In need of a little excess internet (prepaid?)

[Possum]

Does anyone know where I can get a little extra internet time to tide me over?

I'm trying to set up my business so I'm using more internet time than usual. I've just called Optus and upgraded from 4GB to 10GB for an extra $10/month but that won't take effect until the next billing cycle which is 22 days away. I'm already at 80% of my limit and it's not shaped, so I'm not looking forward to the ridiculous charges for going over my limit.

I am hoping to find some reasonably-priced internet for the next 3 weeks. Any ideas?

[pip]

How frustrating. I have just this morning gotten my full speed internet back after being shapped for the past week. We use our mobiles internet for those times. We are able to surf the internet on our laptop via the mobile internet allowance, but you can only do that we certain mobile phones (DH and I have Nokia N95 with our mobile internet through optus)

Optus are currently adveristing on their site pre-paikd mobile broad band for $69 including 1gig of data but not sure about contract details if there are any or how long it takes to set up. You can get most of the prepaid internet packages for stores like Dick Smith, Harvey Normans, Kmart, Target etc.

[~*Bron*~]

That's shocking service (and shocking prices). When I was shaped, I rang Westnet to upgrade and though they normally do it on the first of the month, I begged them and they upgraded the next day.

$69 for 1 gig??? I pay $34.95 for 5/7 gig. Though I was looking at engin the other day, and it looks interesting (to say the least). Going to start a thread on it right now (thanks for the reminder!)

oh, sorry, that wasn't much help, was it!

[pip]

The $69 for 1 gig includes the cost of the usb modem that you can then add $$ to for prepaid internet. Certainly not cheap though, but not bad if you want mobile internet.

Have to agree pretty poor service of Optus that they are making you wait, they should be able to set it up within 24hrs. Might be worth a call and see if they can help you out.

[Possum]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll give them another call to see if I can sweet-talk them. Might have to get the boys to sleep/stick them infront of a dvd before I do that.

If they won't help then I'll look aroung when I'm out today.

Ta bananas!

[~*Bron*~]

ah, gotcha pip. still, that usb modem probably costs about $2 a pop to produce

[pip]

Yep it is amazing the mark up they put on somethings. I love the fact that I can just plug my mobile into the laptop and surf the net via the internet that I pay for on my mobile phone. Still not cheap internet at $20 a month for a gig, but when you are stuck in hospital and need some sanity release it is brilliant

[Possum]

**UPDATE**

Thanks so much for the suggestions in this thread. I followed a few leads, but this morning I called Optus and kindly asked them if they could please upgrade me effective immediately. It took about half an hour of the call-centre-man asking supervisors and senior technichians for permission and help, but eventually I was called back and told that I had been upgraded instantly. It is back-dated to one week ago (beginning of the billing cycle) but that's fine with me. Much better than having to wait three weeks until the next billing cycle. Thanks again, especially Bron, for this little pearl:

I begged them and they upgraded the next day.

Now, what to do with 10GB of downloads? Hmmmmm.....

Apparently this was because I am an "esteemed customer" and because he didn't want me "to be upset". He was seriously lovely, even offering to call me back instead of having me on hold, because he could hear my kids in the background and wanted to free me up to look after my kids.

[twinmama]

Lol. I pay $60 a month and get 60gig!

[Possum]

Shameless bragging must be followed with a company name.