Anyone know about Southern Cross Telco?

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I am looking around for a new mobile phone (my old contract has finished) and I saw an ad for mobile phones verrrrrrry cheap.

The company is called Southern Cross Telco. http://sctelco.com.au/
They have a phone for $29 per month compared to Optus @ $49 per month and Telstra @ $79 per month for the same phones! http://sctelco.com.au/residential/mo...-with-handsets

I tried Googling them looking for reviews or anything but came up empty.

Their website doesn't say much either.
It doesn't mention what carrier they use or what their coverage is like.
Where I am I get crap to medium Optus coverage, no Virgin or '3' coverage, no Vodafone coverage, but fantastic 100% Telstra coverage.

Coverage is my biggest seller, but the prices at Southern Cross Telco seem almost to good to pass up.

Does anyone know anything about them?

Also, something fishy about the plan.
How does a $29 per month plan over 24 months totalling $696 pay off a $709 phone + calls + SMS's etc

[MikeyB (Michael)]

Whirlpool knows about them:

Anybody get caught by SC Telco offer

Southern Cross Telecom

Slimtel and other super budget plans

Nightmare of Aussie Telcos #@#$()#$

as does Not Good Enough:

Rip off costs and pathetic reliability

[GrampianStars (Rob)]

Ken
Just get a sim NO CONTRACT
http://www.amaysim.com.au/
if you need a new phone I buy from here once a year
http://www.uniquemobiles.com.au/

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

The company is called Southern Cross Telco. http://sctelco.com.au/

Following is from the Australian Registry database

Originally Posted by Whois response for sctelco.com.au:

Domain Name sctelco.com.au
Last Modified 28-Jul-2010 01:36:07 UTC
Registrar ID TPP Internet
Registrar Name TPP Internet
Status ok
Registrant Southern Cross Telco Pty Ltd
Registrant ID OTHER 068171906
Eligibility Type Other
Registrant Contact ID TPP477076-R
Registrant Contact Name Alex McGarry
Registrant Contact Email systems.administrator@sctelco.com.a u
Tech Contact ID TPP638324-C
Tech Contact Name Alex McGarry
Tech Contact Email systems.administrator@sctelco.com.a u
Name Server dotcomns1.commander.com
Name Server dotcomns2.commander.com

Originally Posted by Whois response for REGISTRAR ID TPP Internet:

Created On 30/JUN/02
Last Updated On 20/APR/10
Registrar ID TPP Internet
Registrar Name TPP Internet
Registrar URL www.tppinternet.com.au
Street1 PO BOX 334
City Manly
State/Province NSW
Postal Code 1655
Country au
Status Active

[MikeyB (Michael)]

Originally Posted by GrampianStars

Ken
Just get a sim NO CONTRACT
http://www.amaysim.com.au/
if you need a new phone I buy from here once a year
http://www.uniquemobiles.com.au/

Amaysim uses the Optus network, which OP described as having "crap to medium" coverage in his area:

New Optus MVNO, amaysim, promises cheap and simple mobile service

[Paddy (Patrick)]

My father in law uses them for his mobile, Ken and is very happy. And tries to sell them to everyone else he knows. He just uses it as a phone though, so I don't know about other services.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

There is a new entrant that offers
no contract
no flag falls
no disconnection
no caps
no minimum spend
just 15c per minute.

Now that sounds like way to go!!!

can't think of their name, they were on Current Affair last week and have just started advertising.

Reckon they will give the old telcos a scare.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, that Amaysim sounds terrific, but it is only the Sim Card. Still have to buy your own phone.
I can't do that. It makes the upfront costs too much. That's why I always go on plans coz then I can pay it off.

Thanks. I'll keep looking for a good plan somewhere.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Ken, upfront phones can be bought for under $100 now.

Regarding Southern Cross Telco, 2 of the guys I work with are with them (although not on contracts) and both are very happy with the costs and service.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Ken, upfront phones can be bought for under $100 now.

Regarding Southern Cross Telco, 2 of the guys I work with are with them (although not on contracts) and both are very happy with the costs and service.

Thanks Phil.
I'll try find out about Southern Cross's coverage area