telephone coverage

by Anne Murdoch
(Adelaide)

Mobile Phone

Mobile Phone

My husband and I are planning a trip from Adelaide to Alice Springs via the Oodnadatta track and possibly on to Darwin.
We have mobile phones with Vodafone will we get coverage on this route or do we need a satellite phone?
We plan to go early October, we are new to this vast country and want to explore while we are still fit.

Thank you, we enjoy your site it has been so helpful.

Rita's Reply


Hi Anne,

thank you for your kind words, I am glad you find the Outback Guide helpful.

I quickly checked the Vodafone coverage checker, there is no coverage in the tiny towns along the Oodnadatta Track.

You also won't have much coverage between towns and roadhouses on the Stuart Highway. There is reception in Coober Pedy and Alice Springs.

I don't understand the difference between Vodafone's 2G and 3G network. They say on the website one needs compatible device for the 3G areas, but does it help in the Outback? Perhaps someone in a Vodafone shop can give you more information.

We usually rent a satellite phone for peace of mind if something happens. However, to stay in touch with family and friends satphone calls are quite expensive.

Have a wonderful and safe trip. Don't forget to check the ***z-road-conditions-sa.shtml*** and the long-term weather forecasts. It has been rather wet recently.

Rita

Comments for telephone coverage

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 09, 2011
 outback safety
by: james deane


For someone who wants peace of mind and the ability to let people of your position I would recomend Spot.It also has an inbuilt sos system and help features operates any where in australia at minimum cost compared to hf radio or sat. phones
Oct 31, 2010
 telephone coverage
by: Anne

Hi, Have just come home from a wonderful 16 days exploring from Adelaide to Alice Springs and all
the great places between. We had to buy a Telstra phone as our Vodafone had no coverage after Port Augusta. This is our first trip as we had bought a little A'van Cruiseliner and were dying to try it out. I relied a lot on your Blogs and once I get settled in again I will try and tell you how we found the campsites.
Just to let you know that we are both in our 70s and have only lived in Australia for 3 years so it is maybe a bit late to take up caravanning but we loved every minute of it. Thanks for all your help.
Anne Murdoch
Oct 31, 2010
 Great info
by: Rita

Thanks Peter and David for your additional information, much appreciated.

Rita
Sep 07, 2010
 outback communications
by: David

All the mobile phone companies' web sites show their coverage. Telstra has the best coverage by far, but it is still limited, mainly to major routes and towns.

Your other options are satellite phone and HF radio, complementary technologies in my view. A phone gives you direct person to person contact, while an HF radio connects you into all the information and help of VKS737, the Royal Flying Doctor and Radio Australia, not to mention radio telephone.

Be careful if choosing a satellite phone service, some services give limited cover only (geography and time).

You need to be a member of an authorised group to use HF. One of the biggest groups, run by and specifically for outback travellers, is VKS737 (www.vks737.on.net). If an HF transmitter is too expensive, just take a radio that can pick up HF (short wave). you can then at least listen to VKS737 road and weather reports, as well as Radio Australia.
Sep 07, 2010
 phone coverage
by: Peter

Gday - a common option is to purchase a prepaid Telstra 3G phone generally this will operate - well not every where - but substantially more than any other service.

you can also use it to send emails etc via a cost effective modem

i understand that once you start using prepaid the the time kicks in

eg they are valid for say 1 to 3 months to use the allocated capacity of the phone service.

Cheers and good luck

Peter

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Your Outback Driving Questions and Stories.

Enjoy these tips and articles in the Outback Guide