Need mobile Internet for 1 month - Mullaloo, Woodvale, Waikiki ...what do I do?ND

[Guest roymoody]

Hi All

 

After the successful grant of our visa earlier this year we are heading out to Perth on the 22/10 for 3.5 weeks as our "validation visit" and to work out if Oz is really the place to start our new life!

 

I would like to be able to keep in touch with people in the UK during our trip (Email,Facebook, Skype) but we are staying in 3 houses in 3 different areas (Mullaloo near the beach, Woodvale a few miles inland and Waikiki SOR) and unfortunately none of the houses have internet connectivity. I presume I need a sim/dongle or similar that I can use? ... data is probably more important than voicecalls.

 

I have a UK data plan on my iPhone4 and I also have a PAYG data sim with Vodafone UK that I switch between my iPad and laptop dongle ... this gives 3g connectivity and is very cheap.

 

I cannot get my head around the options available in Oz on a short-term basis ... Can anyone point me in the right direction please? (Is there also a form of wireless broadband over mobile airways?) .. coverage also looks flakey in certain areas! I'm aware there may be free wireless in certain places (McD's etc) but it would be nice to Skype our family and friends at home rather than over a Big Mac!

 

I would also like to have a catch up with some on you lovely people once we're over there to see what it's really like living in Oz ... I'll see if I can organise a family Kings Park BBQ or similar a little nearer the time!

 

Thanks

 

Roy

[Guest sunnywa]

You can get a pay as you go plan with Vodafone. bring your toggle with you it might work, and just get a local sim card .

You can get 3GB for around $29.00 valid for 30 days . For $49.00 prepaid you can get 5Gb with a toggle throw in.

Or there are plenty of free wifi spots like Macdonalds, Gloria jeans etc etc

[Guest Guest4575]

As you have an iPhone 4 - you could use this as your modem for your laptop? In which case, the Vodafone shop right there in the airport terminal might be your best bet? I got a pre-pay SIM card from them for $49 in June, this included loads of talk, text and data. If I remmeber correctly, it also included UNLIMITED Facebook, LinkedIn and some others.....

 

And, I agree with Sunny - freebie wifi also a very good idea!

 

Good luck!

 

Ian

 

PS I arrive on the 12th October!

[Guest Har00n]

i was kinda in the same boat, and got a $29 dollar sim from woolworths, which gives you 5GB of data (plus 250 any network minutes, 250 optus to optus minutes)

I used the tethering option in my android and iphone with this, without any problems....

One thing to bear in mind is that you have to have proof of id/address etc when getting a sim here, its not just a case of buy one and register whenever....took about 15 minutes to get regiestered at the till at woolworths... sheesh!

[Guest Guest4575]

Good advice Har00n - thanks!

[flossiepom]

hey there

 

i bought a boost mobile dongle for my laptop for $19 with 2gb data, no questions asked from office works (like staples). i also got a prepaid (payg) sim for my UNLOCKED iphone. if its still locked you willstruggle.

 

one of the best options, is a mifi 'unit' allows you to connect up to 5 devices over its wifi connection that you create with the 3g signal.

 

virgin for my phone is great (optus) and the mobile dongle is optus too

 

hope this helps. happy to answer any other questions..

[Guest bec36]

Hi roymoody

 

We were in the same position as you....we have been in Perth for just over a week now on our "validation visit". We bought our laptop & UK Vodaphone dongle with us but couldn't get it to work so went to Dick Smith & bought a Pre-paid (pay as you go) 'yes' OPTUS dongle for $49. We are staying in Safety Bay, Rockingham & it is working fine for us. (Other places you can buy them is Harvey Norman & any mobile phone shops in the shopping centres)

 

Hope this helps.

 

Becky

[jono007jono]

Cool

nice one Becky read your message and will prob get a dongle when i arrive in April thanks

John

 

 

Hi roymoody

 

We were in the same position as you....we have been in Perth for just over a week now on our "validation visit". We bought our laptop & UK Vodaphone dongle with us but couldn't get it to work so went to Dick Smith & bought a Pre-paid (pay as you go) 'yes' OPTUS dongle for $49. We are staying in Safety Bay, Rockingham & it is working fine for us. (Other places you can buy them is Harvey Norman & any mobile phone shops in the shopping centres)

 

Hope this helps.

 

Becky

[jamesw]

I needed internet for a month and found that Boost Mobile were perfect. Cost $29 for the stick with 2GB of data. Boost operate of the Optus network so coverage in those areas won't be a problem. Please avoid Vodaphone here at all costs!

[jono007jono]

Hi Jamesw

Thanks mate will bare that in mind too

Cheers.Your in Mandurah? Whats your story Bud ,how long there ,work,house,any pets?

Jon

I needed internet for a month and found that Boost Mobile were perfect. Cost $29 for the stick with 2GB of data. Boost operate of the Optus network so coverage in those areas won't be a problem. Please avoid Vodaphone here at all costs!

[jono007jono]

Hi guys.In Perth now,got a Telstra wifi modem and works well.I tried an Optus dongle really bad in Rockingham area.So got a refund.They do prepaid deals here so is same a pay as u go on mobiles. Macdonnalds free wi-fi is rubbish here BUT the free to join library has free PC use for at least an hr or longer if not busy.Oh and they do upto 4 dvds on 1 library card for a month for free.Need them, basic tv is not good !

 

Jon