best way to get internet in outback desert ?
Submitted: Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 18:38
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VroomVroom
what do people find best for internet access while in the outback , Tanami , Pilbarra , NT coast etc ?
I only need less than 1 gig per month but will require email , browser and download ability
thankyou
Reply By: Ross M - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:01
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:01
Do you mean in the desert or near townships?
Telstra does most areas but outback is a different story i would imagine. ie no phone no Inet.
AnswerID:
513989
Reply By: mikehzz - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:17
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:17
Telstra 3g coverage map-
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/coverage-networks/our-coverage/
Portable satellite internet plans but you need equipment-
http://www.ausnomadtech.com.au/plans.php#T1
AnswerID:
513990
Follow Up By: mikehzz - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:24
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:24
I forgot to mention....The satellite equipment costs a bomb, around $3500. Using data on a normal satphone is very slow and expensive.
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Follow Up By: VroomVroom - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 20:32
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 20:32
seems like sat phones will have coverage anywhere
rented sat phone that will also do data is around $ 130 per week
$2 per minute for calls
$ 12 per Meg for data
my usage would be 0.5 to 1 Gig per month = ouch
there is probably cheaper ones to be found though if i shopped around
or NexG with a stinking big Yagi high gain antenna ?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 07:35
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 07:35
Data speed on a satphone is comparable to dial up, around 20kb. It would take a long time to do a gb.
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Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 19:11
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 19:11
But at $12 per Mb for data it could cost you more than $12 to load just the log-on page for your internet banking. Or your web-based email. Both with ads, moving pictures and other data-intensive content.
The web is now designed by shiney bums sitting in plush offices with 100 megabit or more internet pipes that cost cents. They have no regard for users with modest connections and high-cost data rates.
I know that some people need to take their office with them, but we go out there to get away from all that stuff and don't miss it at all.
Cheers
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Reply By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 20:47
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 20:47
Some towns have mobile, not all. So no internet.
On weekdays council libraries or visitor/information centres.
On the Tanami after leaving
Alice Springs till
Halls creek nothing.
On the Plenty after leaving
Boulia to
Alice Springs nothing.
Pilbarra ,
Port Hedland , Karrartha. yes.
Nothing between
Carnarvon and
Exmouth.
At
Ningaloo Station there is a place called 'Telstra
Hill' where phone contact can be made most of the time
AnswerID:
513995
Follow Up By: VroomVroom - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 21:08
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 21:08
beautiful
in regards to those
places " with nothing" , are you already using a big booster antenna for your phone ?
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Follow Up By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:13
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:13
Yes
As mentioned earlier a 20 metre pole made from joining tent poles together with a yagi antenna on top
Many use these on the west coast.
Mainly those that go out to sea in small boats so they can get weather reports.
Like they say mobile coverage for 97% of the
population, the other 3% live in these areas.
For years I have used a Codan
HF radio with VKS-737 network using HF-tel for phone calls at mobile rates.
The VKS - 737 network now accept satphone users as members to use their network
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 13:13
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 13:13
Hi Pinko
not quite correct quote...."Nothing between
Carnarvon and
Exmouth.
"
The turn off to
Exmouth (Manilya River Bridge/Roadhouse) has a tower with full strength for some distance either side
Cheers
FollowupID:
792884
Reply By: Member - Peter H1 (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 21:11
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 21:11
Why, most stations have connections.
I just went up to the Tip [
Cape York] and we managed OK just used access when we had it. If it's for safety then get a SPOT.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:09
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:09
Hi VV
If you require daily internet, satellite is the only way to go. I was able to cope with preparing emails and checking emails internet based work when we got onto a town with Next G cover; this included running a (
farm) business. We travelled with a satellite phone for emergencies, getting parts in case of a remote area
breakdown, and occasional contact to family at
home. Family knew they could contact us in an emergency too.
Australian Nomad Technology is one provider of satellite internet
services, but it is not cheap.
Motherhen
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: VroomVroom - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:18
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:18
thanks MH
i will need satellite then
I could be in the middle of nowhere and i will need to download data plus have access to emails at least once a day
pity there wasnt a better way for us
thankyou
FollowupID:
792857
Reply By: equinox - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:34
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 22:34
I took a Bgan system out with me into the desert in 2010.
