Mobile Phones

ExMember148 replied:

I am with vodaphone and love it.  I would never go back to a plan.  Only ever use pre paid again.  I would rather buy a phone outright.  I usually use the $79 cap per month however, if I think it is going to be a slow month, I start with a $49 and can always add another $ 29.  That way you are not tied into a certain amount each month.  Also, when you buy your recharges at Woolies, Big W etc, you get a 10% discount.  So a saving of between $2.90 and $7.90.

Also, not mobile, but I did find out OPTUS were having a nice cap on their local/broadband packages.  I am spewing I am contracted to TELSTRA now, as the OPTUS plan looks really inviting. 

SaucyKath replied:

Oops and I was gunna say stay away from Vodafone.    I bought my son a Vodafone Pre-Paid mobile and the coverage is shocking around where we live.    I'm pretty sure if you go into any of the Vodafone shops though (or maybe just their website) that you would be able to see a full coverage map of some type.

ExMember148 replied:

 @ Kath

No, that's just my opinion of whom I am with.  I must admit the coverage for where I travel is AOK but I have had times when it has just bummed out on me too, like Gatton etc.  I am more for prepaid anything than plans however.  Plus we are all with voda, so it makes sense for my hubby and me and my family to use up the 'free' talk time to each other etc. 

renking replied:

I use to be with vodafone (many moons ago...) - back then the coverage was shocking - I'd loose reception in the middle of the city!! But I'm sure that in the years that have passed they have sorted out most of the coverage issues (this was quite a few years back... when the phones weren't sooo small... I still have the phone & it looks like a brick in comparison to some of the ones you see on the market today! lol)... I've heard they are a lot better now...

I'm with Optus now (on a $49 cap) - I find this suits my needs, coverage is fantastic (haven't had any probs with the phone breaking up - unless it's been at the other end! hehe) - we actually have our home phone, internet & mob's with Optus - they really are soooooo much better than Telstra... at least we're not being double-billed anymore! I can't tell you what a pre-paid is like though, as I've only ever been on contracts... :)

fiona replied:

I used to also be with Vodafone, however my family are in the country and service is Nil with them so I changed to Telstra prepaid and I pay $49 and get $200 credit with $50 bonus and I find this to be really good and naturally Telstra are mostly everywhere with some exceptions of black spots but now I dont have to keep two phones active like I once was lol.

Good luck in your decision in finding something suitable :)

Fiona

partyplans replied:

We are with Vodafone for 2 mobiles.

No worries except reception is bad in some rural areas (and anywhere in our house - but that is the case every mobile phone user that visits our house regardless of provider!... we are in the middle of some sort of black hole / spatial anomoly or something)

aussiemumof3 replied:

Hello again,

Well thanks everyone for your opinions on what sort of mobile to use.  It sounds like Optus will be the one.  That is interesting about the dead zones though.  Our whole house is a dead zone and we thought it was because of our provider (we are both with Telstra) but perhaps not.  The only place that the mobiles work is outside next to the bins (phew!) if you face a certain way, if you turn the other way the caller drops out!

jazzyjools replied:

I am with ACN they just under cut all the major providers and have a huge range of mobile plans.

The minimum contract is for 6 months (unlike other companies who are 24 months) they use the Optus network and provide Optus Yes time 20 mins free from 8pm - 12pm to mobiles on the Optus network as well as 5mins free to other mobile phones on the same ACN account.

I do not pay for local calls on my home phone to many of my family and friends who are also with ACN as it is FREE calling within the local area and for calls interstate to family who are also with ACN cost just 37c, we can talk for as long as we like.  The great thing is we are actually making money on our own phone bills because my husband is a representative and our friends and family are our customers and they all use the phone and all pay their bills.

I also buy my phones outright unlocked as you can get them pretty cheap these days if you read the fine print on the contracts that are offering a FREE phone. It is not FREE at all it is just a gimmick to lock you in.  Always read the fine print, also most phones are only under warranty for 12 months.

I have pm'd you aussiemumof3 regarding this company as I believe they are worth a look

Cheers Julie

001ivy replied:

both my partner and I are with vodafone, and use their caps, I have no problem value wise but a couple of times my partner has gone through the $49 capp within 1 week of getting it and he wasnt using his phone much, so he just rang them up and normally they give him extra credit if he explains what has happened.  And about the reception I dont have anny problems at my house, but there is 1 spot on the way to the gateway and also another on the way to the sunny coast, tthat we both dont get reception.  I think when it comes to phones just  like everything in life, it depends on personal preferences

HandsOn replied:

I am suprised i am the only person to use 3!

I'm on a plan - but recently brought a prepaid simcard for my PP business as i had a "3" phone that was just sitting there, so i had to use a 3 simcard in it.... 3 have got caps as low as $29 a month, and you can get a free phone with that. they also have a $49, $69 and $99 cap depending on how much you require in calls per month.... honestly, i would recommend 3 to anyone!!!!! They dont have prepaid "caps" but if you put $50 on your phone - you get $100 worth of credit, and if you put on $100 - you get $200.... and that credit lasts for up to 60 days. Not just 1 month like other prepaid "cap" style plans do....

