Telstra revised recharge allowances will provide better value for money for mobile broadband users

It has been announced that communications and broadband giant Telstra has revised its recharge allowances to enable mobile broadband users to enjoy better value for money.

Communications and broadband giant Telstra has recently announced that it is going to be offering better value for money to mobile broadband users by revising its recharge allowances. The company said that the changes to recharge allowances would help to further satisfy demand for mobile broadband services across Australia.

It is thought that the changes in recharge allowances will offer mobile broadband customers to enjoy data increases that range from between twelve percent and one hundred and fifty percent. The cost of the allowances will vary from twenty dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars.

The changes will apparently offer broadband users far better value for money, a much wider choice of expire periods for their convenience, bonus credit to make standard national calls, and a range of other benefits that are designed to make things easier, more convenient, and more flexible for mobile broadband customers.

Telstra Consumer Executive Director Rebekah O’Flaherty said: “Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband is a great choice for people who want to keep track of what they’re spending month to month as there are no bills or fixed term contracts. Couple this with the speed and reliability of Telstra’s Next GTM network – the largest and fastest national mobile broadband network in Australia – and you’ve got an attractive solution for customers at home and on the move.” She added: “Telstra’s Elite Pre-Paid modem is the fastest 3G Pre-Paid mobile broadband modem in Australia. Additionally, our new mobile Wi-Fi option shares a Next GTM network connection with up to five devices simultaneously. And because they’re Pre-Paid, there’s no fixed term contract or monthly spend commitments.”

Telstra finally gets Wi-Fi modem

Telstra has launched its Pre-Paid Mobile Wi-Fi modem, which will compete with Vodafone's Pocket WiFi modem and Virgin Mobile's Wi-Fi modem.

The portable Wi-Fi hotspot can connect up to five devices simultaneously and is compatible with both Windows and Mac platforms. It is the first Wi-Fi modem available through Telstra; both Vodafone and Virgin Mobile have similar devices on the market. Unlike Telstra's Ultimate USB modem, which is capable of theoretical speeds of up to 42Mbps, the Wi-Fi modem is a 7.2Mbps device. Telstra says a similar wireless device capable of 21Mbps speeds should launch in early 2011.

The Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile Wi-Fi modem will sell for $149 on a Telstra prepaid data plan, and will officially be available in Telstra stores on 26 October. A starter pack will include 5GB of data with a 90-day expiry period.

Telstra also unveiled a new Elite Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband modem ($129) and announced its prepaid mobile Christmas line-up. Among the new smartphones to hit the shelves by the end of October are the Nokia C6 ($299), Nokia C5 ($199), the LG Craze ($149), the Samsung S5510 ($129) and the Samsung Galaxy 5 ($199). The Galaxy 5 is a Telstra exclusive and the cheapest Android-powered smartphone to launch in Australia.

Telstra Ultimate USB modem

Though so much depends on where you use it, the Ultimate USB modem has the potential to be faster than a fixed-line ADSL connection and doesn't cost much more than any other Telstra wireless broadband modem.Design

Design

If this is Telstra's ultimate broadband modem then we have to say it certainly looks the part. The square body of the modem is constructed from a stiff, smooth plastic — a noticeable departure from the feel of flimsy plastic dongles in play in the mobile broadband space at this time.
The modem connects to systems via a rotatable USB connection, capable of turning about 270 degrees and of folding up vertically. This gives you a bit of flexibility in how you position the modem during use, but we also found it to be a bit rickety, as it wobbles gently when touched. We found it possible to disconnect the modem simply by knocking it — not the best idea for a device designed to be used away from desks and office spaces.
Like most mobile broadband modems, the Telstra Ultimate is powered via the USB connection. Under a removable panel you'll find a SIM card slot and a space for a microSD memory card, which is handy if you want the modem to double as a memory stick for backups.

Performance

As you probably know, the major drawcard for the Telstra Ultimate is its theoretical maximum throughput of 42Mbps. If this were possible, this would give users a connection to the internet twice as fast as is currently available via a fixed-line ADSL2+ connection. It is, however, almost impossible to achieve this theoretical maximum, with Telstra only advertising a practical (and enormous) range of 1.1Mbps to 20Mbps in select metro areas, and 550Kbps-8Mbps just about everywhere else.
We've tested the performance of this modem in a number of locations around Sydney and achieved results well within this practical range. Our test results varied between 6Mbps and 10Mbps, with a peak result of 12.01Mbps. This is outstanding for a mobile broadband modem, but how does it translate into real-world use?
The other major component of internet performance to watch closely is latency. Latency refers to the speed it takes for the network to send and receive a packet of data to the destination. On a typical, fixed-line ADSL2+ connection we saw latency of about 30ms, which should deliver decent online performance for those with high-traffic internet applications in mind, like fast-paced online gaming.
The Telstra Ultimate struggled somewhat to deliver a comparable result. While the data throughput was on par with or greater than the fixed-line connection we tested against, the latency was double at a minimum, with serious blowouts in the 300-500ms ranges. There are a lot of factors that contribute to these results, but if you were unfortunate enough to suffer similar circumstances while trying to play an online game, you would suffer a serious setback in your frag count.
For everyone else, the Telstra Ultimate will deliver an outstanding internet experience. Speedtest.net estimates this connection will download a 5MB MP3 file in five seconds and a 35MB video file in 31 seconds. Anecdotally, the Telstra Ultimate rips through web pages, pulling down even data-heavy sites in a timely fashion.