I mentioned a few times on here before. 1 month cost me about $1000 to hire and about the same for download charges.
That was 3 years ago so probably better options out there now.
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Reply By: SDG - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 23:02
Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 23:02
Makes one wonder what one did while travelling before the computer. lol
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 07:16
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 07:16
Simply enjoyed oneself Simply. lol
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Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 07:49
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 07:49
Yep I have to agree with you guys on that one.
Going to getaway for a month shortly & the phone will most definitely be off & the email
pests will get an out of office reply.
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Follow Up By: olcoolone - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 09:59
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 09:59
Same could be said for 24hr convenience stores, fuel refilling points and mobile fridge/freezers......
Years ago fuel refilling points were few and far between, now people panic if they can,t get fuel with in 200km..... shops use to close at 5pm Monday to Friday and not open until Monday morning, look at the line up at the shops if the are closing for 3 days...... and mobile fridge/freezers, how did we survive..... and what about the beer.
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Follow Up By: Member -Pinko (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 11:20
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 11:20
I know this thread is sliding sideways but there is little comparison to the way we used to travel.
I am now 71yo. and before I was 19 my dad would take myself and a mate on trips.
A very powerfull 1200cc. vw kombi or an ex ambulance straight six dodge with canvas sling seats. Powdered milk and a canvas
coolgardie safe to stop the butter turning to oil. No bowsers, fuel pumped from 44's etc,etc.Lived of the land for fresh meat like kangaroo or turkey.
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Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 14:08
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 14:08
The age of the Borg is upon us. Can't stand to be disconnected and absolutely useless without Google.
My mobile phone stays
home where it belongs and if we need it we use the sat phone or UHF to call for help etc. Anything else including WW3 can wait until we get
home. Ahh The solituide and remotemness with just my best mate (wife 43 years) and myself.
Love it
Phil
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Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 08:08
Reply By: snow - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 10:15
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 10:15
Currently looking at bgan explorer 500 for connectivity. Quoted circa 4K for 4 months including some data.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Candace S. - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 14:51
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 14:51
I'm curious why you need this access? Is it for business? Or just can't bear to be off the
grid while you're out there?
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Follow Up By: VroomVroom - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 16:44
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 16:44
I require it for business otherwise i couldnt get away to have a trip to begin with , and i want to
check online mapping
tools while out there.
not rich enough to retire unfortunately.
:)
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Follow Up By: Candace S. - Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 07:39
Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 07:39
I see,
well the business comm's are one thing, but that's some mighty expensive data time to look at maps!
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 08:00
Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 08:00
What online mapping
tools do you need? Surely OziExplorer would be a cheaper mapping option in the circumstances?
Cheers
| J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member My Profile My Blog Send Message |
FollowupID:
792933
Follow Up By: VroomVroom - Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 08:37
Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 08:37
yes i am playing with OziExplorer . maybe i will have to put up with just using big antennas and NexG and suppliers will have to wait to get paid a few days longer while i am between towns
( I will be camped in some
places for days - weeks while exploring geological anomalies ) :)
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Reply By: outbackjoe - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 18:14
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 18:14
Satellite setup is the only option if you need 100% coverage, satellite phone is way too expensive for data.
Problem with satellite, apart from setup costs of a few grand, is that it might take you an hour or something to set up. Every time you use it it requires meticulous alignment with a satellite which can be a pain in the backside sometimes.
Otherwise get telstra and an external aerial, stay within the coverage maps according to telstra website, and plan to be offline when you are travelling in areas with no coverage.
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Reply By: Echucan Bob - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 01:34
Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 01:34
The options include
Telstra, and
Optus. Unless you are subsidized it looks like the hardware might cost up to 3k$. The Optus plan looks vastly more affordable than Telstra, and once you reach your monthly data limit, is throttled. Telstra, OTOH, tap into your mortgage and bill $ per byte.
Bob
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Daisy G - Thursday, Jul 11, 2013 at 16:53
Thursday, Jul 11, 2013 at 16:53
For your issue, you do not only require the signal cover, but also require the saving of traffic.
Why not
check whether there are some midway station which for your food or power restore, to see whether it provide internet access there.
AnswerID:
514628