I know that 24 month contracts are frowned upon but JB have increased the gift card component for their $69 mobile broadband plan to $700 (was $500). Effective cost of the plan down to $40 p/month if valuing the gift card at face value..
Might be useful for those looking to replace their internet with this as long as 400Gb is enough data each month.
Service is provided by Telstra and includes 5G.
Provided by Telstra. Have added detail to the deal. Thanks
I found Telstra 5G mobile internet to be atrocious…
That was nearly 2 years ago. Here's hoping it's better…
2 years ago 5G penetration would have been minimal. It would definitely be better now as more towers are built or converted. But it obviously still depends on your location.
2 years ago the issue was not just coverage. You could be having full network strength but practically no data flow.
Most of these issues was sorted within 6 months from launch.
We had similar history with the launch of 4G.
We had similar history with the launch of 4G.
Except 4G has a range of 16km, not 900m. ;-D
@[Deactivated]: In a straight line, at 25C, no rain.
I don’t understand how they thought >40GHz was a good idea for mobile phone communications.
minimal penetration? thats what she said
I’m hoping you don’t hear that too often.
Thanks for the chuckle, I always appreciate TWSS jokes.
I don't think it's going to matter how many "towers" they put up. 5G is a huge foolish mistake. 4G wavelength has a range of ~16km but 5G only ~900 meters, and even trees block 5G signals. It's just as well we have plans with unlimited calls now because we're going to need them. People are going to have dropped calls just because a bus passed them on the street. Which means it's going to require so many "towers" so close together to fill not only black holes, but constantly moving ones (like if someone puts up a new billboard or a tree grows a few cm too high), that it's ridiculous. Government and carriers claimed for years they couldn't afford to solve signal in "rural" areas (which are often anything but "rural") building a 4G tower every 10-15km… so how will they afford a bit over 15x towers every 15km across a nation? If they try they'll go broke. If they don't, they'll have to keep 4G/3G, so there's no point in wasting $$$ on a 5G phone. Liars and fools. All so they can track and monitor and control us some more. Dictator Dan must be rubbing his hands with glee.
I’ve had my iPhone 12 switch off 5g as the calls were unstable let alone the internet.
And that’s living in inner Melbourne and travelling a fair bit.
I pay for 5g and use 4g so I can reliably make calls. Useless tech for me at the moment.
@rwps: Ah, ok - so 5G does fall back to 4G? (I'm typing another reply about that right now, where I suggest that might be the case.)
Dude I was all agreeing and appreciating your comment until I saw this junk at the end:
All so they can track and monitor and control us some more. Dictator Dan must be rubbing his hands with glee.
@Corgsta: I think they missed out a step: 5G gives you covid, then you're forced to take the vax which has microchips from Bill gates which track you.
4G wavelength has a range of ~16km but 5G only ~900 meters, and even trees block 5G signals.
There are two types of 5G, sub-6: the most widely available type which uses similar frequency bands to existing 4G (lower than 6Ghz) and mmWave: new short range bands that operate over 24Ghz rolling out in densely populated CBD areas. Sub-6 is still a lot faster than the older 4G. For example I get up to 600Mbps over Sub-6 5G from a tower more than a km away, but if I switch to 4G then my speed drops to around 200Mb from the same tower.
There are some studies (mostly international) that show 5G to be as a cheaper alternative to upgrading the last mile with fibre, especially in older suburbs. The technology has lot of potential, but whether its going to work for us or not depends on how the telcos and the government implement it.
For me at home it goes from 100-200ms ping with 1-3mbps with Optus or Vodafone to 9ms ping and 150mbps with Telstra, so your mileage may vary.
I live next to a mobile tower and Telstra's 5G mobile internet still sucked
I'm not eligible for Telstra 5G Home internet as I'm on the fringe of the official reception area. I'm getting a ping of 20ms, 138Mbps D/L but only 7.1 Mbps U/L - though I believe the upload pathway is via 4G. Not that good for two-way broadband activity but fine for my purposes. If i shift the modem to a favourable spot I can get the upload rate to ~ 27Mbps and the ping time down to 18.
The best I could get via our National fibre back-bone to a node close to where I live was 78/25.
im getting over 300-500Mbps on most good 5G locations
so you use optus?
