Looking for a Cheap Mobile Plan, Little Data, for a Pensioner

Geekomatic on 10/10/2024 - 22:44
Last edited 06/11/2024 - 13:01 by 1 other user

So, the issues I've found with her current internet/mobile is that iinet/TPG are worthless & expensive.

This lady doesn't even use her mobile except for 2FA codes. She's landline only where it comes to calls.

She has purchased Google Drive of 2TB, and that seems to be choking her connections's upload. I don't use it so not sure the issue, but it keeps sending notifications stating certain files weren't synced and nothing to help figure out why?

Her current plan is 1mb up (at best)— but this is FTTP & I'm just confused. What could cause this? Only the last 3 months.

I'm about to switch her to FutureBB in Perth.

Any ideas?

Also, anyone in the Mandurah area (Dudley Pk) who can tell me if Aldi/Flip work well/good coverage?

Mobile SIM Only Mobile Plan

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 10/10/2024 - 22:56
    +2

    $12 SIM Kit https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/869849

    Telstra (Best coverage in Australia.)
    $12, plan lasts 6 months when activated on Casual Plan
    350MB data
    95 call minutes to standard Australian numbers
    120 texts (SMS/MMS) to standard Australian numbers

    Alternatively

    Catch 365 Day Plan for $99 (OnePass) or $109 (if not Onepass user). This is equivalent to paying $8.25 a month for mobile.
    120GB Data (4G only, Optus network, Unlimited talk and text).

    Catch is the Cheapest long-term plan you can buy at the moment, apart from Kogan Mobile Small Prepaid Plan.

    On October 22nd, the prices of pretty much every prepaid plan will increase in Australia due to cost of living increase.

  • sumyungguy on 10/10/2024 - 23:24

    I support a couple of low-data seniors by purchasing 365d sims which gives them wifi access via (1) Optus Sagemcom gateway (the one with 4G backup), and (2) Telstra ZTE MF91; not sure this will still work after the 3G shutdown despite it being a 4G device. She would just have to give up the landline which I acknowledge may be a hard. One of these clients went from $90 per month Telstra NBN to $150 for a whole year's data (180GB, consumed mainly during the tennis grand slams).

  • neoleo on 11/10/2024 - 00:52

    The Google Drive issue maybe because of its Settings "Transfer files only over Wi-Fi". Disable this if she rarely use Wi-Fi, but will eat more phone data.

    As she doesn't need big amount of data, just buy yearly mobile plan, much cheaper than monthly plan. Either Boost Mobile or Optus or Vodafone yearly plan, I think.

  • eddieboy2 on 11/10/2024 - 08:02

    Circles.Life are good in my view. Check them out They say "We just won “Best Postpaid Provider For Value” in the Finder Mobile Awards 2023. We were number 1 out of 30. Check out our plans and you’ll see why." I pay $15 per month for SIM only plan. Been with them over 12 months…

  • JimmyF on 11/10/2024 - 10:07

    She has purchased Google Drive of 2TB, and that seems to be choking her connections's upload. I don't use it so not sure the issue, but it keeps sending notifications stating certain files weren't synced and nothing to help figure out why?

    What device is this on and what are they backing up?

    2TB is a lot of storage, why so big for a pensioner who doesn't need much data in the first place?

  • Geekomatic on 11/10/2024 - 15:50

    She uses Google Drive for all of her "bookwork". This is on her PC, not her mobile. She's retired, but keeps every bit of her bills & etc. so everything is in order when she passes away— she wants things made easy on the fellow who is her estate handler. Dozens of folders with subfolders/files. It might even be hundreds of folders. She's panicking because of the choked upload speed. It's so bad that webpages take eons to load. Google Drive offered 100GB or 2TB. so she took the 2TB. I don't use GD much, only to upload a large file to send the link to someone every so often, so don't know much about it. Her upload issue only started about 3 months ago.

    I was looking at Future Broadband's value plan for home internet. They have 25/8 w/landline for $62. That increases her upload from 1mb-8mb.

    Then, was thinking Fl!p for mobile @ 9.90 p/m. That's 3GB data, which is more than enough for her. When I checked their FTTP, it's actually cheaper than FutureBB, but I've dealt with FBB and they've always been incredibly good to talk to & helpful.

    I'm going to go over to her house this weekend and try a few things re: the upload speed. I'm bringing my laptop and will shut down her PC and connect to her wifi and check the speed. Then, will connect via ethernet cable to see what I get. But, I still would like to move her regardless as she's paying too much to iinet/tpg.

    Is anyone at OZB a fl!p internet or mobile customer?

  • Geekomatic on 12/10/2024 - 21:57

    I sent her ping logs (3000+) to TPG and she reports it's all good today?

    Can anyone explain what happened here?

  • ilove on 15/10/2024 - 04:47

    a pensioner I know is paying $62 a month for telstra's cheapest plan!!! he doens't know how to change…

    • Jackson on 19/10/2024 - 08:24
      +1

      Show him some love and move him off

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