VirginMobile v Telstra Plans

[cactus]

Have been with Vodafone for the past two years and need to get out ...

Looking at either VirginMobile (who are apparently on the Optus network) or Telstra.

VirginMobile = $59 (including handset) and plenty of $ of calls/unlimited SMS, 3GB of data
Telstra = $84 (including handset), same as above except only 1.5GB of data

I dont work FIFO or anything like that, so rarely need coverage out in the sticks. I currently live in Forrestfield, and want to be able to answer the phone inside my house and not have to worry about calls dropping or have no reception at all. I know Telstra is #1, but just wondering how decent VirginMobile actually is.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

[Brett_J]

You said it yourself, Telstra is Number 1
I was polite to the lady on the phone and got more data for free.
Even if you don't live in the sticks or work FIFO, theres always a chance you'll be out of the city and Telstra is king in regards to coverage outside of Perth.

[Macca]

Would only ever use telstra for mobile coverage

[DanWA]

kogan $29 (monthly) $25 (yearly)

unlimited mobile/local/std/sms & 6GB data on telstra network

[Alt_F4]

Virgin = Optus network.
Optus's coverage is fine, and at least you don't get random indians from telstra trying to upsell you every week.

[Cochee]

Virgin = Optus network.
Optus's coverage is fine, and at least you don't get random indians from telstra trying to upsell you every week.

I've been with Telstra the last few years and have been very happy.

Never once had a call like that and when I have had a problem/question I have always spoken to an Australian.

[Alt_F4]

Never once had a call like that and when I have had a problem/question I have always spoken to an Australian.
Lucky, that was half the reason I left Telstra.
I was with Telstra for 2 years after switching from Optus (this was 7-8 years ago).

Switched back as soon as my contract was up, coverage was identical around metro and greater perth area, although when I was living in Mt Pleasant I had no coverage with Telstra.
Have been with Optus for ~13 years total and always been happy, Telstra can suck a dick as far as I'm concerned, treated me like shit.

[regi]

I can't speak about telstra but I'm with virgin (swapped from vodaphone 2 years ago) and never had any issues with coverage in the metro area.

[DRKWRX]

changed from 3 to Telstra last thursday.. its like I moved out of the stone age into the future! have had good 3g coverage up in Roleystone/brookdale/byford so far, worth the extra dollars in my opinion!

[Brett_J]

With a decent phone you should also get 4G coverage in Forrestfield as well, I get it at work - Welshpool 4 bars, and all the way to home in Kenwick 1-2 bars.
That's with a decent phone - Sony Xperia Z, which shits on anything else aerial wise.

Telstra have never tried upselling me anything, I've even got my phone swapped mid contract as not been happy with the actual unit, not faulty, but didn't perform coverae wise like I wanted, swapped me a HTC a few days later.

The reason the others offer bulk shit with their plans is they know they can't compete coverage wise.

[ED40]

Have you checked out JBHIFI? They do Telstra plans with new phones for $60/month

[gazza750]

tele choice have decent plans and they use Telstra
But personally have always been with Telstra may cost more but that is what ya have to do to have better coverage as I am bush quite a lot

[Sebdullah]

Im just in wattle grove, with optus, had the occasional crackly call but they have been better lately

[disc0-dan]

kogan $29 (monthly) $25 (yearly)

unlimited mobile/local/std/sms & 6GB data on telstra network

Unfortunately Kogan do not use the NextG network, only the 3G network so coverage and data is not what a Telstra customer will experience. You will especially notice the difference in congested and rural area's.

[disc0-dan]

tele choice have decent plans and they use Telstra
But personally have always been with Telstra may cost more but that is what ya have to do to have better coverage as I am bush quite a lot

Tele choice are an Optus dealer, they dont deal in Telstra services.

Fonezone on the other hand are Telstra dealers and their pricing is identical to Telstra when it comes to contractionary services.

[apg39]

Unfortunately Kogan do not use the NextG network, only the 3G network so coverage and data is not what a Telstra customer will experience. You will especially notice the difference in congested and rural area's.

^This. Many people unsatisfied with the coverage they get with Kogan only to find out it's not the full monty. And their 'fair use' policy is questionable, few stories of people being booted for using alot of data/calls.