No, Pfizer 5g with Moderna standby
It's still pretty hit and miss in inner city Melbourne, I'm told it's better in the eastern suburbs.
Signed up this deal already:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/704011
JB's previous 12 month contract deal is much better than this.
That was a mobile phone plan. Op’s is mobile broadband plan. Which Telstra stores currently charge $85/month.
But what is stopping him from using the mobile plan as data only if it is a better deal?
Does this mean that in ten days it goes from being 400gb per month to 150gb?
No, it means you have to sign up before the 30th of June to qualify for the bonus data.
I got a bonus 150GB and $10 off for the first year from one of last year's JB deals. The $10 discount ended, but the data stays until I'm foolish enough to drop the account.
It's not a plan that Telstra can adjust, your contract is with JB Hi-Fi and they provide the service. They are provided people in their 150 + 150 plans, many of who use hardly any of it. I rarely crack more than 60GB a month, but there's the overhead there if I need it - and spare bandwidth for those that do.
The offer runs out, not the data.
I signed this up last month $69 for 12 months given $250 gift cards.
within the next couple of months, 400Gb is just enough for mobile with 5g mmwave.
mmwave is just faster, doesn't mean you use more data.
Heavens! - That's not enough for 4 BDXL Blu-ray movies.
Can this be used to replace Broadband/NBN?
if you use under 400gb/month and have good reception then I guess so
Only problem is 5G modem is very expensive. Using phone tethering is not good for home. Unless you don’t have many device at home.
4G modems are cheap… unlocked Optus B818 are now going for under $100 used.
What about a 5G modem?
If 4G, why not Felix unlimited 4G for $35?
@rhyme324: Cause it is limited, to 20mbps.
Last I checked, Telstra 4G data was in the same price range before considering the voucher
Replaced my parents dodgy country satellite connection with an M1 Nighthawk cabled to an aerial on the roof and mesh network around the house, works far better for them. Telstra 4G.
If 5G automatically falls back to 4G when 5G is crap (or your modem/phone can be set to 4G manually), then sure. (I don't know if that is possible - someone else here might.) If you set them to 4G manually, I'd be looking for a 4G plan/SIMs instead. 5G has a pathetic range (just 900m compared to 4G's 16km) and 5G can drop out just because someone installs a new billboard or some trees grow or lean over too far in a storm.
I currently use 4G for my only internet access. I buy the cheapest SIMs with data available, insert them into a pocket wifi modem (many of which can share to multiple devices over wifi, and/or one device via a cable/USB port). Currently I have my laptop and smartphone connected that way. (The phone's SIM is calls-only, so I can still have internet on the phone via the pocket wifi modem over wifi.) i.e. I have no NBN or other internet service.
I use it a LOT, downloading torrents of the shows I watch, daily updates of youtube channels I'm subbed to (plus others that catch my interest obviously), and pirated courses/tutorials for musical instruments… and I use from 40 to 60GB per month. Usage would obviously go up if someone had Netflix etc, and way up if using high res. So to get that down: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/12282409/redir ;-D
Can this be used to replace Broadband/NBN?
Of course you can, I’ve been using a Telstra mobile broadband connection with 580GB of data for over a year now. I also have a backup of 100GB, but hardly ever need to use it. You won’t be able to stream a lot of 4K videos, but if you are happy with full HD streaming then you should be able to manage. I work from home full time and usually take 2~3 hours of video calls every day, my wife also works a couple of days from home. We also watch a quite a bit of streaming videos (full HD). 580GB is enough for us. But if you are a light user, then 400GB should be more than enough. I get 400~600Mbps over 5G, which is obviously a lot faster than your typical 100Mbps NBN line. But depending on your reception and congestion your millage may vary.
Yep. Get a Telstra smart modem 2 from Facebook market place to use as the router. Works better than NBN at my place.
I was told it wouldn’t work by telstra chat. Can you confirm it would work?
I was using one with a 5g enabled mobile broadband plan from JB hi-fi. Of course the modern only does 4g, but it is more than fast enough.
Is there a free modem?
doesn't sound like it. how much for 5G modem and 5G router?
free modem will be better deal.
5G network access..but the only dedicated device linked on the page is 4G… What's everyone using besides mobile phones?
