Buying a dongle for eventual Telstra broadband mobile service?

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  [Deactivated] on 19/07/2014 - 10:30

  Most Telstra dongles are made by either Huawei or ZTE, usually.
  850mhz is their 3G band, and as far as I know… they don't use 2100mhz (that's for Optus).

  It'd be worth checking if there's 4G at the mines, if not then there's probably no point getting a 4G hotspot or dongle. For 3G ones I often see Vodafone users using this: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Huawei-E585-Unlocked-Wireless…

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    SaberX on 21/07/2014 - 04:10

    TRied to check the telstra coverage maps and could not quite tell on the shading but it looks like it might be 3G…. the 4G would help I guess when at the airport terminals before departure I assume? And as a backup anyway around the CBD when I'm back - which I thought would be pretty nifty?

    Is that Huawei E585 4G enabled, coudln't quite tell per that aliexpress listing.

    I don't know too much about frequencies but i assume worldwide the following are compatible with Aus frequencies as all MHZ bandwiths would be the same internationally in terms of devices working in aus?

    3G UMTS/HSUPA/HSDPA: 850/900/2100MHz
    GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900MHz

    (taken from the aliexpress link page).

    The Telstra guy was the one who mentioned the telstra network used 850/2100? he seemed to indicate that going on plan uses more of the newer, faster/better 850mhz network which was 3G than prepaid which tended to default more to 2100 MHZ?

    I'm abit confused what bandwith "4G" is, or if it is just a capability of a device over the same 850/2100 MHZ bandwith???

    P.S. I assume if you use a Huawei or ZTE /3rd party manufacturer, a telstra broadband sim will work regardless, as long as the MHz/bandwith matches the telstra network???

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      [Deactivated] on 21/07/2014 - 10:10

      4G would help I guess when at the airport terminals

      Yes, most of the time.

      Is that Huawei E585 4G enabled

      Don't think so.

      The Telstra guy was the one who mentioned the telstra network used 850/2100

      Maybe there's some inside knowledge that I don't know, I'm not particularly sure. According to their webpage (https://go.telstra.com.au/helpandsupport/-/telstra-pre-paid-…) it looks like they might have deployed a few 2100MHz ones to boost congested 850MHz.

      but 2100MHz or not, 90% of the time if you don't see the specs you will get a hotspot/dongle with 2100MHz anyway, as it's a lot more widely used worldwide compared to 850MHz, so it's more important to see if 850MHz is supported.

      I'm abit confused what bandwith "4G" is

      I think the 4G we are discussing here is 4G LTE (3G's next generation), so nothing to do with capability.

      If you are going with 4G, one 4G hotspot I know is the Sierra AirCard 760S. Cheapest I can find, it's even Tesltra branded: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Sierra-AirCard-760S-Telstra-B…

      This has all the 3G bands you need (All telcos) and almost all the 4G bands you need (lacking Optus 4G+ 2300MHz), and it depends on how far out of the city you are going to work at… it might even be worth checking if Optus 4G or Voda 4G is available there.

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        SaberX on 22/07/2014 - 02:16

        Hmm well in your opinion is 4G really necessary over 3G at airports and regionally/out and about? Apart from downloading items 3G would load your standard web pages, resources etc fast enough that it wouldn't be noticeable right (compared to say back when broadband/adsl 2 would get shaped to dialup 256k connections when exceeding your data quota). Like browsing, and geting your everyday surfing would not notice a difference? Or would it?

        Unsure about the 2100 mhz in that case but if as you said most devices support 2100 anyway I'll keep the 850mhz tip in mind.

        Yeah by 4G i'm referring to how all the mobiles and plans now are quoted as "4G LTE" enabled - is this therefore an only slightly faster 3G (next generation)? If so what I meant by capability is I thought it has its own seperate bandwith that I need to look for a compatible device for? Or does 4G LTE technically use 850mhz too and I'm getting confused with how these things work?

        As mobiles we've been advised that only Telstra works (employment docs) I'll go off that optus and voda doesn't either. From what your saying with the Sierra Aircard it services multiple providers/carriers - so I can port it with me when I leave Telstra? If I buy a "Telstra" branded dongle, they can't be unlocked to run a hotspot or direct usb broadband from say an amaysim card etc when i eventually, one year return to the CBD for work?

        Thanks for the Sierra Aircard recommendation… what is your advice on just picking one? WIth all this choice I'm just not sure what is the most reliable and best thing to go: usb vs wifi (although one that can do both lke i said would be great). Ideally I have wifi/internet in my accomodation down there so this internet dongles woudl be for the airport, airport coming back, the odd weekend out and about in the CBD when I'm home, and if I can supplement my mobile phone's data usage with wifi from a dongle that'd be great as Telstra's mobile plans don't give alot of data to begin with anyway?

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        SaberX on 22/07/2014 - 02:18

        Would you mind commenting on whether a wifi hotspot mobile broadband device would be more faster speeds and reliable (drop outs) versus a directly plugged in usb device?

        The hotspots look so much bigger physically and therefore i preconceive that they are almost 'built for more grunt/quality' but I assume the rechargeable battery is what makes it so much bigger, rather than the parts being bigger/better quality than their non-portfable wifi hotspot cousins (e.g the direct usb powered devices).

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  assetcollector on 19/07/2014 - 13:01

  I bought a Telstra 3G USB+Wifi for $29 from DSE, but sometimes on special for $10 or $15.
  I also use a Huawei E585, which has a battery, but I usually leave it on a charger near a window.

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    SaberX on 21/07/2014 - 04:13

    Thanks for your reply. How come you use both? the ones in the Telstra shop are the 4G USB + Wifi but I've been seeing DSE selling for around that sub $30 range the 3G version. Can I ask - as the Telstra guy said does it only work when plugged into the laptop's USB? Could you technically plug it into any usb power source e.g. a power bank which has a usb out port, and the dongle will work?

