Mobile phone contract /plan?

[AttaBoy]

Hey all,

I need some help about my phone contract which is due to end in June. (24month contract with $30 per month plan with Telstra)

I'm not very knowledgeable in this area concerning mobile phones and the plans.

What should I do when my contract ends and what happens when it ends?
Do Telstra charge me less?
I'm currently using Motorola V3 (I bet everyone here knows how crap these phones are) which came with the plan and I want to upgrade to a better phone.

Also am I able to keep my number if I'm transferring to another provider? Stupid question isn't it...

Is there any plans people can recommend me that are around $30 - $40 per month.

I also had a look and the Nokia range of phones, they seem pretty good!

Just wanna get rid of the Motorola.

[Shounak]

Prior to your contract ending, shop around for a better deal. That may be another plan or prepaid. 1 day after your contract finishes, you're free to go whereever you want, but your phone will keep working. Your plan will continue, but there won't be a contract locking you in.

You can walk in anywhere and have your old number ported over at no cost. It will take no more than 2 hours to fully port.

If you go to another plan you will get a new phone obviously and you can keep your number.

I would personally recommend either 3 or Vodafone. Both have caps of $120 (or so) for $30 a month, plus they throw in a Nokia. I personally went for the $49 cap with Vodafone because I went over $120 and now I have $310, plus 100 free txt.

You can get the Nokia N95 with Vodafone for $49 a month, which is pretty cheap. But have a look at their websites for the deals.

[minux]

if you stay with telstra get yourself a 3g phone, that way you can go on capped plans eg $49 cap gets $250 of calls + 100 to other telstra phones etc.

I switched to vodaphone once...worst mistake ever. 3 are useless and never used optus. Unfortunately the people we love to hate are the best when it comes to mobile coverage.

[Rufus®]

Find a phone you like, with the features you want/need, the go to somewhere like allphones, and see what plans are available for that phone, Find one that suits you.

[Rufus®]

if you stay with telstra get yourself a 3g phone, that way you can go on capped plans eg $49 cap gets $250 of calls + 100 to other telstra phones etc.

I switched to vodaphone once...worst mistake ever. 3 are useless and never used optus. Unfortunately the people we love to hate are the best when it comes to mobile coverage.

If you go with helstra you'll have a nextg phone, All others are 3G (i think) but even then they are different 3G networks / frequencies.

[AttaBoy]

Thanks I'll look into it.

Can someone explain the benefit of having 3 or 3G whatever it is called??

Yes I'm that dumb LOL........

[Tom_1569]

You can do the Vodafone prepaid for 49 bux (10% off at all safeway) for 310 bux credit and 100 free text and one hour free calls. You can do that to auto top up each month, which is like having a contract but you can leave at any time, downfall is you have to either by a phone through them on a prepay, or buy one outright (or use existing) or go on a plan.
The donwside so vodafones 29dollar one is, that the call rates are all alot dearer then the 49 dollar one, its not worth the 29 dollar one unless you hardly use your phone.

[Shounak]

You can do the Vodafone prepaid for 49 bux (10% off at all safeway) for 310 bux credit and 100 free text and one hour free calls. You can do that to auto top up each month, which is like having a contract but you can leave at any time, downfall is you have to either by a phone through them on a prepay, or buy one outright (or use existing) or go on a plan.
The donwside so vodafones 29dollar one is, that the call rates are all alot dearer then the 49 dollar one, its not worth the 29 dollar one unless you hardly use your phone.

Getting on prepaid is usually a waste, as people often keep paying $30 or $50 a month, they're forced to because of the 30 day expiry. Whereas, if they got on a plan for the same amount they're locked in, but they get a phone for free.

A lot of people stay with the same provider for years anyway.

[Shounak]

if you stay with telstra get yourself a 3g phone, that way you can go on capped plans eg $49 cap gets $250 of calls + 100 to other telstra phones etc.

I switched to vodaphone once...worst mistake ever. 3 are useless and never used optus. Unfortunately the people we love to hate are the best when it comes to mobile coverage.