Netgear Nighthawk M5
$500 outright or on a plan?
Recommended?
I got it outright :) I'm quite happy with it! I don't get full strength 5G all the time, but even at "half" power it's still quite fast. I've got it plugged into power, so I took the battery out. But handy to have the battery for times I DO need portable internet.
And when it IS at full strength power - it's SO fast, love it 😍
@redgymhero: FYI they have a built in safe guard that reduced the battery charge to 60 or 80% (can’t remember) and powers it from the USB if you have it powered for an extended period.
@Mitch889: 65% - but if you unplug the USB then re-connect it it does a charge back to 100%. Taking the battery out @ 65% is also the best state for storage.
With the battery in, it'll do a charge each time you move it.
Thanks X 2
I'm happy with the M2 on 4G now..will look into the M6 if I jump on this deal
What does it cost per month to add another data SIM to data share ?
not shareable
I’m told the $5 data share SIM ended two years ago.
I’m holding onto my three for as long as I can. 580GB data (400GB data SIM and 180GB phone sim) shared across five devices.
If I have this on a month-to-month, do you think I could go to JB and have them change it over to the 24 month one, so I can get the gift card? 🤔
Just sign a new number since it is mobile broadband number then cancel the old one.
Good thinking, thanks legend 🙏🏻
Or port out, port back in - if you want to keep the same number.
e.g.
hmm I'm looking for a cheap option for monthly internet for single person. My new place i'm moving to hace no internet. Any recommendation?:
Felix unlimited plan? 4G is enough for streaming
Is it good for video call too? I'll do lots of it with family
No contract. Try a month, if not working for you, just change it.
You obviously need a modem to insert the SIM into, or put it in a phone and tether the phone to your computer via a cable or over wifi.
Legend!
Thats a ton of data. Strange that Telstra used to be quite sparse on data, while optus offered you heaps. Now it looks like the situation has reversed
They’re now competing on service, coverage and speed. Data caps are a race to the bottom and in this day and age most users don’t want to think about it.
I think Optus has realised paying for the EPL rights is coming at a steep cost…
can you still get the $10/month discount via telstra chat with this?
I wanna know this too.
what is that discount?
Anyone know if this supports data sharing? Thinking of getting this for my iPad and then data sharing with a cheaper plan on my phone.
Read this as a Mobile Plan rather than Broadband Plan… Sadness
Im currently on this plan paying 70pm month to month. Data is more than enough for my own use. 700 $ might be worth the 24 month contract as i dont plan changing.
Contemplating:
$85/month (no lock in) + 1TB data + Free 5G Modem = ~$82/month (first month free) and no lock in - Direct with Telstra
OR
$40/month (24 Months) + 400GB/month + $550 Nighthawk M6 = $63/month locked for 24 months and less data - With JbHiFi
Where did you see the first offer?
$85/month (no lock in) + 1TB data + Free 5G Modem = ~$82/month (first month free) and no lock in - Direct with Telstra
I see. That’s the Home Broadband plan which most people can’t seem to get. I was hoping they have a competing deal on the mobile broadband.
You'll have better luck winning the lottery than getting that $85 5G home broadband plan ;) Only very few areas have access to that service and even fewer people in those areas are allowed to sign up. IMHO there is nothing to contemplate, if you have access to the $85 home broadband service the choice is pretty obvious.
I have access to the $85 Telstra 5G home internet and decided not to sign up because I don’t use more than 400Gb / month, so This deal is better for me because I pay less, for the right amount of data, I don’t want to pay more for the data I never use.
Wait so everyone neggs Optus 24m deals for internet and phones but everyone goes crazy over Telstra 24m weird bunch
Optus is shit compared to telstra from my experience. The network is much better and customer support is slightly better than that of optus.
I have so much regret changing from telstra to optus.
No international calls, big NO.
Why would an internet plan include calls ??
LOL. Not the first person to think it's a mobile plan, and probably won't be the last.
$350/year x2 is a far cry from $500/12mo
Ah. Fair.
I signed up two weeks for mbb through JB 24 months $59 a month 24 months and a $500 GC. Which when you do the sums works out better in the long run, given its $10 a month cheaper.
Who is the telco?