Overall

Compared with mobile broadband solutions offered by the other major telcos, the Telstra Next G network just got a whole lot more appealing thanks to the availability of this modem. For road warriors, students and anyone else who needs internet on the go, the Telstra Ultimate stands head and shoulders beyond what is available from anyone else in Australia. The performance we've seen from this modem is at least on par with most fixed-line home ADSL connections, though gamers would be wise to test latency at home before committing to this service for a long period of time.

• Good: Super-fast data transfers • Solid feeling modem • Rotating USB connection
• Bad: USB port rattles when jiggled • Network experiences latency blowouts
• Specs: USB • See more specifications
• RRP: AU$299.00

Telstra Ultimate USB modem

by Ross Catanzariti (Good Gear Guide)

Telstra's Ultimate USB Modem is claimed to be the world's first dual channel HSPA USB modem, promising typical download speeds of up to 20 megabits per second (Mbps) and a theoretical maximum download speed of 42Mbps. Targeted at companies with a mobile workforce who require speedy mobile broadband, the Ultimate USB Modem is definitely fast, but the speed comes at a hefty premium compared to rival offerings.

The Telstra Ultimate USB Modem is larger than regular mobile broadband devices, including Telstra's own Turbo 21 Modem but its connector doesn't hinder access to nearby USB ports. The device is slim, with two antenna ports available on top and LED lights denoting power and data traffic. The USB connector can rotate and swivel, so it can be positioned at the side of your notebook in a variety of ways.

As well as a SIM card slot the Telstra Ultimate USB Modem includes a microSD card slot to allow the device to double as a flash drive. The software required to run the modem is included on the modem itself; for Windows users, the installer will automatically open, while Mac users simply double-click the file that appears on the desktop the first time the modem is plugged in. At this stage, Telstra says the Ultimate USB Modem does not support Linux. Telstra's Connection Manager software allows you to access session information, including sent and received data, 3G/HSDPA indicators and signal strength — it's minimalist and easy to use.

Though the device has a potential maximum download speed of 42Mbps, Telstra says the Ultimate USB Modem should provide "typical" speeds of between 1.1Mbps and 20Mbps. The speed will depend on a number of factors including time, location, network coverage, signal strength and congestion.

The speeds we encountered in an office environment in North Sydney were around 13Mbps — an excellent speed when compared to competitors, and very impressive for a wireless device. Keep in mind, though, that these faster speeds are only are available within five kilometres of all major metropolitan cities, and in 100 regional areas across Australia. Telstra estimates that 50 per cent of the Australian population has access to the faster dual channel speeds provided by the Ultimate USB Modem.

During testing, we were able to achieve speeds of up to 18Mbps, though speed regularly fluctuated between 5Mbps and 14Mbps. Despite the theoretical maximum 42Mbps downlink, typical upload speeds are between 300 kilobits per second (kbps) and 3Mbps. It took us just 4min 22sec to download a 101.8MB iTunes file, and using PC World's Broadband speed test, we achieved results as low as 6.2Mbps and as high as 18Mbps. We even managed to achieve speeds of up to 150 kilobytes per second when downloading files using BitTorrent.

The Telstra Ultimate USB Modem will initially be sold to enterprise and government users, but will be available for regular business customers through Telstra retail outlets from 5 October; a consumer launch will follow "later this year." The USB modem is available for $0 upfront for $69 per month over 24 months, providing 6GB of data for month. The device will also sell for $299 outright.

Telstra launches world’s fastest national mobile broadband service

Australian communications giant Telstra has launched the world’s fastest mobile broadband service with the launch of the Telstra Ultimate USB Modem. It has been reported that Australians can now enjoy access to the world’s fastest mobile broadband services, and this comes after the recent launch of the Telstra Ultimate USB Modem, which has been launched across Australia’s capital city as well as associated airports and more than one hundred regional centres.
The new Telstra Ultimate USB Modem is up to twice as fast as the company’s existing fastest Next G modem. It will offer typical download speeds that will range from 1.1Mbps to 20Mbps depending on the area. Two thousand devices were recently launched for Telstra business customers, and this comes prior to the widespread launch of the new modem later this year.
Telstra Business Group Managing Director, Deena Shiff said: “Australians are telling us they can’t afford to be tied to the desk all day and these new speeds mean they can now access mobile broadband at speeds typically reserved for the office.”
She added: “We have been deploying the high-speed capability in the network since December 2009 and now, with the launch of the new Ultimate USB Modem, these new speeds are available to customers across all capital city CBDs and associated airports, selected metropolitan areas and in more than 100 regional locations. These high-speed zones cover approximately 50 per cent of the Australian population and match the areas of highest customer demand and will make the frustration of waiting around for files to download a thing of the past. In other metropolitan and regional areas, the Telstra Ultimate USB Modem offers typical download speeds ranging from 550kbps up to 8Mbps, which is still significantly faster than Telstra’s mobile broadband competitors.”
Source – Telstra

Telstra tests ‘Ultimate’ Next G modem

In this video, Telstra wireless engineer, Jared King, speed tests the telco’s Ultimate USB modem around Melbourne. The modem isn’t on sale yet, but when it is released it should provide a significant speed boost through its use of dual-carrier technology.
The device will allow Telstra customers to send and receive wireless data using two channels simultaneously, with the telco claiming it allows peak network downlink speeds of 42Mbps, although actual customer speeds will be lower.

