[Offtopic] mobile roaming and travel sims

[Roland Gesthuizen]

Thanks Clarky and Kevork, you are both right .. I might leave wireless to
the iPad and laptop for when we need it and put the smart phone off the
radar. Am now considering looking into buying cheap prepaid sims and or
phones for both USA and Europe using this whilst we are there. From memory
we can pick these up for about $30.

I am curious about mobile access point plans for cheap internet across the
states and later across Europe. My thought was along the lines of the USB
powered, prepaid mobile broadband dongles (one to two month contracts). I
was able to get some good hotel deals by surfing online whilst on the road
and doing my homework, pain was driving about until I could find a free
wireless access point. I wonder if there is a USA equivalent or the like for
the following dongles.

http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/mobile-broadband/prepaid-mobile-broadband/

Done this before?

Regards Roland

On Sat, Jan 15, 2011 at 7:17 PM, Kevork Krozian <kevork at edulists.com.au>wrote:

> Hi Roland,
>
>
>
> Yes be careful of roaming . Charging for roaming has become obscene.
>
> In Sep 2009 I travelled to the Middle East and decided to use Telstra
> roaming.
>
> In Palestine I was charged USD60 for a 30 sec call with one carrier whereas
> an alternative carrier charged less than USD2.
>
> When I got back I had about 1 hour of calls in both directions in total and
> got a bill for $1200. I refused to pay.
>
> My defence was that I had enquired what it would cost to roam before I left
> and did not get a specific answer apart from – not much and it depends where
> you go.
>
> When I mentioned the 5 countries I would travel through I was told it
> depends on the carriers. When I asked which carriers are the best to use I
> was told they wouldn’t vary much.
>
> We settled for $200 .
>
>
>
> Take Care and beware
>
>
>
> Kevork Krozian
>
> Edulists Creator Administrator
>
> www.edulists.com.au
>
> tel: 0419 356 034
>
>
>
> *From:* offtopic-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> offtopic-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Roland Gesthuizen
> *Sent:* Saturday, 15 January 2011 6:41 PM
> *To:* offtopic at edulists.com.au
> *Subject:* [Offtopic] mobile roaming and travel sims
>
>
>
> What is the best way to keep in touch with home with a mobile phone whilst
> overseas without blowing up my bank account? Use my old smartphone, buy a
> travel SIM or just buy a cheap phone over the counter. Mobile data would be
> nice on my laptop or iPad but I can just lurk around free wi-fi spots if it
> is heaps cheaper (mobile access point?). Our family will be traveling in the
> USA for 4 weeks and around Europe for 8 weeks from Australia.
>
> --
> Roland Gesthuizen - eLearning Coordinator - Keysborough Secondary College
>
> "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
> change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret
> Mead
>
> _______________________________________________
> offtopic mailing list
> offtopic at edulists.com.au
> http://www.edulists.com.au/mailman/listinfo/offtopic
>
>


-- 
Roland Gesthuizen - eLearning Coordinator - Keysborough Secondary College

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.edulists.com.au/pipermail/offtopic/attachments/20110115/4e0d63b8/attachment.html