Virgin is probably a really good choice, also look at Optus, Voda . Some of the resellers might be doing good deals too, look at Pennytel, Exetel maybe some others like crazyjohns may do some decent deals.. Whirlpool.net.au is the best for finding the latest deals..

Vodafone seem useless for mobile data, only doing packs for post-paid (eg contract) plans. Don't see any point in paying for a contract when I already have a phone.

Are Optus/Virgin OK for VOIP over 3G now? I know they got their knickers in a twist before, but I've got a working SIP client on the phone and it seems a sensible direction would be a long expiry plan with some data for calls/access when out of range of wifi.

Pennytel seems a mess, with separation between plans for voice/text provision and data.

I wonder how long will it take them to catch up with the norm elsewhere? I can use more than 40MB per day, for free, in the UK - provided I do a bit of topping up. In Aus they think that 50MB a month is acceptable...

Me, husband and first born are all with Virgin and have never had any problems like that Wol As someone else said, have you checked with the Virgin help desk to see if there's a short term problem with your area? We do occasionally lose signal at home but that's down to where our house is on the hillside.

I've checked with Virgin but they are not much help. The multiple cut-outs I had over Christmas were mostly on Sydney harbour, where the signal is 110%, too!

There is a thread on Whirlpool about drop outs in Newcastle but that doesnt answer your question I guess.