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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<a href="http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/mobile-broadband/prepaid-mobile-broadband/">http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/mobile-broadband/prepaid-mobile-broadband/</a><br>
<br>
Done this before?<br>
<br>
Regards Roland<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Jan 15, 2011 at 7:17 PM, Kevork Krozian <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:kevork@edulists.com.au">kevork@edulists.com.au</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-AU"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Hi Roland,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> Yes be careful of roaming . Charging for roaming has become obscene.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">In Sep 2009 I travelled to the Middle East and decided to use Telstra roaming. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">In Palestine I was charged USD60 for a 30 sec call with one carrier whereas an alternative carrier charged less than USD2.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">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.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">We settled for $200 .</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Take Care and beware</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Kevork Krozian</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Edulists Creator Administrator</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><a href="http://www.edulists.com.au" target="_blank">www.edulists.com.au</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">tel: 0419 356 034</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p><div style="border-width: 1pt medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(181, 196, 223) -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; padding: 3pt 0cm 0cm;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="EN-US">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;" lang="EN-US"> <a href="mailto:offtopic-bounces@edulists.com.au" target="_blank">offtopic-bounces@edulists.com.au</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:offtopic-bounces@edulists.com.au" target="_blank">offtopic-bounces@edulists.com.au</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Roland Gesthuizen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, 15 January 2011 6:41 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:offtopic@edulists.com.au" target="_blank">offtopic@edulists.com.au</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [Offtopic] mobile roaming and travel sims</span></p></div>
<div class="im"><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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.<br clear="all">
<br>-- <br>Roland Gesthuizen - eLearning Coordinator - Keysborough Secondary College<br><br>"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</p>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Roland Gesthuizen - eLearning Coordinator - Keysborough Secondary College<br><br>"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<br>