Short Term Data Sim Recommendations

M00Cow on 04/03/2025 - 09:43

Hi, I'm after a data sim to chuck in a 4g modem for the upcoming cyclone here on the GC. We'll no doubt lose internet for a few day because NBN's equipment likes tripping fuses and their techs are afraid of rain/wind/customers

I've previously tried normal mobile sims (Vodafone & a Optus MVNO) and they tend to disconnect after 30mins or so… I assume they detect it's in a modem. so I figure I need a data sim.

I see Belong has 100gb/$45 is there much else on the market? Alas I'd need to purchase a sim at a shop.

Mobile Mobile Broadband Plan

Comments

  • WatchNerd on 04/03/2025 - 09:56

    Why not just hotspot from your phone or a spare one?

    • M00Cow on 04/03/2025 - 12:36
      +1

      because i can plug the 4g modem into my router and the internet continues to work as before. and hotspotting 30.odd devices if possible would grund everything to a halt.

  • 87percent on 04/03/2025 - 10:12

    If it's bad, Likely the mobile network would go down too, and it won't be until the providers bring in those CoW's would it come back (and even then, wouldn't expect anything super fast). Probably your only option would be Starlink

    • M00Cow on 04/03/2025 - 12:41
      +1

      nah its a category 6 media storm and a category 1-2 weather storm. the problem will be flooding (500ml over 4 days). our local Telstra/NBN HFC exchange gets flooded out for a few days. our NBN trips a switch almost monthly due to a power outage/storm caused an issue a tech turns up 4hr-2days later resets the switch or whatever and it works again.

  • boomramada on 04/03/2025 - 10:20
    +1

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/894941

    50GB and Telstra, by the time you get the sim, cyclone will be over and infrastructure back to normal

    • M00Cow on 04/03/2025 - 12:52

      yep thanks…that's why I said

      Alas I'd need to purchase a sim at a shop.

      looks like a Belong sim will do.

  • geekcohen on 04/03/2025 - 14:23

    And this is the time where Starlink is brilliant. It is highly likely the networks will be overloaded, and when the tower batteries go flat or their generators are not connected in time, the towers will go down.

    I had this happen in VIC last year. Towers were down for a few hours when the batteries went flat and when there was reception, it was barely usable for data. Only phone calls.

    • M00Cow on 04/03/2025 - 15:49

      but I don't think Starlink works during storms?

      • geekcohen on 04/03/2025 - 15:56

        Only read bad electrical storms, even still it only drops out for a moment. I've had mine drop out a little but during an electrical storm, other storms have been fine.

  • M00Cow on 04/03/2025 - 15:20

    got the $35 Belong mobile broadband 100gb

    • WatchNerd on 05/03/2025 - 06:08

      Don't forget to activate with a referral code for $20 credit.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join