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Prepaid SIM (Data or Voice) - Australia

Old Apr 12, 2019, 8:18 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
Summary
https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com/wiki/Australia
Reasonable summary of Au phones, but a changing market.

Networks 3G 4G
There are 3 main mobile phone networks in Australia
  1. Telstra
    https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones
  2. Optus
    https://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobile/phone-plans
  3. Vodafone
    https://www.vodafone.com.au/plans

TPG was building a 4th network. Link--> https://www.canstarblue.com.au/phone/tpg-phone-network/ But the Australian Government banned Huawei equipment due to security concerns. And TPG & Vodafone may merge. Link

All other mobile phone plan retailers are resellers. Many resellers use the Optus network.

Phone & Data Plans
There are many phone-SIM-data plans available from bricks & mortar shops:- phone shops, supermarkets, post offices, newsagents, gas/petrol stations or on line. It can be confusing comparing the features & costs. Cost per month is reducing and data per month is increasing. The plans are aimed at Australia residents, so may not be that suitable for visitors to Australia. Some plans are 6/12 month locked-in contracts. Some plans include data roll over/bank and others do not. Some plans now have a 1 off bonus data at sign up. So check carefully.

A visitor to Australia should be able to get a 28/30 day plan for about $30 with unlimited local calls and local texts and with some data. Less than 30 days, if available, not a lot different. Check the conditions & fine print. To activate an Australian phone-SIM card an identity check is needed. Please refer below.

Most (all?) of the Australian international airports will have booths or shops selling SIM cards & phone-data plans.

Check if your unlocked phone works on the Australian networks:- http://willmyphonework.net

The supermarket chains offer some reasonable deals, with no locked-in contract.
Pick up a SIM card in the supermarket or have it delivered by mail
  • https://www.colesmobile.com.au (Optus network)
  • https://mobile.woolworths.com.au (Telstra network)
  • https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/value-packs (Telstra network)

Other resellers (alphabetical order - not a recommendation)
  • https://www.amaysim.com.au/mobile-plans/
  • https://www.belong.com.au/mobile (owned by Telstra)
  • https://boost.com.au/plans/
  • https://www.dodo.com.au/
  • https://www.lebara.com.au/mobile-plans/30-day-plans
  • https://www.tpg.com.au/mobile
  • https://www.vaya.net.au
  • and others
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_mobile_virtual_network_operator s

There are comparison web sites aimed at Australia residents. These may not be that suitable for visitors to Australia. They may not be 100% independent or show all options.
  • https://youcompare.com.au/mobilephones/
  • https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/
  • https://whatphone.com.au
  • https://www.canstarblue.com.au/compare/mobile
  • and others

Identify Check
To activate an Australian phone-SIM card a 100 point identity check is needed. It is not always asked for. There is a post where a FTer had trouble doing this. Link---> Post 111
The airport booth guys or a phone shop will be able to activate a SIM card. Ask before you buy.

Australian Communications and Media Authority (Au gov) link---> https://www.acma.gov.au/acmas-rules-id-checks-prepaid-mobiles
Australian Government legislation link (very legalistic)--> https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L00399
Aldi pdf for information (typical?) https://www.aldimobile.com.au/m3/docs/identity_verification_policy.pdf

Coverage
The 2 main carriers claim high 90's% coverage of the Australian population centres. Note this is not the same as geographic coverage (land area). Any of the 2 (or 3) mains carriers will have coverage of the main areas where most people will visit. Telstra has the reputation for the largest geographic coverage. (Optus may not agree). If you are 100 miles out the back of Bourke or in remote Western Australia or on the Nullarbor or wherever there may be no coverage. Areas with no coverage exist all over the country. But it is not a problem for most visitors to Australia.

Telstra coverage map--------> https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our-coverage
Telstra block spot program ----> https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-black-spot-program


Disclaimer
The above is a very general guide only. It may not be 100% accurate
Mobile phone plans are for ever changing.
Any additions or corrections are welcome

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Prepaid SIM (Data or Voice) - Australia

Old Jun 4, 2013, 2:40 pm
  #31  
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Are there data-only prepaid plans?

Like you get a lot of data but pay per SMS or call otherwise rather than also buying a bundle of minutes and texts?
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Old Jun 5, 2013, 1:20 pm
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Originally Posted by wco81
Are there data-only prepaid plans?

Like you get a lot of data but pay per SMS or call otherwise rather than also buying a bundle of minutes and texts?
Yes, I think there are a few options there. See Amaysim's offerings, for example.
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Old Jun 8, 2013, 8:10 pm
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You can pick up a SIM from the Optus stand at the airport, just after baggage claim and before leaving the airport.

