04.Laptop plans
Vodafone
Vodafone launched its mobile broadband service in November 2005 and it’s available for both PC and Mac laptops. You’ll need to buy the Vodafone Mobile Connect card for $299 to access the service.
The coverage areas include Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra metropolitan areas; and Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth airports. Outside of these areas, connection shifts to the Vodafone GPRS network at a speed of up to 56kbps for incoming and outgoing data.
See the table for pricing and plans.
|
Vodafone mobile connect-laptop plans |
| Price / month |
Usage limit |
Speed |
| $29.95 |
100MB |
max 356/64kbps |
| $49.95 |
300MB |
max 356/64kbps |
| $99.95 |
Unlimited (a) |
max 356/64kbps |
| (a) Usage over 1GB per month may be subject to additional charges. |
| Excess uage fee: 0.2 cents per KB or $2.04 per MB |
| Data card: $299 upfront or $16.63 per month over 24 months |
| Early termination/switching fee: no |
| Usage limit includes incoming and outgoing |
| |
The 3 NetConnect mobile broadband plans have two options – connect with a laptop card or use a 3 mobile as a modem to connect to a laptop. Connection is available in most areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Canberra. Outside of these, the service shifts to Telstra’s GPRS network where the speed is 40kbps to download and up to 10kbps to send (upload).
Refer to the table for pricing and plans.
|
3 NetConnect |
| Price/month |
Data usage |
Speed 3 Zone |
Speed GSM/GPRS |
| $29 |
100MB |
384/64kbps |
40 /10kbps |
| $69 |
300MB |
384/64kbps |
|
| $99 |
600MB |
384/64kbps |
|
| $129 |
1GB |
384/64kbps |
|
| Card cost: $199 |
| Excess usage: 30 cents per MB |
| Casual rate is $4 per MB |
| |
The Optus Wireless Connect service was launched at the end of 2005. There are several plans that vary with download limit. You’ll need a PC card to access the service.
There are two types of laptops cards:
- GSM/GPRS for laptops with inbuilt wireless network connectivity;
- GSM/GPRS/WiFi for laptops without inbuilt wireless connectivity.
The cards can be bought up front or on 12 or 24-month payment plans and the cost varies according to how you choose to pay for it. See the table for prices.
Depending on where you roam, you’ll be moved automatically between three networks – WiFi, 3G and GSM – to maintain coverage, although the speed will vary. The PC card monitors network availability.
- Wi-Fi is the preferred connection. It’s typically the fastest, but only available in Hotspots;
- 3G is the next preference. It’s usually available in metropolitan areas;
- GSM is the third option. It’s widely available wherever an Optus GSM mobile phone works.
|
Optus Wireless Connect |
| Price/month |
Download allowance |
Max speed WiFi |
Max speed 3G |
Max speed GSM/GPRS |
| $29.95 |
75MB |
54Mbps |
384kbps |
50kbps |
| $39.95 |
200MB |
54Mbps |
384kbps |
50kbps |
| $79.95 |
500MB |
54Mbps |
384kbps |
50Kbps |
| $129.95 |
1500MB |
54Mbps |
384kbps |
50kbps |
| Excess usage fee: 0.50 cents per MB |
| Fees may apply for early cancellation or switching plans |
| |