Mobile reception in the gulf?

[Hodgies]

Hi all,

Just wanting some clarification on how mobile reception is up in the gulf. Or did you have a satphone?

We are going from Mt Surprise through to Mataranka. ( We are following basically the footsteps of McGirr and friends)

Appreciate any feedback.

128 sleeps to go.

[HEM19X]

Mate, provided that you are with Telstra AND have a phone that is "country usage" [stronger signal reception] you can usually get a signal in the towns.

That said, I wouldn't rely on it if you are travelling alone, Depending where you are, you can hire a sat phone cheaply rather than fork out $$$'s on buying one...

Have a great trip.

[Barra]

Depends how quick you travel around the Gulf. At most you will a couple of days out of service with the 3G network. If you go up to Lorella Springs there will be no service at all.

Sat phone hire is not cheep, I inquired at Alice Springs to hire a phone, $20 a day for a 3 week desert trip.

[MattNQ]

These maps are handy - also show how much an external antenna helps.
 
Through that country, Telstra has bases at all the bigger towns, plus Century Mine
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/coverage-networks/our-coverage/

Optus has made a token effort.   
https://www.optus.com.au/network/mobile/coverage

Vodafone....yeah don't bother.
http://www.vodafone.com.au/aboutvodafone/network/checker

[muzza01]

Besides any major town, don't count on any coverage. I had a look on the Telstra map that Matt provided a link for, I think Telstra have seriously got their hand on it. They have  hugely overegaduated the distance of their reception towers.

[MattNQ]

Yes, I should have qualified -those maps are usually best case only. Reality is you won't get that much coverage.  Those cells typically decrease coverage as traffic increases ,  plus up in that country you get fading, particularly over those black soil plain areas. On the edges you might get a text through but can't call.

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[Hodgies]

Thanks all for your replies.