Telstra ups data allowance for pre-paid Next G

You must have read a different article to me..
Customers must use the new 3GB allowance within 90 days and the 4GB allowance within 180 days of use before credit expires.

'So news that the telco has increased the value of its Next G pre-paid wireless broadband recharge data allowances'

Since when has there been anything of VALUE that Bigpond has offered. It is still the most overpriced, over rated company in the broadband market. They still try to claim speeds of 21mbps when in actual fact the max is about 8mbps. They might have better coverage areas in general, but there Customer Service is probably the worst in the country (except maybe DODO).

I don't understand what the customer is actually paying for here. Being that it is Telstra Infrastructure, what would be considered as their 'Wholesale' costs, are in fact very small. Significantly smaller than other companies like Virgin, who have to buy their 3G from Optus. Yet Virgin can provide a much better VALUE service. Much cheaper prices. Much more download quota and 1 million times better Customer Service.

Optus & Virgin may not quite be up there with coverage or speed, but who on a 3G platform really needs speed? As long as you can get close to the 1.5mbps its more than enough (think of it as a trade off for mobility). Its not like you can play computer or console games on it. The lag is just too ridiculous. I know that using Skype on a 3G iPhone with Virgin runs perfectly well when in 3G coverage.

The market here should be concentrating on coverage and pricing. If you can get the most coverage and offer the best prices, then you don't need the international ground breaking speeds that Telstra are trying to achieve. 3G should be a secondary product for people who need mobility.

If you need fast speeds and big download quotas, then a fixed line solution is the way to go. Unfortunately, due to Australia being the Western Worlds backwater of internet technology that Telstra has created, many normal households have to resort to 3G broadband just to get an internet connection. This will not stop until Telstra stop installing Pair Gain Systems, RIM's & Sub-Exchanges where they are not required, just to save a few dollars on copper.

Try using a wireless connection outside of any major centre and see what you get!

@Paul - good point. The information from Telstra would seem to be incorrect - we're following up on it now and will amend accordingly.

Thank you for trying to clarify things, Trevor.

My confusion is around Telstra's thinking that the same volume of data is going to cost them more to process($60/3Gb/30days v $130/3Gb/90days) when it is transmitted over a longer duration.

Rubbish, data is not like a fine wine that matures as it ages!

Further on the 3Gig options, If Tel$tra wished to justify that running the account for 90 days instead of 30 explains the greater cost.

Then the cost of administering an account for one month must be covered by the $20 225MB plan.
3G/30days + one month + one month.
$60 + $20 + $20 =$100

$100 vs $130, and a bonus 450MB

Hmm, so that doesnt work out either, data doesnt have a real shelf life either. I know! maybe like premixed drinks theres a higher tax rate as your percentage goes up???
If it looks like telstra is offering a good deal... look closer.

Look closer at the join up 1G offer, its been possible in the past to accept that with $2 prepaid sims, then throw them away after the bonus has been used, and get another SIM.