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Optus
This card comes dressed in “Optus yellow” so you won’t be losing it in a hurry. The device itself is an Option GT Fusion Quad card which accepts a 3G uSIM card and, unfortunately, only supports Windows.
Packaged in a DVD-style case with an additional inner plastic case for the card itself, the wireless card is delivered with a tiny folded A5 Quick Start Guide and a set-up CD (which floats loose in the case). While there is no external antenna supplied a suitable jack is available if one is required.
Installation simply could not be easier and the feature-rich control centre has the option of appearing as a window, toolbar or system-tray icon. The controls can launch your default web browser, email and VPN client. Other tools include connection statistics and a WLAN sniffer (utility program that captures packets going over a network). You can specify whether to connect to a network automatically or choose 3G, GPRS or WLAN connectivity through either Optus or Azure. Auto connection chooses in order of best service which, in this case, is defined as preferring Optus WiFi and then Azure WiFi, 3G and finally GPRS.
Coverage and plans
Optus’ 3G service is similar in breadth to that of 3’s though Optus covers Hobart and Darwin in favour of regional areas supported by 3. Additionally, Optus is able to offer a fallback service on its own GSM/GPRS network. As with other standard 3G services there is but a single service speed (384/128Kbps). Excess data costs are higher than other services but this is probably not a serious issue if you choose a sensible data limit; otherwise plan pricing is very similar to that of 3.
Performance
384Kbps is the nominal download speed, though we experienced an average of 234Kbps. We observed a high 184Kbps average with uploads (the nominal being 128); no other service manages uploads this fast. Our testing earlier this year scored 292/120Kbps which is more like we would expect—again confirming the high variability of this type of service. Availability scored perfectly and latency was average at 830ms. We did record a drop out in service during the afternoon but we suspect a fault in our equipment was responsible for that. Originally the Optus service was not configured to allow “pings” which confounded our testing, but Optus’ service department adjusted for this quite efficiently.
Overall, Optus offers very good and consistent service along with good software behind the hardware. Coverage is the main factor by which Optus falls behind Telstra but the 30-day coverage guarantee allows buyers to determine whether this is an issue. The additional option of connectivity to WiFi hotspots makes this product particularly interesting.