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
Feb 20, 2014, 10:30 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 18
Amaysim is the way to go.
By far the best value for money - Most users will get by on $10 (1GB data, or voice + 500MB data), and for $20 you can score the Unlimited plan (4GB data + unlimited local voice)(The list price is $40 but there is almost always a 50% discount for the 1st month). Also (shameless plug warning), there is a 'refer-a-friend' promo that gets you a $10 credit.
Coverage is on Optus so unless you plan on going to the Outback you'll do fine.
Only downside is that it's not as easy to get, as say Telstra. If you know your upcoming Oz address, the easiest way is to get the SIM shipped there.
By far the best value for money - Most users will get by on $10 (1GB data, or voice + 500MB data), and for $20 you can score the Unlimited plan (4GB data + unlimited local voice)(The list price is $40 but there is almost always a 50% discount for the 1st month). Also (shameless plug warning), there is a 'refer-a-friend' promo that gets you a $10 credit.
Coverage is on Optus so unless you plan on going to the Outback you'll do fine.
Only downside is that it's not as easy to get, as say Telstra. If you know your upcoming Oz address, the easiest way is to get the SIM shipped there.
Feb 21, 2014, 1:00 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVPG, UA Silver, Marriott + SPG Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 302
Went to a Vodafone store. $30 got me 1GB of wireless data and unlimited texting and calls. For a 10 day trip, this was absolutely perfect. Explored every option known to man and this was by far the best. Just do it when you get there.
May 23, 2014, 12:15 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,259
About a year later now. Does this still exist? Google/Optus site seem to think I want the $10 optus sim you can buy to use in other countries.
May 23, 2014, 12:29 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NUE
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, SK Diamond, ITA Volare Club Executive, TK Elite
Posts: 365
May 23, 2014, 12:49 pm
#52
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,259
Last edited by Ripper3785; May 23, 2014 at 12:54 pm
May 25, 2014, 9:11 am
#54
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Finland
Programs: BA Gold, LH Senator, SPG Gold
Posts: 352
The Optus $2 a day 4G ready is a 3G/4G plan. The SIM can be obtained from any Optus store (bring your passport and use your hotel address, if needed) and if you add eg $20 credit, you get 10 days of usage in the next 20 days (if you don't use it, you won't be charged the $2.
At least in metro-Sydney it worked quite well, Optus LTE is faster than your average US 4G (well, Optus 3G is often faster than your average US 4G). We switched to the $2 a day 3G plan as it had unlimited data (4G has 500MB/day) and we weren't yet oriented to the data capped world. The network is a bit spotty but nowhere as bad as e.g. T-Mobile in the US.
At least in metro-Sydney it worked quite well, Optus LTE is faster than your average US 4G (well, Optus 3G is often faster than your average US 4G). We switched to the $2 a day 3G plan as it had unlimited data (4G has 500MB/day) and we weren't yet oriented to the data capped world. The network is a bit spotty but nowhere as bad as e.g. T-Mobile in the US.
Feb 2, 2015, 12:45 am
#56
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
Decided to try both Telstra and Optus (traveling with family). Optus was the $2/day, bought the SIM at a convenience store right outside immigration (there is also a kiosk by the car rental counters), and then topped up with $10. Plenty of data, and coverage good in Sydney and Melbourne. Not sure about other areas.
Telstra was more expensive: $15 for 1GB I think, but the activation process was MUCH more annoying. Website failed, had to call to complete, wasn't clear on the data only options.
Optus on the other hand, super easy to activate. I think if you're only in the cities, this is the best bet.
Telstra was more expensive: $15 for 1GB I think, but the activation process was MUCH more annoying. Website failed, had to call to complete, wasn't clear on the data only options.
Optus on the other hand, super easy to activate. I think if you're only in the cities, this is the best bet.
Jun 17, 2015, 7:38 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,387
re in the arrivals area.This thread has more info on the topic.
Oct 22, 2015, 8:54 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: United Airlines, Delta, Hilton
Posts: 1
I am planning a 3 month trip across 6 countries (South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji). Longest stay will be 7 weeks in Australia. I am looking to buy a prepaid sim to use with my unlocked iphone 5 for data and maybe calls back to the US. Older threads indicate Telstra as the best. Is that still true? What recommendations?
Oct 22, 2015, 1:12 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,505
Last year I bought a Vodafone SIM from their location in the arrivals hall at BNE. I only needed to show passport and nothing else. Even though my phone at the time (HTC One M7) was always on HSPA it was plenty fast enough. Vodafone reception did get sketchier in the mountains near the Sunshine Coast but that's only a minor ding considering I spent most of my time in the CBD and surrounding suburbs.
I forget what I paid exactly though but I do remember that it was the better option because the vast majority of my usage is data.
I forget what I paid exactly though but I do remember that it was the better option because the vast majority of my usage is data.
