pretty comprehensive info here:
whatphone.com.au/sim-only-byo-plans/kogan-mobile-plan-review-and-comparison
they are now using the Vodafone network (which apparently has improved a lot over the past few years), their network coverage can be seen here:
www.vodafone.com.au/network/coverage-checker
bandwidth and coverage aren't going to match Telstra (who still have the best network), but it's a lot cheaper.
if you have specific questions, the best forum is Whirlpool:https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2696518
Just be careful as the Telstra coverage on ALDI mobile & other virtual carriers that use the Telstra network as it's not the same as going direct with Telstra as they are going through Telstra Wholesale not Telstra Retail.
Coverage for Telstra Wholesale:
www.telstrawholesale.com.au/products/mobiles/coverage.html
Telstra Retail Coverage:
www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our-coverage
I just signed up with a Telstra Mx Sim Only Plan 39mth 15gb data & unlimited calls & txt not bad for Telstra considering I used to pay 60 bucks for much less.
Not to say ALDI is not a good offering but I do a lot of regional travel and you don't get the same highway coverage for example.
I can vouch for Kogan. This is my second year with them and no problems at all. As a family we have 4 sims with them. Cheap as chips and keep getting more data. Down side is no international capability. I get better reception than a colleague with Telstra when at work.
Really no complaints here.
Just want to add that I am a city dweller so can't make much comment on rural reception except that when bringing my boat from Esperance I had very comparable reception to a crew member with Telstra.
I was not clear enough in my first post.
I am not looking for a provider, l am thinking of purchasing a new phone from Kogan.
I use optus in town and telstra mobile wifi on the boat. I am happy with them.
My old phone needs replacement and Kogan is offering the same phone - A7 galaxy - for half price than anyone else.
I was wondering, what is the catch in this deal. Are the phones the same or the offer is a crooked one with hidden agendas or faults.
Some say the phones are European! What does that mean. Aren't all phones the same. I am a child as far as modern electronics are concerned.
Could someone enlighten me, please?
what you need to look into is which GSM bands are supported by the phone. most current phones support a range of bands to enable global roaming to work, and European multi-band phones are generally compatible with Australian networks.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_frequency_bandshttps://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/Mobile_Phone_Frequencies
www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
One of the problems with an overseas phone (if that is what Kogan are offering) is that the phone's bootloader MAY be locked to a particular overseas telco, in which case you might not be able to update the firmware or the OS.
To answer your question, no, not all phones around the world are the same even if they have the same nomenclature.
yes, it is important to ensure that the phone is not locked to a specific carrier. some phones can be unlocked later, but it's best to avoid this hassle...
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
I was not clear enough in my first post.
I am not looking for a provider, l am thinking of purchasing a new phone from Kogan.
I use optus in town and telstra mobile wifi on the boat. I am happy with them.
My old phone needs replacement and Kogan is offering the same phone - A7 galaxy - for half price than anyone else.
I was wondering, what is the catch in this deal. Are the phones the same or the offer is a crooked one with hidden agendas or faults.
Some say the phones are European! What does that mean. Aren't all phones the same. I am a child as far as modern electronics are concerned.
Could someone enlighten me, please?
I just bought a new Samsung from them & couldn't be happier.
I just slipped my Telstra sim card in & all works great. I did get a Kogan pre paid sim as part of the deal but have no need for it ....... yet!!
Now that is good info and advise!
Thank you.
Looks like Kogan is selling unlocked phones.
How could one learn what frequencies Optus or Telstra are using ? I wonder if that is googleable?
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
Now that is good info and advise!
Thank you.
Looks like Kogan is selling unlocked phones.
How could one learn what frequencies Optus or Telstra are using ? I wonder if that is googleable?
As per our conversation earlier today I use mine with Optus and it also worked with vinniphone in Vietnam.
Select to expand quotefishmonkey said..
yes, it is important to ensure that the phone is not locked to a specific carrier. some phones can be unlocked later, but it's best to avoid this hassle...
If the bootloader is locked to a particular telco it can not be unlocked, it is a completely different thing to being network locked, which can be unlocked.
