www.three.com.au/"]http://www.three.com.au/[/url]



What's the concenssious on their prices and service. While I'm there building up a nest for the family, I will need a local mobile and internet access to stay in touch wiht the family. I'm looking for the best prices and connection.

[POWERZONE]

The internet deal seems cheap compared to who I'm with - which is optarse <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> but I've had much trouble with "3" in the past about hidden extra charges with their mobile phone service and as a result I went elsewhere. Many of my friends had the same issue.



This was about 2 years ago so I guess it's possible their customer relations have improved since then.

[Ikyoto]

Thank you. I'll check the other company and see if I can get some feedback from their customers as well.

[glen]

A good place to check for info on this topic would be the whirl pool forums.



Plenty of tech geeks hanging out there! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Ikyoto]

Got a link? I'm a geek, but lazy when I can be. <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Edit: Never mind. Found it.

[glen]

yeah its pretty easy to google up. sorry i was lazy as well <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[mr.bitey]

Virgin's beancounter (10c / 30 sec calls, and 10c sms's) is pretty hard to beat.... I ran a heap of the caps and prepaids up in some spreadsheets and beancounter looked pretty good for my wifes usage! - saving a truckload each month



Cheers,

Bitey

[mr.bitey]

Oh and optus suck <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> had to take them to the Telco ombudsman over an 'issue' they were unwilling to 'assist' with... needless to say, they were total suckups once the heavy-hitters got involved.. <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Cheers,

Bitey

[glen]

I use optus internet and it is pretty good <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I have a virgin mobile...shame about the battery on its way out!

[mr.bitey]

I'll qualify my remarks to optus mobile customer service sucks <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Cheers,

Bitey

[POWERZONE]

Had a lot of trouble with "optarse" when I first connected the internet.



Took them 6 weeks to get it started, another 6 weeks to make the service reliable, and about another 2 weeks to credit my account after charging me for internet I couldn't use.



Only stayed with them because they gave me 6 months free internet after I gave them some TiggyFterror <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



It's been OK since but I still get heaps of drop-outs and it seems everyone else is cheaper.

[mr.bitey]

[quote name='POWERZONE' post='6140' date='Jul 31 2008, 12:38 AM']It's been OK since but I still get heaps of drop-outs and it seems everyone else is cheaper.[/quote]



That happens as soon as you sign up for anything :-) - the longer you sign for the more likely it is too!!



Cheers,

Luuuccckkkkyyyyyyyyyyy!

[POWERZONE]

I think the problem is in the line itself, it has a lot of "noise" which is sometimes loud enough to drop the internet. If anything, it's probably more of a Telstra issue at the exchange.



Overall, 2 years with the first 6 months free means I'm pretty lucky too.



After that I might look at those little "plug-in" usb wireless modems. They seems to be getting cheaper.

[Ikyoto]

This is the exact kind of feedback people need to know. Price may be one factor, but staying connected when needed is a huge factor. I'll be using this as my primary means of communication with my family for 6 to 12 months and I will not put up with poor service.



Very helpful reading thus far. Glad I found this place.

[POWERZONE]

You're welcome <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



I actually believe the usb wireless modem deals are fast becoming the best available option because you can simply plug the modem into any computer and you're away. The cheapest I saw was at "Crazy Johns" and I think it was around $39/5gb per month.



Then you just need a phone, the Virgin's beancounter deal in mr.bitey's post seems pretty good. <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

[glen]

i should have mentioned i have optus cable. i think it is more reliable than adsl. i only ever had 1 day of outage in the last 3 years. but yes maybe there are cheaper ones. tpg sounds cheap.