We're moving to Oz in February 2010 and yesterday, thanks to O2 my iphone became unlocked. Which providers offer the best iphone tariffs for Queensland and how much are they a month? Ideally I'd like a similar tariff to the one I have in the UK with unlimited web access but I'm aware that the Australia providers don't really do those?

Also, are there any PAYG tariffs which allow quite a lot of web access?

Hope someone can advise...

Ta,

Jen

I think the starting point is to look where your living and see which operators provide the best coverage in that area. If your out in the sticks, Telstra's Next G, whilst expensive, will provide the best coverage.

Really need to know if you'll be in the city or out and what type of calling you will do..

Try Telstra nextG prepaid (talk and text plan) $30 recharge gives you 100 mins and 100 texts and then you can use the $30 for other things e.g. $10 for 100mb data packs. This is the best for network for coverage and this is prepaid so you can try without a contract.

If you are in the Brisbane CBD mostly, look at Virgin (they use the Optus Network) or three if you use things like youtube a lot and need a lot of data.

Look at Pennytel if you want cheap international and add there data packs (they use Optus network).

Most people don't actually use a lot of data on there Iphones (or at least not as much as they think) you may well be ok with only 100 possibly 200mb a month.

Look at www.whirlpool.net.au for more advise.

Thanks for the info, we'll be in Toowoomba if this is any help!?

I really would suggest Telstra. They have NextG (3G 850Mhz) which the Iphone will work with.

Optus have 3G 2100Mhz in Toowoomba (which the Iphone will work with) however the surrounds are 3G 900 Mhz (yes G) which the iphone does not work with so browsing will go to standard 2G GPRS speeds (very slow) and the coverage will not be so good.

Vodafone will be 2G with EDGE which is a lot better than GPRS, but then their coverage is usually worse than Telstra or Optus.

If it was me, I would go Telstra prepaid and if that doesn't suit for data probably vodafone and use there 2G Edge network.

Oh and you can download the pennytel app from the iphone store and use your included Telstra minutes + 8c for the call to call the uk..

Skype peeps back home or get em to ring you on ya mobile
I have been using paygo virgin and $49 gives you $450 of credit or there abouts?

Wifes gonna get a contract with vodaphone for $70 and get $540 min with international calling included,$12 for iphone,$8 insurance

Burt at the mo,paygo virgin to virgin free is good for me,with 50mb tinternet free

Great, thanku, appreciate ur help

Just on Telstra website here, flip me the phone tariffs in Oz are complicated! GRRR

I have an iphone and am on Telstra. I wish I wasnt on Telstra, it is expensive, but the coverage is hands down the best and when you phone them for anything you get through to real people in Australia quickly. Pay for what you get me thinks.

Look for a cap plan which suits your needs. The $49 cap isnt bad at all. Then simply add on a browsing pack. So what you would need to do is to go into a telstra shop and get a SIM only Next G cap plan on 12 months. This is the minimum they will do. They will try to flog you a 24 month one - dont wear that there is no point you signing up to 2 years when you can sign up for 1.

Then you add on a browsing pack which suits your internet use. 300Meg is I think $29. I find thats just great for my emails, google maps and a bit of browsing, ebay, paypal etc. You can step up each month if you need to and change whenever you like. $59 gets you a gig. Just add that cost to your cap plan rate and you have the total.

You can keep an eye on your data usage online or from your phone directly.

Thanks Centurion, seems a little clearer now...

Does that cap not include any amount of texts?

I reckon prepaid with Telstra is a better bet.. than post paid caps http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/prepaid/latestoffers/ the data is the same cost. If you need more calls in the month you can topup before months end and best of all no contract and only $10pm committed minimum spend on the talk and text.. Telstra caps only seem to be reasonable if you want a subsidized phone...

Caps give you $ amounts to spend on calls and texts..

So everyone gets "thanks" instead of me!

Ill take my pre paid info with me then