To be able to access 3G services on the go is becoming ever so important as more and more consumers favour working mobile. The on-the-go movement will only become more popular as the teenagers of today enter the workforce of tomorrow. Tech savvy workers are the employees of Australia’s tomorrow and not indulging their talent would mean going backwards in time.

CEO at Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA), Nigel Dews says regional customers can now enjoy 3G services at Vodafone’s great value prices. He said: “Vodafone is committed to investing in its network to make state-of-the-art 3G services more accessible and affordable.”

“Vodafone’s great value 3G services are now available to Australians living and working in regional cities and towns, as well as business travellers and holiday-makers who need to stay connected.”

“More Vodafone customers, in more places, can now get online on their mobile phone or laptop while they’re out and about, to keep up-to-date on emails, stay in-touch with friends and family via Facebook, MySpace or Twitter and blog, game or Google.”

Vodafone’s new network extension overview:

At a glance, Vodafone 3G can now be used:

• Extending out to Kununurra in WA.
• Extending to Port Douglas in Queensland.
• Extending to Devonport in Tasmania.

All over 94 per cent of the Australian population is able to access the network now. Previously before the upgrade Vodafone’s 3G coverage only reached 80 per cent of the Australian population.

Get the right gear:

You need to have a 3G 900Mhz mobile phones available on Vodafone prepaid or contract to access its 3G services. In total there are 18 of these on the market right now with more to be introduced in the future for sure. One such phone is the prepaid Nokia 6220 for $229.

Vodafone Prepaid Flexi Caps start at $29 (includes $300 total value)~ and give customers the freedom to spend their included Flexible Credit any way they like – on calls, txt, Internet browsing, instant messaging and downloading games or music.

Vodafone’s regional 2G network will now support EDGE technology as part of the new upgrade. This means that existing Vodafone customers with a 2G mobile phone can continue to access voice and txt services as normal and experience an increase in data speeds at the same time.

For more information and coverage maps, as well as compatible mobile phones and pricing details visit a Vodafone store or check online at www.vodafone.com.au.

Source: Media Game

Google is one of the biggest catalysts for change online. Google are recognised for revolutionising search with the release of their powerful search engine in the late 90’s, and they are aiming to do the same with their operating system Google Chrome OS which is due to be released later in 2009.

The new operating system is an extension of the Chrome browser project and will be focusing on speed, simplicity and security to deliver an overall improved user experience.

The operating system is initially going to be released specifically to be used on netbooks – the latest computing device providing complete mobility and support your mobile broadband, with a lightweight and convenient “mini laptop” that can be used to browse the internet anywhere you like. Check out the Dodo Mobile Broadband netbook plan bundle.

How will Google Chrome OS affect you and your browsing experience? or even just your experience in using a computer?

• Your operating system will now no longer be a cost to you – Google Chrome OS is completely free and open source. Netbooks are cheap, so by matching it with a free operating system you will no longer have to fork out money for a Microsoft Windows license.
• Your netbook will boot up fast, and run even faster than you have seen it before. Google Chrome OS is going to be designed to boot in seconds, allowing you to get browsing quicker.
• Your netbook will have improved compatibility with applications and hardware. Google says “[Users] don’t want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates.” They’re right – we don’t!
• Google Chrome OS will make you more mobile. Google will no doubt make all it’s services available, built-in to the operating system including Gmail, Google Docs, Google Talk, Picasa etc. through it’s Google Gears application. Using Google services will keep all your data in the one location, meaning you never have to worry about where you saved that file again!
• The time it takes and amount of clicks to perform a Google search will be dramatically decreased. Google want you using their search engine, and the Google Chrome OS will no doubt integrate the search engine beautifully making it extremely quick to perform a query.

Google Chrome OS will be an operating system that is clean, fast and focused on mobility. This will improve your mobile broadband experience dramatically. We are looking forward to the release of the operating system and will provide you with a full review as soon as we can get our hands on it.