3 and Vodafone are no problem in metropolitan areas at all. 2 years ago when my dad was on Telstra and I was on Optus, we found that whilst travelling, I usually had better coverage than him.

I was with 3 and now Vodafone. No problems at all. I've gone to Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra and the reception has been pretty damn awesome.

Probably a different kettle of fish in country area's, I wouldn't know.

[AttaBoy]

I don't really care about coverage as I'm always in the metro areas and hardly venture outside it.

Whats good about the next G network??

[Rufus®]

Next G is telstras network, used for video downloads, music, web browsing.
3G is pretty much the same, but offered by the likes of optus, voda, 3, virgin (optus).

You can't use a 3G phone on NextG and vise versa, so you need to make sure they have they version of the phone for the network you want.

NextG has a ****load more coverage, but thats only if you are wanting web browsing, email and downloads and the likes, otherwise they all fall back to the GSM network.

If you do want to use web browsing, email, downloads etc etc you'll have to buy a data plan as well, on top of your voice plan.

I think NORTI works for telstra, she'll be able to tell you.

[evil_monkey]

vodafone has been great for me, im on a $79 cap with $500 worth of calls and its cheaper for me to use my mobile for business calls than to use my telstra business landline

[albert5268]

Unfortunately the people we love to hate are the best when it comes to mobile coverage.

Not sure about the Telstra reception over there but here it is atrocious. It used to be on par with Optus and Voda and now its shocking. Can't even get Smellstra reception in my room at all (where i used to get full reception). Switched to Vodafone and haven't had a problem getting reception since (I'm in the sticks btw). Optus is great in a little town about 10km's away but everywhere else Vodafone is superior.

A lot of ppl in our community have complained about Telstra reception and the issue even made it into our local paper. NextG is no better in that department. So i guess it depends on where you live but that doesn't excuse the rapid decline in Telstra mobile phone reception in my region.

[klaw81]

Can someone explain the benefit of having 3 or 3G whatever it is called??

3G stands for 3rd generation and is the new international standard for mobile networks. 3G phones can transmit and receive standard digital frequencies (the same ones you've been using for years) but are also capable of picking up additional frequencies that enable extra features - high speed internet access & video calls are the main advantages.

Telstra's NextG network is a standard 3G service, with an extra perk - it uses a frequency that allows unusually long range signal transmission, which gives the phone additional range. NextG has been used to replace the CDMA network and theoretically gives equivalent coverage, giving the NextG the greatest coverage of any mobile network in Australia. This frequency "band" is a little unusual internationally and many phones are not configured to send and receive on the frequency - this is why most of the 3G phones sold by Optus, Vodafone and 3 cannot be used on the NextG network, or vice versa.

NextG aside, 3G networks generally only have coverage in urban and regional areas. Outside 3G coverage, your phone will access standard digital signals and the high-speed features are not available.

If you don't need big coverage or fast internet on your phone, there's probably little advantage to a 3G phone.

[STEALTHY™]

Prepaid ftw.


I don't know why anyone would want to be locked in for years on end. Situations change.

I spend more than a $30 card (piece of paper now lol) a month, but i own my phone outright, and if things get tight, i just don';t buy credit for a week.

[BOGANV8]

Im with Vodafone have been for the last 12-13 years and cant complain bout them been pretty good in that time. I just resigned with them for 12months contracts on the $99 mighty cap $700 worth of calls so every month my bill is $99 no matter what..

With vodaphone you can call 1512 and keep an eye on you usage over the month with telstra you have to log onto the net.... My G/f is with telstra and yes she does get better coverage than me in some places (next g) she is on the 49 cap 450 worth of text and calls and 100 worth of calls to other telstra phones (landline and mobile)...

We both have the Nokia 6120 classic as do 3 or her sisters and her olds and my olds and my boss and 3 other workmates.. Not a bad phone does the job for me....

[AttaBoy]

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm still looking into different plans and phones.

I'm starting to like the Nokia 6500 Slide.
I'm never going back to motorola after countless of product/warranty issues with them. Too much hassle.

