Hi,

Depending on how much speed you need, you can get 5GB at normal 4G speeds, and then shaped down to 1.5Mbps unlimited each month for $15/month from from Telstra. I find it perfectly adequate for remote working, but it depends on your bandwidth needs. See the XS plan below (introduced in October last year). I just coupled it with an old ZTE Smart Fit 4G phone that is on all the time, providing the wifi connection, and it works fine. I presume (but haven't tested it works) in the 4GX device:

https://www.telstra.com.au/help/critical-information-summaries/personal/mobile-broadband/mobile-broadband-plans/telstra-data-plans



From: luv-main <luv-main-bounces@luv.asn.au> on behalf of Mark Trickett via luv-main <luv-main@luv.asn.au>
Sent: Saturday, 28 March 2020 8:37 PM
To: luv-main@luv.asn.au <luv-main@luv.asn.au>
Subject: Re: Telstra 4GX Hotspot vs 4GX Wi-Fi Pro
 
Hello Russell,

On 3/28/20, Russell Coker via luv-main <luv-main@luv.asn.au> wrote:
> On Friday, 27 March 2020 11:14:41 AM AEDT stripes theotoky via luv-main
> wrote:
>> I have the following question: I need to get a mobile broadband hotspot.
>> Currently the telstra website shows the 4GX hotspot at $149 and the 4GX
>> Wi-Fi Pro at $119. However, when clicking on buy online for the 4GX
>
> The cheapest new Android phone that Kogan offers is $159.  Second hand
> phones
> are cheaper.  Why do you want a dedicated Wifi device when you could get a
> phone that does it as well as other things?

There have been cases of the phone being "ported" to a different
mobile service provider, and the phone being stripped of personal
data. It may be not common, but it is a real risk. There are also
issues about the durability of the various devices. My mobile is a
Nokia 6120-c, and is still locked to the Telstra network. It can do
the Internet, but the screen is way too small, and while it will do
bluetooth, I have a Telstra 4GX Advanced III, with the cradle, and
that does both WiFi, and has ethernet ports. The local mobile tower is
now nominally 4G, but the speeds are very variable. I am about 1,000
meters from the mobile phone tower where my copper pair ends, but
there is not the equipment to support wired ADSL, which would be my
preference after fiber to the home. I will say that the 4GX with
cradle is an effective solution where you do not want to be tied to
the phone, but the quota is small without paying more, and itis no
longer possible to share the data between the phone and another mobile
device. I have 5 Gig + 5 Gig now, and 40 Gig on the phone I cannot
touch. The phone makes and takes calls, does SMS/MMS and takes photos.
I will not do Internet browsing on a less than 50mm screen. When I do
update the phone, I will want a Purism Librem phone, but I will need
to be able to afford. I will also choose to lock the sim to the phone
company, so that changing will require a visit in person,
inconvenient, but a measure of security.

Regards,

Mark Trickett
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