In country areas, reception can be flaky. You can check the various maps issued by Telecoms, but I need to have actual phone and see the bars.
Can I just try a whole lot of $2 Sims?
How to Check Coverage of Mobile without Buying a Plan?
Catullus on 19/03/2021 - 20:00
Last edited 19/03/2021 - 20:01
Last edited 19/03/2021 - 20:01
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Can I just try a whole lot of $2 Sims?
This
Coverage maps are useless. Get cheap sims with credit and make calls and use speedtest.net
Can I just try a whole lot of $2 Sims?
Yes.
phone a friend
who have plans with optus Telstra Vodafoneit's party time
after that check coverage
I 2nd asking friends who are on various network to test the speed/reception they are getting. Cheapest method :)
or get an antenna
Telstra reckoned $1000 , and of course, there's a lot of beer can BS around, but where and how do you attach it? Phones these days don't have antenna sockets?
Telstra reckoned $1000
pft
but where and how do you attach it?
do you want it on your house or on your car?
car can be easier and cheaper
this shop has lots of info as well as products:
https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/buying/smart-guides/guide-t…Phones these days don't have antenna sockets?
you can still (or could until very recently) get particular models with sockets
telstra used to always have at least one blue tick model with a socket for sale
i don't know what they're up tothe Telstra / ZTE T96 was a good cheap one that's fairly recent and findable
3 suggested antennas to go with it for ~$200 https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/patch-lead-telstra-t96you can also get adapted leads for lots of phones that use the usb socket
here you can see all the leads they sell which is maybe a quick way to see what models of phone you can use:
https://www.telcoantennas.com.au/patch-leads/mobile-phone/Good stuff, thanks very much
Several years ago wanted to buy sim cards to test coverage but they all wanted a whole lot of info just to purchase $2 sims and i don't remember but I recall someone saying something about a limit of how many sim cards you can register to your name.. again this was several years ago and I don't quite remember.
Thanks, yes that's a nuisance. So I guess you can't just plug the sim in and check the bars without registering?
They didn't even let me purchase the sim as is without all my details so you can't even do that
A limit of 5 rings a bell
Could be wrongI dunno this says U Can buy more than 5 but have to show Id
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2798586Telstra have a box to check online to say, I have less than 5 Sims, before you can proceed to payment, but they didn't like the delivery address and wouldn't take PayPal, so I rissoled them anyway.
But found a Telstra and Vodaphone $2 sim at a shop at Ebay for $1.66 each ?? free post. So we shall see, what happens.
Optus
Telstra
Vodafone
Those maps will give you a good idea, but to find the best when they all have coverage in the area is a lot trickier.
Definitely trying $2 sims will give you accurate information. I did similar with some work sims and ran speed tests on each. If you know the area, look for where the towers are - closest LoS wins.