[AttaBoy]

3G stands for 3rd generation and is the new international standard for mobile networks. 3G phones can transmit and receive standard digital frequencies (the same ones you've been using for years) but are also capable of picking up additional frequencies that enable extra features - high speed internet access & video calls are the main advantages.

Telstra's NextG network is a standard 3G service, with an extra perk - it uses a frequency that allows unusually long range signal transmission, which gives the phone additional range. NextG has been used to replace the CDMA network and theoretically gives equivalent coverage, giving the NextG the greatest coverage of any mobile network in Australia. This frequency "band" is a little unusual internationally and many phones are not configured to send and receive on the frequency - this is why most of the 3G phones sold by Optus, Vodafone and 3 cannot be used on the NextG network, or vice versa.

NextG aside, 3G networks generally only have coverage in urban and regional areas. Outside 3G coverage, your phone will access standard digital signals and the high-speed features are not available.

If you don't need big coverage or fast internet on your phone, there's probably little advantage to a 3G phone.

Mmmmm. still deciding whether I should go to 3G or next G. Or either. But the Nokia 6500 is 3G.

[albert5268]

Mmmmm. still deciding whether I should go to 3G or next G. Or either.

NextG is the way of the future, faster speeds, better coverage (not just in capital cities) but at the moment it is having several teething problems. Personally i would wait for a while for the bugs to be fixed and prices to come down.

[klaw81]

Mmmmm. still deciding whether I should go to 3G or next G. Or either. But the Nokia 6500 is 3G.

Actually, a quick look at the specifications of the 2 Nokia 6500 phones (Slide and Classic) reveals they are compatible with the NextG network, although they are not officially supported by Telstra.

I have been using NextG for about 6 months (on an unsupported phone) with no problems at all, and while the coverage can be a little unpredictable in places it's far superior to Telstra's digital 2G coverage in SE Qld at least. I wouldn't mind getting the prices that Optus and Vodafone offer but their coverage at home is next to nothing so Telstra are my only option.

Waiting for bugs to be fixed doesn't achieve anything in my opinion - you've going to need a phone sooner or later, and any bugs that get fixed will occur without any input from consumers. Prices for network access have remained unchanged from 2G to 3G anyway and they won't change much in the foreseeable future.

[NORTI]

You can walk in anywhere and have your old number ported over at no cost. It will take no more than 2 hours to fully port.

If you go to another plan you will get a new phone obviously and you can keep your number.

Sorry not true, there is a porting fee, unless you get someone to dodge around it with some tricks (not going to go inot that) Also porting can take days, rather than 'no more than 2 hours' but ideally should take no more than couple hours. But yes you can keep your number all Australian mobile companies support MNP

if you stay with telstra get yourself a 3g phone, that way you can go on capped plans eg $49 cap gets $250 of calls + 100 to other telstra phones etc.

I switched to vodaphone once...worst mistake ever. 3 are useless and never used optus. Unfortunately the people we love to hate are the best when it comes to mobile coverage.

$49 Telstra cap is $250, $200 of everyone calls & $50 Telstra mboile bonus.

If you go with helstra you'll have a nextg phone, All others are 3G (i think) but even then they are different 3G networks / frequencies.

all other companies are GSM900, '3G' is 2100MHZ Telstra use 850MHZ UTMS (HSDPA) for 'NEXTG'

Next G is telstras network, used for video downloads, music, web browsing.
3G is pretty much the same, but offered by the likes of optus, voda, 3, virgin (optus).

You can't use a 3G phone on NextG and vise versa, so you need to make sure they have they version of the phone for the network you want.

NextG has a ****load more coverage, but thats only if you are wanting web browsing, email and downloads and the likes, otherwise they all fall back to the GSM network.

If you do want to use web browsing, email, downloads etc etc you'll have to buy a data plan as well, on top of your voice plan.

I think NORTI works for telstra, she'll be able to tell you.

Yes I do. NEXTG does have the widest coverage, & does have broadband speed data access.