$10 for 10 days - unlimited data, unlimited calling within Australia.
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Old Jun 9, 2013, 10:18 pm
  #34  
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Prepaid SIM - Australia

My Virgin still going strong. Had good reception in Katoomba yesterday. Found out that the prepaid is only 3G. But speeds seem okay compared to home (US).

Will he heading to Canberra tomorrow. Will report on reception there. My guess the train ride will have some drop outs.
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Old Jun 10, 2013, 1:28 am
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Originally Posted by thx10
My Virgin still going strong. Had good reception in Katoomba yesterday. Found out that the prepaid is only 3G. But speeds seem okay compared to home (US).

Will he heading to Canberra tomorrow. Will report on reception there. My guess the train ride will have some drop outs.
Hey! If you are in Canberra for more than a touch n go visit, PM me; there's a few FTer's around that wouldn't mind getting together for a drink or two.
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Old Aug 22, 2013, 11:03 pm
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Lebara

Nobody has mentioned Lebara yet in this thread. That's what our Sydneysider mate recommended when we went to visit in June so that's what we got. Bought the SIM card at a newsagent with no ID required. Coverage and rates more than satisfactory.

cheers,

Henry
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Old Sep 26, 2013, 7:04 am
  #37  
 
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TouristSim/Optus

Has anyone had experience with TouristSim? They sell Optus prepaid sim cards. Did you have problems registering the sim card. TouristSim's website suggests to provide either a credit or debit card.

Their prepaid data plans include free access to Facebook and Twitter. If I access these sites using the apps on my US smartphone, would it qualify?
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Old Nov 2, 2013, 4:33 pm
  #38  
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I'm heading to OZ for a week and I'm looking for a prepaid sim for data mainly.
For my calls I have my Toggle which I'll have my free incoming with a local USA and PL number where people can reach me, but I need data so I can use my phone as a GPS Nav when we drive the GOR and also to the Blue mtns.

What one is the best for that?

Optus has a $2/day plan which incl some 500MB.
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Old Nov 7, 2013, 2:00 pm
  #39  
 
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Originally Posted by jason8612
I'm heading to OZ for a week and I'm looking for a prepaid sim for data mainly.
For my calls I have my Toggle which I'll have my free incoming with a local USA and PL number where people can reach me, but I need data so I can use my phone as a GPS Nav when we drive the GOR and also to the Blue mtns.

What one is the best for that?

Optus has a $2/day plan which incl some 500MB.
We used Amaysim for a similar purpose -- GPS on the phone (they use the Optus network). Worked great in cities, however the great ocean road is off the beaten path a bit, and you shouldn't expect particularly reliable service the whole time. I really don't recall how often we had service driving the great ocean road, but it's not too hard to navigate on your own once you get there, just follow the signs...and the coast.

If you must have data service outside the cities, you need to probably limit your search to Telstra; you won't do better than them for coverage.
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Old Nov 7, 2013, 5:36 pm
  #40  
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Really, so no smart phone GPS navigation on the Great Ocean Road?

What are the best Telestra prepaid plans?
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Old Nov 8, 2013, 3:01 pm
  #41  
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In my experience, Lebara has the best prepaid SIM rates in Australia, with particularly good rates for calling internationally from there. They als have data included.
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Old Nov 8, 2013, 3:08 pm
  #42  
 
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Optus 4G prepaid works like a breeze in Sydney. My hotel internet access was so lame I had to switch on tethering on my phone and this was so fast I didn't wanted to get back to the hotel wifi once they fixed it !
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Old Nov 9, 2013, 10:13 pm
  #43  
 
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Originally Posted by jason8612
I'm heading to OZ for a week and I'm looking for a prepaid sim for data mainly.
For my calls I have my Toggle which I'll have my free incoming with a local USA and PL number where people can reach me, but I need data so I can use my phone as a GPS Nav when we drive the GOR and also to the Blue mtns.

What one is the best for that?

Optus has a $2/day plan which incl some 500MB.
Depends on whether you'll be back there or not, and how important it is for you to have the best coverage and speeds. Plus how important it will be to have a number of devices connected simultaneously

I never compromise when it comes to internet access so I have the previous model of this fine little gadget: https://www.telstra.com.au/online-sh...d-wifi-4g-760s

I'm sure the newer model works like a charm as well, plus it comes with 5GB for you to use. But if you just need something to put in your phone to run a navigation app then you might as well go for one of those daily set-price SIMs.
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Old Feb 17, 2014, 9:13 am
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tried to look up at the official sites but no luck - anyone know if any of these carriers allow iphone hotspot sharing too? thanks.
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Old Feb 17, 2014, 11:16 pm
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Originally Posted by andex
tried to look up at the official sites but no luck - anyone know if any of these carriers allow iphone hotspot sharing too? thanks.
Virgin does, it uses the Optus network but I don't know if Optus does as well.
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