New wireless technology set to double Internet speed

Regional Australians will be among the first to experience Telstra’s latest advance in Australia’s fastest national mobile broadband speeds when Telstra launches a new mobile device enabling the doubling of data speeds over the Next G™ network later this year. Telstra CEO David Thodey said that 100 regional towns and cities including Albury, Alice Springs, Orange, Broome, Ballarat, Roxby Downs, Port Lincoln and Newcastle will benefit from the new 3G modem when it becomes available to customers.

Customers using the new device – the Telstra Ultimate USB – will be able to download files or surf the Internet up to twice as fast as those using the next-fastest 3G modem currently available on an Australian national network.

Mr Thodey made the announcement in a speech to community leaders in Albury to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Telstra Country Wideâ, which was launched in June 2000.

“Telstra will make this new technology available in 100 selected regional towns and cities at the same time as many capital cities, underlining our commitment to provide the best technology to Australians no matter where they live,” Mr Thodey said.

“Telstra has been investing in regional and rural Australia for more than 100 years, including through Telstra Country Wideâ for the past ten years, to improve the quality of life for people living and working in regional and rural Australia.

“The first decade of Telstra Country Wideâ is just the beginning. Telstra is committed to continuing its investment in regional and rural Australia so we can provide local consumers, businesses, governments, schools and health services with the same leading edge services that are available elsewhere in Australia,” he said.

Mr Thodey said that since the inception of Telstra Country Wide ten years ago –
- Telstra’s mobile phone coverage had expanded from around 800,000 to more than two million square kilometres, and now covered more than 99 per cent of the population
- Internet access speeds have increased from dialup rates of a few tens of kilobits per second to be typically 550kbps – 8Mbps in selected regional areas.*
- Telstra had invested more than two billion dollars in the Next Gä mobile network, with half of all towers located in regional Australia
- All Australians had obtained access to untimed local calls, including 28,000 Australians who did not have the service in 2000
- The number of Telstra offices in regional and rural areas had expanded from 30 to 50.

Mr Thodey also announced that the company had recently commissioned the company’s 7,000th Next Gä base station, expanding Australia’s fastest national mobile broadband network.

“The Next Gä network enables regional businesses to compete on the global stage, regionally-based health care professionals to offer remote diagnosis and monitoring, rural based schools to provide the same opportunities for regional and rural students as those in the city and environmental, and farming businesses to improve their productivity,” he said.

The tenth anniversary of Telstra Country Wideâ will be celebrated at events across Australia in coming months.

For more information visit: www.telstra.com.au/telstracountrywide

Telstra to launch new 3G modem for bush

Australians in regional areas are set to benefit from new, faster modem technology available later this year.

Telstra is set to launch a new USB 3G modem which will enable the doubling of data speeds over the Next-G network.

Telstra CEO David Thodey said that 100 regional towns and cities including Albury, Alice Springs, Orange, Broome, Ballarat, Roxby Downs, Port Lincoln and Newcastle will benefit from the device.

'Telstra will make the technology available in the selected regional towns and cities at the same time as many capital cities, underlining our commitment to provide the best technology to Australians no matter where they live,' Mr Thodey said.

The Telstra Ultimate USB is up to twice as fast as the top-of-the-range 3G modem currently available.

Mr Thodey made the announcement in a speech to community leaders in Albury to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Telstra Country Wide, which was launched in June 2000.

Telstra Boosts Next G’s Uplink Speed To 5.8Mbps

By Nick Broughall

You’ve got to give it to Telstra: Even though you pay for it dearly, their Next G network keeps advancing leaps and bounds beyond what any of the other networks have to offer. First there was the speed bump to 21Mbps download speeds, and now they’ve bumped up the upload speeds to 5.8Mbps.

Like the 21Mbps figure, the 5.8Mbps is only a theoretical maximum – in the real world you’re more likely to get speeds of 300Kbps to 3Mbps in capital cities, or up to 1Mbps everywhere else. For comparison, Optus’s HSPA network has a theoretical maximum of 2Mbps uplink, with real world speeds in metro areas varying between 150Kbps and 1.5Mbps (or 1.1Mbps in regional areas). Telstra reckon that this speed boost makes uploading stuff about 3 times faster than before.

The uplink speed boost will work with the Telco’s 21Mbps HSPA modem straight away with a firmware upgrade available from Sierra Wireless’ website, while other NextG and BigPond customers will have the update made available in the coming weeks.

[Telstra]