    You seem to use the Huawei E585 too, is there a reason you chose this as the first responder poster above also recommended this? or is this a real popular/reliable model that everyone uses? Looks like it has a removable battery, so can be replaced as it wears down with charges over time?

    My big question though is do you find the pocket wifi devices drop out or are slower than a directly connected usb broadband dongle? Or is that a myth that the pocket wifis stuff up more and drop out more than directly connected usb versions?

    Can I only get Huawei broadband dongles or pocket wifis online , no real retailers sell them for a decent price in aus, specifically WA do they?

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      assetcollector on 21/07/2014 - 10:56

      I have had the E585 for some time. I bought the USB+Wifi to try Telstra on a visit to country WA. Marginally better. The USB+Wifi needs power, so either plug into laptop, or it comes with a power pack so you can put it anywhere with a good signal and connect by wifi.
      E585 was popular on OzBargain a few years ago as cheap and easily unlocked. I have no idea on battery life as mine is always connected to mains.
      I find the wifi better than USB dongle, maybe because my reception is poor (regional NSW) and device is better away from computer. I reset the E585 maybe once a week.
      The supermarkets sell wifi devices, sometimes on special, also try DSE, JB and BigW.
      Most of the devices are locked, so you need to find a plan you are comfortable with. I have an Amaysim 10GB 365 day at the moment that was suggested by OzB. As it is Optus, it is in the unlocked E585.

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        SaberX on 22/07/2014 - 02:29

        Ahhhh that's good to hear your thoughts on both devices. So by marginally better (3G USB + wifi device) you mean the speed? Or the connection quality (e.g. pages not dropping out or internet being lost)? Interesting, so the 3G USB + Wifi dongles actually have a power pack (you mean a power cord/ac adaptor setup , or liek I'm thinking of using - an external battery power pack like what I'd use to charge my phone, although it has a usb port so I'm thinking you could plug the 3g USB + Wifi device in and it'd work?? Please correct me if I'm wrong)?

        Ahhh so the E585 is an oldie. But reliable it seems if popular on ozb? When you say easily unlocked can telstra bought broadband devices therefore be easily unlocked? or you mean it was easy to buy E585's OEM's online (unbranded telstras) that were unlocked and avialable to all network carriers?

        THanks fort he advice, i'll canvas the DSE, JB and BigW and supermarkets for devices - namely Telstra. Although surely they wouldn't be cheaper than the actual Telstra store unless there's a sale/special, which dick smith appears to do at times?

        So if I went for a cheap 3G USB + Wifi to test my speeds and telstra prior to buying a more expensive 4G device or another device, there is no way Telstra lets you unlock their dongles for use with other carriers, even if you stick with them for awhile or reload a certain amount?

        Otherwise are unlocked, non-carrier branded devices available or sold in retailers within perth or australia in general? Or can these only be bought online?

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        SaberX on 22/07/2014 - 02:32

        I take it that means that even voda, optus, dodo etc devices i see for cheap e.g. $15-40 in catologues will be locked and unable to add in a telstra sim?

        Does price play any factor int he internet quality and speed/signal strenghts etc? As I notice if you get these cheap 3G USB + Wifi sticks for under $30, there are comparatively more expensive $40, $99, $120+ telstra devices on sale . Yes some are 4G but surely just being able to connect 10 instead of 5 devices doesn't add a price tag of $140+? I'm just taking the mantra that you get what you pay for?

        Or does a $20 3G USB + Wifi stick do just as good a quality job as any other manufactured "3G" usb or wifi device that sells for more?

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        SaberX on 23/07/2014 - 02:48

        Sorry to spam but could you please provide further detail on the 3G usb + wifi option? When not connected to a laptop directly by usb does the wifi option only connect the laptop wirelessly? Or can the wifi option or even whilst it is plugged into the laptop support hotspotting to other devices e.g. ur phone whilst ur laptop is connected.

        It just occurred that the wifi in the "usb + wifi" part may be referring to only wifi for one device I.e the laptop. In which case the case argument for buying the mifi devices may be smart.

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        assetcollector on 23/07/2014 - 09:26

        @SaberX:
        I haven't tried all the combinations that you suggest.
        The box says 5 wifi devices for USB+Wifi.
        Target have a Telstra Elite 5 wifi with 1GB/30 days for $29.
        BigW have a Telstra 3G 1GB/30 days for $15 that looks to be USB only from tomorrow.
        Both from NSW catalogs.

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        assetcollector on 23/07/2014 - 09:44

        @SaberX:

        As you need Telstra, I would get a Telstra device.
        Unlocking adds complexity in setting up the connection.
        4G seems to add to the device price and could add to your usage cost too.

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  SaberX on 23/07/2014 - 02:01

  Has anyone with the Telstra mifi or usb modems unlocked them before successfuly without paying an arm and leg through telstra? I saw a DC-unlocker website out there while reading a review and was curious…. that perhaps third parties did it for free or a fraction of a price? Or is it not possible with Telstra modems?

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    the4thzodiac on 13/09/2014 - 14:23

    Hey SaberX,

    Not sure if this is still relevant for you: I have used DC-unlocker before and they've been good (Euros 5-7 per unlock). Some of the older models had options for free (blogs outlining what needs to be done), but that can be hit and miss based on the model and revision.

    Also, I've oodles of credit on my Telstra pre-paid mobile broadband which I won't be needing hencforth and have been meaning to offload (Telstra suggested I transfer to someone else). I'll direct message you if you want to discuss more. Happy to throw in the Wifi Device as well (unlocked Huawei E585 v2).

    Cheers,
    t4z