Hi,
Can anyone share their experiences with the Telstra AIR national wifi network?
Im particularly interested in how easy it is to connect to the network and whether it requires an App on your Android/IOS device?
With some early teens in the family, i think this might work well, and cut down their data usage, never the less im keen to see what this community has experienced?
Thanks!
I have used it and agree with greenpossum, not enough hotspots. I used it when I visited relatives and logged in so I was using my own data< I could have, however, used their wifi data.
You have to log in, so your kids would need your Telstra account number and password. Not sure how this would limit their data useage unless it's because they cant find a hotspot.
It all seems to be hype at the moment, I wouldn't rely on it at all.
It all seems to be hype at the moment, I wouldn't rely on it at all.
Tried a couple of phone Hotspots here on the Sunshine Coast and can agree with that comment.
It uses you home allowance…have not tried it out…a good idea if you work in the city for lunchtime entertainment though
You can get it free if you have a Telstra mobile phone as well at the moment. You don't need an app, you just connect to the wireless network in Settings and then it brings in a login screen - you use your account name and password. The hotspots are on the public Telephone roofs and the range is a bit limited so it does have limited application.
I've used it a few times, its so slow.
I can't login to it with iPhone 4S iOS 8.3
Where is the limitation?
I can see the SSID but never get a login page.
On an android you could have changed the default browser and it would work. For me both default and chrome failed for a prompt so I changed to Dolphin and it works!
There's usually one at or near a train station (along T1 line). My iPhone always automatically connects to them (sometimes), even while I'm in the train.
I don't stay near them long enough to get much usage though, but I guess for me it's good to know they are around.
What is the speed like?
Hovers between 100kb to 400kb, neither of them consistently :)
so really its more about connectivity, and grabbing emails basic surfing.
You couldnt Skype or Youtube from it?
Havent tried Skype.. but you can Youtube.. (if stationary)
I use them with my wifi only tablet all the time. It's true, there aren't enough hotspots, but the ones they do have are often located in convenient spots so can be used when waiting for buses etc. You can get an app which is supposed to log you into the network automatically, but I only ever managed to get it to do this once, so I just login manually. I've never really bothered to speedtest it, so don't know if streaming video will be ok on it. I just do general web stuff, facespace etc.
thats reasonably respectable
The app (supposedly to connect automatically) never does so. It does alert you of an available hotspot though. It's a pain to log in each time through the browser. Speeds are slow.. you can say between 3g and 4G. Referring to Sydney CBD hotpots. Good if you are stationary but not for a walk etc..
auto connect from app works for me.. that is the whole point of having the app making it convinient to connect…
Used to be like that but seems to have improved with updates. Still there are some dud hotspots.
Recently moved into a new rental property that hasn't got NBN installed yet. Have a neighbor with Telstra home hotspot.
Set up router as a repeater and connected to a switch/modem allows for free internet at speeds better than 3G.
Even lets me stream Netflix, Stan etc through my PlayStation without any lag or buffering.
Revisiting this topic, as I am keep to hear what had changed.
Whether people think there is adequate coverage now that more people (an assumption) have Telstra NBN connections and thus more hotpots to connect to.
Given that that most NBN plans are unlimited now (it doesn't matter if it draws down from your allowance) does this supplement teenage kids insatiable appetite for data in a lot of places.
Some of my comments are near the end of this thread: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/225574
Biggest issue for me is not enough hotspots. But I've got 7.6G from the starter kit so I'm not bothered about usage this month.