Mobile Phone Cap plans

[Dansta]

Mods, im not sure if i've put this in the right place or not - feel free to move-

Atm both DH and I are on pre-paid mobiles. i spend around $30 per month on credit. DH is more around the $20. we're both telstra - as we get 1c texts and 10mins for 40c or maybe 50c after 9pm and from 9pm friday night until 6am monday morning.

but we're trying to tighten the purse strings more and i'm wondering if going on a post-paid cap would be better. every one it seems (bar telstra ) has a $19 cap. most have free/unlimited texts and some even have unlimited calls between the same telcos (like virgin to virgin ) i'm also interested in the data allowance (some have) one in particular is 50mb (now, stupid question but would that = how meany BB pages LOL) but i'm not sure if it'd help in the long run. the other thing is that they're all 24 month contracts (with free mobile phones) from what i can gather.

i guess i just wanted to know a few things about other Telcos (i've been with Telstra since my first mobile phone )

who has good coverage - out side of the city/ heading into the country?
what makes a cap good? like aside from DH and I contacting each other whats a good price for SMS's?
what things do i look out for??
as a stay at home mum would i even be able to get one? or would it need to be in DH's name?? neather of us have had a credit card - only our home lone which is in DH's name...

I'm not planning on swiching right away - more likely after this bub is born - as that way i can pay the $19 p/m plus save $40 for the rest of the contract (so like pay one month, have two months saved KWIM?)

or are DH and I better off staying on pre-paid??

[Tinks]

Telstra have a new cap plan for $49 a mth you get $400 in calls and a browsing pack.

I live in the sticks so can only have Telstra mobiles, other companies dont work here.

[Rivlas]

I have just resigned with 3 over the phone and got a really good deal. $29.00 cap first 12 months get a $10 credit per month and then a internet plan for half price for 12 months, $4.00 so I am only going to pay $23.00 per month. This gives me unlimited talk with other 3 users so works well for me as the others are also with 3. It also included free postage so I get it tomorrow
Only knew about the discounted internet package while talking to them.

[Phteven]

Most mobile companies have coverage maps so you can check which ones work best in your area.