We get lots of queries about how to get the most from our Next G™ network and at this time of year, as we head out to sea during holidays and the Sydney to Hobart races puts sailing back in the spotlight, many people are interested in knowing how they can use their mobile devices out at sea.

The Next G™ network covers approximately one million square kilometres of ocean, from mobile base stations located near the coast. In terms of actual distances from the coast, dependant on the conditions at any particular site, the out to sea coverage can extend from between 20 and 70 kilometres.

We have put together a series of short videos to demonstrate how to get the most of the Next G™ network and keep you connected to friends and family. In this first one, wireless engineer Jared King takes us to the Sandringham Yacht Club with Bob Beresford, Regional Director for Service Delivery to show us how to use an antenna to maximise network coverage while out at sea.

Jared works in our wireless network engineering group and will feature in this series of instructional videos. Jared joined Telstra a couple of years ago as a graduate fresh out of university, and quickly showed his real enthusiasm for both technology in general and our network. It’s great to give one of our star performers this opportunity to present these videos.

Further details about coastal coverage are at telstra.com.

Do you have any stories about using your phone or the internet out at sea? Maybe you were surprised to find you had coverage or it came in particularly handy.

As this is the first of a series, I’d really like to hear what you think, and any topics you might like us to cover in future videos.