Cheap prepaid mobile on Telstra network

On Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:52:39 +1100, John Henderson wrote:

>> Also, as from early next year, 3 customers will be able to roam onto
>> the Telstra NextG network (they currently roam onto Telstra's 2G GSM
>> network).
>
> I didn't know that.

I've mentioned it here a couple of times in passing, but people always
seem to assume I'm talking about Telstra's investment in Hutchison's
2100Mhz 3G network.

3 customers apparently won't get access to every NextG base; but instead
will be limited to bases in areas also covered by Optus or Vodafone.
Even so, it'll put 3 ahead of its non-Telstra competitors.


> I've just bought a 3 pre-paid broadband kit (12
> months access with 12 GB of data). The Huawei E160G modem is HSDPA/UMTS
> 850/1900/2100 MHz, and I've got mine set to use HSDPA/UMTS only. Do you
> know how the roaming charges will work?

The roaming charges haven't been released yet... there's only been
official remarks that they negotiated a good deal with Telstra and that
the roaming rates will be significantly cheaper than the current $1.65
per MB. Of course, a new rate of $0.50/MB would be significantly cheaper
than the current rate -- but not many would be satisfied with paying
that. It's going to be difficult for 3 to offer NextG roaming data at a
rate comparable to non-roaming data simply because of the large price
differences between the two carriers' standard rates.

Are you certain that the E160g is 850Mhz? I know the Huawei website
suggests that it is, but I've heard anecdotally that the website's
incorrect.

---

› See More: Cheap prepaid mobile on Telstra network

On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:54:01 +0100, Frank Slootweg wrote:

>> I agree with your point about "prepaid" terminology. Southern Cross
>> Mobile doesn't offer traditional prepaid services. Anyone can "prepay"
>> their phone bills, and if I overpay $1,000 on my phone bill it doesn't
>> turn my postpaid mobile into a prepaid mobile.
>>
>> Incidentally, Think Mobile is also a Telstra reseller (GSM only, I
>> believe) and no "traditional prepaid".
>>
>> http://www.thinkmobile.com.au/
>>
>> Also, as from early next year, 3 customers will be able to roam onto
>> the Telstra NextG network (they currently roam onto Telstra's 2G GSM
>> network). 3 offers traditional prepaid services.
>
> Does 3 have another (i.e. other than Telstra) 'home'/default network?
> I.e. does it normally use network X and allow roaming onto Telstra's (2G
> GSM) network, or is Telstra's network the only network it can use? If
> the latter, it would meet the OP's requirements, at least for 2G GSM.

3 has its own 2100Mhz 3G network (which happens to be the same network as
Telstra's 2100Mhz 3G network -- the network is 50/50 jointly owned).

Outside its own network (mainland capital cities, plus the Gold Coast),
customers roam onto Telstra 2G.

Depending on the handset, it may be possible to lock the handset into
using only the Telstra GSM network, but I believe doing so would be in
breach of 3's SFOA. 3 does police it (and removes the ability to set GSM-
only on handsets with 3-branded firmware), and customers with unbranded
firmware have been known to receive letters threatening disconnection for
persistently using GSM-only settings.

Horry wrote:

> The roaming charges haven't been released yet... there's only
> been official remarks that they negotiated a good deal with
> Telstra and that the roaming rates will be significantly
> cheaper than the current $1.65 per MB. Of course, a new rate
> of $0.50/MB would be significantly cheaper than the current
> rate -- but not many would be satisfied with paying that.
> It's going to be difficult for 3 to offer NextG roaming
> data at a rate comparable to non-roaming data simply because
> of the large price differences between the two carriers'
> standard rates.
>
> Are you certain that the E160g is 850Mhz? I know the Huawei
> website suggests that it is, but I've heard anecdotally that
> the website's incorrect.

It seems you're right. My E160G can't see any NextG cells (PLMN
= "50501", and they're thick on the ground here), but can see
2100 MHz cells from all UMTS carriers:


AT+COPS=0,2,,2

OK
AT+COPS=?

+COPS: (2,"3TELSTRA","3TELSTRA","50506",2),(3,"vodafone
AU","voda AU","50503",2),(3,"YES
OPTUS","Optus","50502",2),,(0,1,2,3,4),(0,1,2)

OK


Anyhow, I find that if I lock the E160G to UMTS and PLMN 50506
it stays locked through resets and power down/up cycles. I've
locked it with:


AT+COPS=1,2,"50506",2

OK
AT&W

OK


John

Frank Slootweg wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>> Frank Slootweg wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> Frank Slootweg wrote
>>>>> Artoi <artoi@hotmail.com> wrote

>>>>>> Any suggestion of a prepaid mobile service provider that uses Telstra's network?

>>>>>> I note there are lots of 3rd parties that uses Optus' network but
>>>>>> can't seem to find any on Telstra, and cheap. Looking for a SIM
>>>>>> starter pack for limited time use.

>>>>> Other prepaid mobile service provider's may allow you to *roam
>>>>> onto* Telstra's network, but I doubt that Telstra let's other MSPs
>>>>> *use* their (Telstra's) network as the user's *'home'* network.

>>>> You're just plain wrong.

>>> May I suggest you lookup what the verb [to] "doubt" actually *means*!?

>> I order you to go and **** yourself.

> What a funny and mature response!

Like that or lump it !!!

>>> Anyway, I saw your other response, and:

>>> - as you say, it's GSM-network only, no NextG (and no 3G?), so your "plain" isn't so plain, is it?

>> He didnt say he even wants 3G, ****wit.

> Perhaps you should check your calendar?

Its completely irrelevant to what he wants, ****wit.

> Mine says 2008 and soon will say 2009. So one should assume
> *all* current networks, except when *stated otherwise*.

Wrong, as always.

> And that he might not need 3G is quite probable,

So your **** about NextG is completely irrelevant, ****wit.

> that's why I said "NextG". You *are* aware that "NextG"
> and "3G" are *totally* different, networks don't you?

Pity they arent, ****wit.

>>> and the showstopper:

>>> - AFAICT, the MSP you mention does *not* offer *prepaid*,
>>> at least not in the normal sense, but *pay as you go* with billing
>>> afterwards, i.e. *postpaid*. (Yes, they seem have to have an
>>> "Upfront Payment", but that doesn't make it prepaid.

>> Wrong, as always.

> Again, stamping of little feet *without any (counter) proof*!

How odd that we havent seen a shred of anything even remotely
resembling anything like proof from you, ever, ****wit.

> How pathetic.

Your sig is supposed to be last, with a line with just --- on it in front of it, ****wit.

> Hint: If you say someone is wrong, you *must* say *why/what*.

Wrong, as always.

>>> So: You're just plain wrong.

>> Nope, you are, as always.

> Sorry, you lose.

You get no say what so ever on that or anything else at all, ever, ****wit.

Frank Slootweg wrote...

> In short:
>
> "NextG" is 3G.
> "3G" is 3G.
> "NextG" is *not* "3G".

You didn't write Rumsfeld's speech about "known unknowns" by any chance?

Marts <marts@ymail.com> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg wrote...
>
> > In short:
> >
> > "NextG" is 3G.
> > "3G" is 3G.
> > "NextG" is *not* "3G".
>
> You didn't write Rumsfeld's speech about "known unknowns" by any chance?

Did it make any sense? If so, I didn't write it!