They also have awesome reception because if it has no 3 reception, it will then roam on to another carrier - and if that carrier has poor reception, it tries another one... i've never had a dead spot and i've been all in country NSW & QLD.

As for Optus - i had them once and HATED it. Never had reception, had to walk around the house when i was on a call to try and find a spot WITH reception - and i'm in Sydney. I'm not in any area that might have poor reception - i'm in sydney, where you'd think it'd work!!!

Telstra was ok - i just found 3 to have more features at a better price.... and after 12 months, 3 let you upgrade your phone and give you a "loyalty" discount on your old plan (phone) so your only paying for the one phone - not 2.... but you can keep up to date with the latest and greatest phones!!!

Theres my .2c - i'd be interested to know who you do decide to go with, and sorry if my input was a bit too late!!!

love2party replied:

No, no....I also use 3 and highly recommend them....

I also saw some onformation on all the providers and 3 actually had the best value for money cap deals. 

Both my husband abd I are with 3 and it is 3 to 3.  I have never had an issue with reception and I live in a rural area. 

LOVE IT!!!!   Recommend 3!!!! 

aussiemumof3 replied:

Ahh, too many choices, I haven't gone and chosen my phone yet as I keep checking on here every day to see what people are saying.  If 3 have got good reception then I will go with them, because they do have better value rates.  I was only going to go with Optus because they are better known.  What is that saying 'Better the devil you know, then the devil you don't.'  Because it is on a 2 year contract I want to make sure that I get the right phone.

HandsOn replied:

not sure if they still offer it, but 3 used to have a 12month contract if its the 24month thing your worried about - but as i said, after 12 months you also get a free upgrade (usually) so it works out worth it in the end.. :) i also pay $5 a month and am able to use the internet to check my hotmail emails AND my work emails, and reply, etc - just an added bonus. and you can check your phone bill balance on your 3 phone for free in their "internet" section - heaps of great features and its so cheap!!

richaky replied:

Hey there,

I have been with Optus for 2 years on the $49 cap! Although with all the phone calls I make and trust me there are millions each month I have only been over my cap once!! In saying that though I have a really bad time with reception where I live in Brissie!! I am looking at going back to Telstra as soon as my phone contract is up!! (only for the coverage) I would also look at business plans as they can save you money (you will need an ABN for this though)!!

Hope this helps!!

kathymollie replied:

I'm with 3 and love it as it is free to 3.....

Never have a problem with coverage..... never had to ring them for anything...BUT l will call them about the free upgrade after 12 months...as they didnt make me aware of that...

Good luck with your search...just make a decision as the more you ponder and read the more confused you may get....
After all all companies/business' have there good and bad points...
Cheers

HandsOn replied:

     Quote:
Never have a problem with coverage..... never had to ring them for anything...BUT l will call them about the free upgrade after 12 months...as they didnt make me aware of that...
Hi, I don't think 3 advertise the upgrade - but everyone i know has gotten it - i broke one of my phones and was worried i'd have to pay it off to get a new phone - and they said that as i'd been with them over 12 months on that plan, they'd credit that phone payment each month and give me a new phone - so i was paying the same as i was before. Just call and ask - and if you get someone who is unhelpful - either a) ask for the australian team, or b) call back and speak to someone else!!

I have a prepaid simcard for my business but found i'm using it too quickly so I called last night to change to a cap plan - the guy i spoke to didnt exactly understand what i meant and told me to go to ANOTHER carrier. What the?! haha so I am calling back tonight to get it sorted out...

aussiemumof3 replied:

Just to let you all know, I have a new phone.  It is on the $29 cap on the 3 network.  It is a black Nokia 1600 classic.  It is beautiful and best of all I have coverage in my house, I no longer have to stand outside next to the bin! (a good thing as it is raining at the moment).  Thanks everyone for all your help!

HandsOn replied:

YAY! :) congrats. what that phone like as i've been looking at it also??

marina replied:

Gee, I wish i could change my phone plan.

Prior to January 2006 both hubby and I never even owned a mobile phone.  When I started the party plan last january i was without the mobile phone for about 4 months. I always used the home phone.. When i noticed the business was getting busier I just went for telstra $30 per month with $30 free calls and unlimited calls for a nominated hour. i like 10am - 11am everyday.  I thought this is all that I need.. Boy was I wrong!!

My phonebill is about $130 per month and i tried changing it but too many fees and penalties. I am stuck on this plan until next year...    

aussiemumof3 replied:

Hi Handson,

It is a great phone, at the moment all I use it for is to ring people and answer calls, but my children are having great fun taking pictures of each other!  It has lots of great features most of which I will not use, but best of all it only costs me $30 a month!