Apr 12, 2019, 8:18 pm
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
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
Other resellers (alphabetical order - not a recommendation)
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.
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 FT’er 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 visitor’s 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
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
- Telstra
https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones - Optus
https://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobile/phone-plans - 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
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 FT’er 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 visitor’s 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
Prepaid SIM (Data or Voice) - Australia
Oct 25, 2015, 4:18 pm
#61
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
Telestra has a prepaid mobile broadband hotspot, with 3GB of Data for $99.99.
https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband...adband/prepaid
Seems legit, right?
https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband...adband/prepaid
Seems legit, right?
Oct 27, 2015, 10:14 pm
#62
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,168
Telestra has a prepaid mobile broadband hotspot, with 3GB of Data for $99.99.
https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband...adband/prepaid
Seems legit, right?
https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband...adband/prepaid
Seems legit, right?
Nov 14, 2015, 8:01 pm
#63
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
Telestra has a prepaid mobile broadband hotspot, with 3GB of Data for $99.99.
https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband...adband/prepaid
Seems legit, right?
https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband...adband/prepaid
Seems legit, right?
For the 10 days I was there, I just carried my iPhone and the hotspot with me. Worked flawlessly. I still put my Verizon phone on Global Data "just in case" but barely used it. I did use 8GB of hotspot data. So, well worth the roughly $70 USD.
Last edited by bkafrick; Nov 15, 2015 at 9:06 am Reason: (clarifying that I purchased the hotspot ON the plane)
Nov 14, 2015, 8:27 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,016
Get to more remote and less populated areas Optus is limited: you need the wider Telstra coverage (see post 60 above)
Oct 20, 2016, 9:17 pm
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
At the SYD airport about 3 weeks ago, Vodaphone was offering a free SIM and essentially unlimited calls/texts with 8.5gb of data for Aus$35 in the exit hall.
It was a no brainier for me, easily tethered via my iPhone for iPad and computer access.
It was a no brainier for me, easily tethered via my iPhone for iPad and computer access.
Oct 21, 2016, 12:36 pm
#67
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: LAX/FAO
Posts: 355
We arrive in SYD next month on Delta and will transfer to a VA domestic flight. After clearing customs, will we have access to the mobile providers before going to VA's transfer desk? The airport map makes it look we can, but VA's instructions say to turn left before entering the arrivals hall, so was wondering if someone that has done this recently knows.
Oct 21, 2016, 1:36 pm
#68
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Was this for one month? How was the coverage?
We arrive in SYD next month on Delta and will transfer to a VA domestic flight. After clearing customs, will we have access to the mobile providers before going to VA's transfer desk? The airport map makes it look we can, but VA's instructions say to turn left before entering the arrivals hall, so was wondering if someone that has done this recently knows.
We arrive in SYD next month on Delta and will transfer to a VA domestic flight. After clearing customs, will we have access to the mobile providers before going to VA's transfer desk? The airport map makes it look we can, but VA's instructions say to turn left before entering the arrivals hall, so was wondering if someone that has done this recently knows.
The offer said "special limited time, limited to the airport" and the price was down from A$50. You might give Vodaphone a call on Skype to ask if it's still valid - I suspect it probably is.
As far as transfer desks, etc., I can't tell you as SYD was my destination. I came in on DL from LAX.
Enjoy your trip. I had a blast.
Oct 21, 2016, 2:46 pm
#69
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The Wild West
Posts: 1,334
Was this for one month? How was the coverage?
We arrive in SYD next month on Delta and will transfer to a VA domestic flight. After clearing customs, will we have access to the mobile providers before going to VA's transfer desk? The airport map makes it look we can, but VA's instructions say to turn left before entering the arrivals hall, so was wondering if someone that has done this recently knows.
We arrive in SYD next month on Delta and will transfer to a VA domestic flight. After clearing customs, will we have access to the mobile providers before going to VA's transfer desk? The airport map makes it look we can, but VA's instructions say to turn left before entering the arrivals hall, so was wondering if someone that has done this recently knows.
