Mobile 4G Broadband - Best Deal??

MoonlapseVertigo on 13/12/2018 - 08:03

Hello to my fellow ozbarginers,

I’m after some advice on a good 4G mobile broadband deal. The situation has come from my daily frustration on Sydney trains. I am on the train for 2 hours per day and my Telstra 20GB iPhone sim constantly struggles from Fairfield all the way to the city.

There are black spots and I’m stuck with no mobile data for quite a lot of the journey. I also find due to the overcrowding in peak hour, similiar to music festivals, everyone sucking the life out of the satellite 4G results in little or no mobile data in the train.

I want to purchase a 4G mobile broadband modem and need around 10GB per month I’d suggest maybe more when my wife is also on the train with me.

Anyone experienced in mobile broadband offers? Who would you recommend and which modem etc?

Any insight is very much appreciated and thanks in advance

Internet Mobile Broadband Plan

Comments

  • Helmuth on 13/12/2018 - 08:28
    +1

    Firstly… 4G isn't delivered over Satelite.
    Secondly, Telstra has the best coverage - on that line Vodafone usually drops out completely.
    If you want a modem with great reception, you're probably looking for the Netgear Nighthawk M1 Mobile Router

    Can't help you with the plan - I use Kogan's $0.99 per month for 40 GB prepaid SIMs, but that's Vodafone and it's pretty terrible on that line.

    • alex123711 on 11/01/2022 - 12:21

      do you port out and back in every 30 days?

  • dasher86 on 13/12/2018 - 09:32
    +2

    Trains are like Faraday cages.
    You will never get 'great' reception.
    As above some carriers will be better than others.
    If you go with Telstra the Netgear Nighthawk M1 mobile router is probably your best bet.
    It will set you back ~$200+ for the device alone; with no guarantees, it will work the way you want it.

    • dasher86 on 13/12/2018 - 09:36

      Actually getting a hotspot will only benefit you depending on the LTE category of your device.

    • MoonlapseVertigo on 13/12/2018 - 12:25

      Thank you. In 2018 one would assume I could have internet connection even when in a moving train. Seems wifi would be the only way, and that would be 2050 based on Sydney’s outlook

  • MoonlapseVertigo on 13/12/2018 - 12:24

    So you guys are saying that I’ll most likely have the same experience if I get a mobile broadband modem anyway on the train??

    • dasher86 on 13/12/2018 - 12:43

      yes. changing carriers and phone might help

    • Helmuth on 13/12/2018 - 16:30

      Mostly yes. Some of the mobile broadband devices might get marginally better reception than your phone and you might be able to use an external antenna with them, but it'd be a pain.

  • Some Human on 13/12/2018 - 23:49

    Can’t you find something else to do on the train?

  • jsb on 14/12/2018 - 07:53

    I would suggest investing in your time. Get audible subscription. Download some good titles in your phone and listen offline. You could also download a few games which work offline. Download music on Spotify with paid subscription. Etc.

  • firecall on 29/12/2021 - 10:42

    You could try Speedify!

    It will bond connections and get you data in situations where you might ordinarily experience drop-outs!

    It will use the cellular connection on your phone, and a WiFi connection at the same time!

    You can use 2GB of data p/m for free on Speedify, after that they charge!

    • kerfuffle on 29/12/2021 - 10:48

      Do you work for Speedify?

      • firecall on 02/01/2022 - 11:59

        I do not!

        I just have terrible NBN and gave up on it.

        Now I use a collection of 5G and 4G mobile plans!

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