To AttaBoy, you can definetly upgrade your phone (& If you want to PM me your number Ill call & offer you the upgrade for free) & it can be done now if your contract is due in June. You can take the exact same offer again $30 phone plan, with same bonus option & the NOKIA 6120, or the $40 phone plan if you think you need the extras & the lower call rates. Make sure you re-evaluate your bonus options.

[BANKS]

How much does everyone here spend a month on their mobile? I think i've been getting ripped off by optus (the worst customer service in the world btw!!!!) I've been with optus for about 4 years, and about 2 years before that on prepaid. Over the past couple of months they have done their lot with me. I wont go into details but theres been alot of stressful phone calls to stupid indian call centres!

Im on the $79 cap but my phone bill is always about $110.

I pay $3 for insurance which is a con
and $0 for the phone (nokia E65 - second one in 5 months)

Seriously if i do more then $550 worth of calls ill be surprised...

I do alot of msging, and only call people for an average of a minute or two. Never use the net and send about 5 MMS a month

[NORTI]

Actually, a quick look at the specifications of the 2 Nokia 6500 phones (Slide and Classic) reveals they are compatible with the NextG network, although they are not officially supported by Telstra.

I have been using NextG for about 6 months (on an unsupported phone) with no problems at all, and while the coverage can be a little unpredictable in places it's far superior to Telstra's digital 2G coverage in SE Qld at least. I wouldn't mind getting the prices that Optus and Vodafone offer but their coverage at home is next to nothing so Telstra are my only option.

Waiting for bugs to be fixed doesn't achieve anything in my opinion - you've going to need a phone sooner or later, and any bugs that get fixed will occur without any input from consumers. Prices for network access have remained unchanged from 2G to 3G anyway and they won't change much in the foreseeable future.

Yes you can use the 6500 on NEXTG, Attaboy if you decide to buy a phone outright, then choose a 'Member plan' this will give you a slightly lower call rate, maintain your bonus option & give you a monthly 'member credit' IE your current $30 plan will cost $24 a month with $30 of calls (voice/sms no data) Vs your current plan $30 with $25 voice/sms & $5 data. Call rates differ by 0.02 per 30secs. You will need to make sure you have a USIM to use the G networks.

[Shounak]

Sorry not true, there is a porting fee, unless you get someone to dodge around it with some tricks (not going to go inot that) Also porting can take days, rather than 'no more than 2 hours' but ideally should take no more than couple hours. But yes you can keep your number all Australian mobile companies support MNP

I've ported numbers 4 times and I've never paid a fee. I've gone from Telstra to Optus Prepaid, Optus prepaid to Optus Postpaid, Optus postpaid to Three, Three to Vodafone and I've never paid a porting fee.

I've also never had to wait any more than 2 hours. My last port from 3 to Voda took about 20mins.

[NORTI]

How much does everyone here spend a month on their mobile? I think i've been getting ripped off by optus (the worst customer service in the world btw!!!!) I've been with optus for about 4 years, and about 2 years before that on prepaid. Over the past couple of months they have done their lot with me. I wont go into details but theres been alot of stressful phone calls to stupid indian call centres!

Im on the $79 cap but my phone bill is always about $110.

I pay $3 for insurance which is a con
and $0 for the phone (nokia E65 - second one in 5 months)

Seriously if i do more then $550 worth of calls ill be surprised...

I do alot of msging, and only call people for an average of a minute or two. Never use the net and send about 5 MMS a month

Well Im prob not the best person to ask I spend around my monthly cap but I have extra services aswell, all up I pay $69 a month as long as I dont exceed $250 calls/sms, 20mg data, & $20 of the is for my N95 monthly paymets. My bills are anywhere from $69-$80 which Im pretty happy with, I send around 700 SMS every month.

Ah one of the biggest complaints I hear is about overseas call centres, I quite often have people say they are happy to talk to me, purely because Im australian, I feel sorry for the poor girl who used to sit behind me She was indian & I would hear her say, no sir, Im in adelaide, australia.

I used to abuse OPTUS all the time when I was with them for pre-paid couldnt be understood, Means that if I get abused now, I consider it karma!