The mobile phone providers also have kiosks in the domestic terminal, although you may have to check whether they are able to offer the same terms.
Alternatively, you can go out into the arrivals hall to buy a SIM and then take the train or a bus to the domestic terminal (which will cost a nominal amount).
Oct 21, 2016, 2:54 pm
#70
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I'm going in a couple of weeks.
Mobile stores are suppose to be everywhere in the CBD.
In addition, Woolworth and Cole markets will sell SIM starter kits. Supposedly they will have sales too, so that a 30 AUD kit will be 15 AUD.
The only thing is, you have to do online activation, instead of the shop doing it for you as in other countries.
Heard that even the mobile shops like Telstra may not activate for you.
Mobile stores are suppose to be everywhere in the CBD.
In addition, Woolworth and Cole markets will sell SIM starter kits. Supposedly they will have sales too, so that a 30 AUD kit will be 15 AUD.
The only thing is, you have to do online activation, instead of the shop doing it for you as in other countries.
Heard that even the mobile shops like Telstra may not activate for you.
Oct 21, 2016, 3:25 pm
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,016
Mobile stores are suppose to be everywhere in the CBD.
In addition, Woolworth and Cole markets will sell SIM starter kits. Supposedly they will have sales too, so that a 30 AUD kit will be 15 AUD.
The only thing is, you have to do online activation, instead of the shop doing it for you as in other countries.
Heard that even the mobile shops like Telstra may not activate for you.
In addition, Woolworth and Cole markets will sell SIM starter kits. Supposedly they will have sales too, so that a 30 AUD kit will be 15 AUD.
The only thing is, you have to do online activation, instead of the shop doing it for you as in other countries.
Heard that even the mobile shops like Telstra may not activate for you.
Many plans and resellers in the Au market. But only 3 real providers Telstra, Optus & Vodaphone.
http://whatphone.com.au/sim-only-byo-plans/compare
https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones
http://youcompare.com.au/mobilephones
Activating on line is common.
Amaysim $30 starter pack was on special for $15 yesterday at my local Coles supermarket. (But may have been another brand)
Coles/Optus have a $20 for 28 days, unlimited standard Au calls, unlimited Au text (SMS+ MMS) with 2GB data for use in Australia only. International calls & international text are not in the plan. Are extra. SIM is $2 from Coles supermarket. https://www.colesmobile.com.au
The post 66 "Vodaphone was offering a free SIM and essentially unlimited calls/texts with 8.5gb of data for Aus$35" is a good deal if for 28/30 days or longer.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Oct 21, 2016 at 5:44 pm
Oct 21, 2016, 3:43 pm
#72
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Oct 21, 2016, 3:47 pm
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,016
Oct 21, 2016, 3:59 pm
#74
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Good to know but I hear it's only valid until 25 Oct, so well before I'm arriving.
But I'm considering the Woolworth kit for 30 AUD which includes 6 GB for the first month. Woolworth is suppose to use Telstra network.
I don't see much about topping off so maybe if these kits are still in sale, just buy a couple of them.
But I'm considering the Woolworth kit for 30 AUD which includes 6 GB for the first month. Woolworth is suppose to use Telstra network.
I don't see much about topping off so maybe if these kits are still in sale, just buy a couple of them.
Oct 21, 2016, 5:17 pm
#75
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: LAX/FAO
Posts: 355
The transfer desk is before entering the arrivals hall, so no.
The mobile phone providers also have kiosks in the domestic terminal, although you may have to check whether they are able to offer the same terms.
Alternatively, you can go out into the arrivals hall to buy a SIM and then take the train or a bus to the domestic terminal (which will cost a nominal amount).
The mobile phone providers also have kiosks in the domestic terminal, although you may have to check whether they are able to offer the same terms.
Alternatively, you can go out into the arrivals hall to buy a SIM and then take the train or a bus to the domestic terminal (which will cost a nominal amount).
Thank you - I can't wait!