In the mean time, it’s all the more important to prep up for the Google Chrome OS release, and get a netbook whilst Dodo have their awesome mobile broadband + netbook offer going so that you are one of the first to see Google Chrome OS in action!

This new feature will provide extraordinary benefit to wireless internet users as you will be able to tell Google where you are specifically located, and use that information to give you better more localised search results. Mobile Broadband providers should embrace this technology as it will be providing their users with a better search experience.

The Toolbar uses information transmitted from wireless access point to determine your approximate location.

Why is this awesome? Well, now you can use Google Maps centred on your map location to find local businesses and services around you, without having to type in a suburb name or specific location. Search for the nearest pizza restaurant or cafe with wireless internet access, and the nearest local business results will appear in your search.

Google releasing this technology provides added advantage to having a wireless internet connection. The advent of “super local” search will give great benefit and improved relevancy, and by having wireless internet access you are able to get results that are relevant to you and your exact location. Look out for more technology and My Location features from Google. This is important technology for Google as it can now provide more relevant advertisements and search results. By having increased relevancy, users will be much happier with their experience in using their search engine.

More information on installing the new Google Toolbar Labs option My Location

More information on Google Toolbar MyLocation

The National Broadband Network announcement was made on the 7th April 2009. This project is the largest infrastructure investment ever made by the Australian government. The project will take 8 years to complete, so there will be lots of news to report along the way. Here ist he latest from leading media outlets and around the ‘blogosphere’.

• Rudd seeks Broadband experts (Australian IT) 24/04/09

• NBN Tender Enquiry Possible (ComputerWorld NZ)  24/04/09

• September start for bush broadband upgrade? (CNET) 24/04/09

• Industry warms to new NBN strategy (Devnet) 24/04/09

• Costs of the National Broadband Network (Steve-J-on-IT) 22/04/09

For more National Broadband Network news follow Wireless Internet Access on Twitter

Dodo Mobile Cap & Broadband Bundle

Features:

• Free Mobile Phone (choose your favourite from 4 available handsets)
• Free Asus EEE PC (woo hoo!! )
• Free 3G Mobile Broadband modem
• Free 3G Mobile Broadband internet account with 250mb download limit per month
• Cost: $59.90 per month including $320 of value + 250mb mobile data

Highlights:

• This bundle offers serious upfront value. Here is a break down of the free inclusions and their normal RRP value:
  • Samsung J570 $99
  • Asus EEE PC $499
  • Dodo 3G Mobile Broadband Modem $149

    This stacks up to be $747 of free hardware alone, given to you as soon as your sign-up! Pretty awesome if you ask me! This isn’t even taking in to account the $320 of included calls and 250mb download limit with your mobile broadband.

• The Asus EEE PC netbook rocks! Mobile Broadband goes hand in hand with the Asus EEE PC, as the device is designed for ultra portability. The Asus EEE PC is packed with the important features too: wireless lan, ethernet port, 3 x USB ports, inbuilt stereo speakers, and comes pre-installed with Windows XP Home making it ready to use “out of the box”.
• Dodo mobile broadband uses the Optus 3G network, achieving speeds of 3.6mbps. Optus 3G coverage extends to 96% of the Australian population making it a viable option if you live in/travel to regional areas.
  
• The mobile plan includes Optus ‘yes’ time. That means FREE 20 minute voice calls, 8pm – midnight from one Optus GSM Mobile to another within Australia. No flagfall applies.

Tip: I’ve spoken to the guys at Dodo and they’ve advised there is only limited stock for this offer, so if you’re keen to find out more and take up this offer, I’d get in soon!

Learn more about this offer:

Things you need to be aware of:

• On 24 month minimum contract the minimum cost is $717.60. On 24 month minimum contract the minimum cost is $1,437.60. On 24 month minimum contract the minimum cost is $2,157.60. On 24 month minimum contract the minimum cost is $3,357.60
• Collect from Dodo or $24.90 delivery fee applies
• Free wireless broadband during 24 month period, thereafter monthly price reverts to $12.99
• Free wireless broadband during 24 month period, thereafter monthly price reverts to $34.99.
• Free delivery. No pickup option available.

