Until now I've taken an
ad hoc approach to internet usage.
In Sydney I've managed for the past three years to sponge off an unreliable open network - and felt guilty for it - but no alternatives were available. The owner of that network finally closed the loophole a week ago.
In Brisbane I've been using a wifi ISP called MyPort whose prices are astronomical. I think I was paying $40.00 per Gb and it had to be used within a month, which anyone can see is highway robbery.
But technology moves on and apparently there are finally some usable options. The best deal seems to be through Optus, where I can purchase a tiny pocket 4G wifi router for $99.00 delivered. It can connect up to 10 devices at a time to the internet and comes with the first 5Gb of data included.
The catch with most of these services was always the monthly fees. If you are out of the country, or out of wifi range, then your accrued Gb are forfeited and your SIM card expires unless you top up monthly.
But Optus now have a 365 day option similar to the system I use on the mobile phone. In short, you can buy 15Gb up front for $130.00 and it doesn't expire for a whole year. I'll be ordering this one as soon as I can get aboard Shenoa again.
4G Portable WiFi Modem - Prepaid Mobile Broadband - Optus
http://smb.optus.com.au/opfiles/Shop..._1114_V4_D.pdf
For once, a sensible option for cruisers without a home base. And for the future I can envisage wifi devices that alert a yacht owner of a dragging anchor via the internet becoming an affordable possibility as well.
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