Availability of Mobile Broadband
If you’re in one of the major metropolitan areas then mobile broadband is available now from a choice of providers. However if you’re outside these areas then Telstra currently have the best coverage with their Next G service. The main disadvantage with Telstra Next G packages is the higher costs.
The situation will change over the next couple of years. Vodafone, Optus and Hutchison (3 Mobile) have all announced plans to to expand their 3G network coverage over the next couple of years. Vodafone have said they will cover 95% of the Australian population by Christmas 2008. Optus have announced plans to cover 98 percent of the Australian population by December 2009.
You can visit the providers websites to see coverage maps and find out whether mobile broadband is available in your area.
1 GB for $15 plus $4 modem charge. This
is the cheapest mobile broadband plan available and excellent if you need email and Internet
while on the move. 
Vodafone offer 3GB for $29.95 per month on a 12 month plan. This is great value especially if you want the flexibility of a 12 month rather than 24 month plan.
5
GB for $34. Great value plan in the mid-range price bracket. No excess data charges. 