I recently signed up for the $52.50 100gb and ipad deal from Optus. Rep said that ipad will wear out quicker if you use that as the modem and suggested buying a separate modem. Would I be better off buying a cheap phone that can also double as a spare phone as they seem to be about the same price. Was looking at the Optus ZTE ZIP 4G for $39.50?
When i tether my phone, especially the Telstra free data day my phone got hot. I don't think it's that good for the phone.
Battery might not last as long, who cares, use it.
i thought 4g used less battery than wifi
With same usage (same amount of data over same period of time), normally 4G uses more battery. Ther reason is cellular needs more signalling data, and the signal is less strong
Does Apple slow down iPads like it does to iPhones when the battery degrades?
It all depends on how you're going to use the internet and from where. If you're just using it via the iPad, then have it contained and have internet everywhere you go. If you're primarily going to use it for the TV or a laptop - then consider purchasing a portable router instead that can take a simcard and broadcast it out. A mobile phone won't have a very strong signal to multiple devices, it's not really designed for that.
Thanks, will be primarily for laptop, some tv plus two phones will use the data as well. Can you recommend a portable router that's not too exxy?
You don't need one. Use the sim in your iPad can share the data to your other devices. See: https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204023
At least try that first before spending money on things you may not need.
Rep is a knob (and probably needs to get their sales quota up)
if you are using the ipad as hotspot then the battery might drain faster. maybe the sales rep intended to say this.
I use Optus Huawei 4G WiFi Modem - E5573. Tiny little thing with SIM card that connects up to 5 devices. About $59 currently, sometimes on special.
I bought the small modem but even if it has the B28 band, with "Optus Connect"(APN for mobile broadband) I'm often on the B3 1800hz / B7 2600hz (4-5 bars, ~45Mbps)…I don't know why I can't connect to the B28 and the wifi signal is almost as strong as my phone. My phone is on Yes Internet (APN for mobile phone) so I can use the B28 without issue.
I'll try to use the modem in the shopping center to see if I can connect to the B28 band.
But the huawei consumes less energy and can handle more devices. Of course, you'll need to buy an USB power adapter for the modem and maybe an extension lead to get a better 4G signal. If your house is big, a wifi extender may also be needed because the wifi signal is not as strong as a real modem (netgear, tp link,…)
Fyi, the APN for Ipad is "connectme" instead of "connect"
Hum…after traveling around with the E5573 modem, I can connect to 1800Mhz, 2100, 2300 and 2600 (45mbps on 2100 and 20-25mbps with the other bands, both with full bars) but I can't manage to get the famous B28 700, even after changing the APN to yesinternet…
I'm using the ZTE wifi modem (got it for $35 from big w last month, not sure if they still have it), supports up to 32 devices at the same time.
http://www.kmart.com.au/product/optus-4g-zte-wifi-modem/1476…
I use a HUAWEI E5573 and it's great!…well it is just for me and I live in a unit…
Just noticed they are on special at Coles NOW! $39 (usually $59) and locked to Optus :)
Hahahah “wear out quicker”. What a load of rot. That rep is having a lend. Ask him/her precisely what he/she thinks wears out in the iPad from data use, and where it can be serviced.