We have compiled a list of Australias Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and links to their 3G wireless coverage checking tools.

Our coverage maps include links to check coverage with Australia’s major 3G mobile broadband providers including:

• 3 Mobile Broadband
• Virgin Mobile Broadband
• Dodo Wireless Internet
• Telstra NextG (Bigpond)
• Vodafone Mobile Broadband
• Optusnet Mobile Broadband

View our list of Australian 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Coverage Maps >>

The AppleBlog features a fantastic post on internet connection sharing using your Macbook. Use the same technique demonstrated in this blog tutorial to share you 3G wireless internet connection. Here is an excerpt containing the instructions on sharing your internet connection using Airport.

6 steps to sharing your 3G mobile broadband wireless internet connection

1. Open the preferences pane and click “Sharing”
2. Click on the name “Internet Sharing” which will bring up the internet sharing information to the right of the preference pane
3. Choose the type of internet you want to share (I have “Built-in Ethernet” selected to share)
4. in the “To computers using:” section check the box labeled “Airport”
5. If you want to name the network, set encryption or a password, click “Airport Options…”
6. Once you have configured the settings, check the box next to “Internet Sharing” on the left and you will be prompted with a warning: “Are you sure you want to turn on Internet sharing?” Click Start.

And that’s it! Your wireless internet connection will be shared and you will now be able to detect your Macbook as an available wireless network to connect to and use it’s internet connection for multiple computers. Pretty nifty hey?

Mobile Broadband Plans compared by their included data allowance

Choosing the best mobile broadband plan really depends on what you use the internet for. We’ve compared mobile broadband plans by monthly data allowance (download limit) and have given you a list of the best plans that suit what you use the internet for.

For each download limit, we have given you an idea as to what you can do with that data allowance. Whether you are a heavy internet user and regularly watch YouTube videos and download music or just a casual mobile broadband user, we’ve identified and listed the best mobile broadband plans that will suit your usage behaviour.

• Mobile Broadband Plans – 1gb Download Limit

• Mobile Broadband Plans – 2gb Download Limit

• Mobile Broadband Plans – 5 gb Download Limit

• Mobile Broadband Plans – 6 gb Download Limit

We hope you find these comparisons useful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us on Twitter for the quickest response to help you to choose your mobile broadband plan.

The list identifies Australia’s largest and most respectable mobile broadband providers. The companies on the list provide 3G Wireless Internet in Australia. It is highly recommended that you check each wireless internet providers coverage maps before proceeding with purchasing your mobile broadband plan.

View the list of Australia’s 3G Mobile Broadband providers & Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)

If you need assistance in choosing the best mobile broadband plan, please feel feel free to contact us on Twitter. We will point you to the best value mobile broadband plan that suits your budget and needs

Newcastle, Wollongong. Bowral, Kiama, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga, Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay are among the towns to be within the new extended Vodafone 3G network. The extended mobile broadband network will allow businesses and residents in the cities and towns of regional NSW more options when choosing their wireless broadband provider.

By the end of the August 2009, the network will be extended to provide 3G Mobile Broadband cover in many more reigional towns and cities including  Bathurst, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Goulburn, Thredbo, Bega and Cooma.

Vodafone was able to achieve the extensions to it’s mobile broadband network by re-allocating a part of the 900MHz band. Many of Vodafone’s base stations have been upgraded to use faster and more efficient 3G technology which will provide mobile broadband connection speeds 1o to 20 times faster than the speeds achieved on the old network.

These extensions to the mobile broadband network have been achieved by re-allocating part of the 900MHz band, which the carrier used in the original GSM cellular service. While sufficient GSM channels and base stations remain for older mobile phones, many base stations have been upgraded to use more efficient 3G technology.

This news comes after Three Mobile’s recent announcement to  increase wireless network coverage to 96% with new roaming 3G network. This is positive news for Australians helping to provide them with more options when it comes to choosing to use mobile broadband to provide them with a wireless internet connection.

Reference: The Age