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
Jun 22, 2018, 3:12 pm
#107
Join Date: May 2013
Location: USA
Programs: AA Plt Pro, UA Silver, DL, QF; HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 128
Any recommendations for a data only SIM provider for Australia?
Going to be spending most of August there - my current carrier (Three) allows me to use my data allowance for free but it's going to be slow as all the traffic will be routed via the UK.
So I'm looking for a local SIM that I can put in my MiFi
Thanks
Going to be spending most of August there - my current carrier (Three) allows me to use my data allowance for free but it's going to be slow as all the traffic will be routed via the UK.
So I'm looking for a local SIM that I can put in my MiFi
Thanks
But either way I'd strongly recommend a local SIM for data only. You can get them at most airports when you arrive as well, if getting to a store is challenging.
Jun 22, 2018, 4:20 pm
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,024
Any recommendations for a data only SIM provider for Australia?
Going to be spending most of August there - my current carrier (Three) allows me to use my data allowance for free but it's going to be slow as all the traffic will be routed via the UK.
So I'm looking for a local SIM that I can put in my MiFi
Going to be spending most of August there - my current carrier (Three) allows me to use my data allowance for free but it's going to be slow as all the traffic will be routed via the UK.
So I'm looking for a local SIM that I can put in my MiFi
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trav...australia.html
Shops at SYD airport for SIM
Sim Card in Australia
SIM card for a short stay in Australia
Woolworths & Coles are the 2 largest supermarket chains. Have many shops
Comparison web sites --->
https://www.whistleout.com.au
http://youcompare.com.au
Edit
https://www.coles.com.au/our-range/o...s/coles-mobile
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jun 26, 2018 at 5:38 am
Jun 23, 2018, 7:52 pm
#109
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
Telstra seems to be having a lot of network issues lately.
I used Vodafone on my recent visit. Ordered it ahead for like A$20. 18GB of data, unlimited Australia text and calls. I had them ship it to the hotel I stayed at in Adelaide and picked it up at the front desk when I arrived. I think they have offers that change frequently.
I used Vodafone on my recent visit. Ordered it ahead for like A$20. 18GB of data, unlimited Australia text and calls. I had them ship it to the hotel I stayed at in Adelaide and picked it up at the front desk when I arrived. I think they have offers that change frequently.
Jun 23, 2018, 8:00 pm
#110
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
A couple of years ago, I bought a Vodafone SIM at SYD and could never get 4G on my iPad.
I went to Vodafone stores in the city and they could not help me.
Finally I bought Telstra SIM and it was 4G.
Sometimes they run promos, though maybe only in the summer.
I went to Vodafone stores in the city and they could not help me.
Finally I bought Telstra SIM and it was 4G.
Sometimes they run promos, though maybe only in the summer.
Jun 24, 2018, 12:12 am
#111
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Based on my experience last month, I'd buy one at the airport and not wait for a grocery store. There were quite a few hurdles we had to jump thru to get the Woolies one to work (ie it didn't work for a non local to activate). There were some reasonable deals upon arrival too.
Jun 24, 2018, 6:09 am
#112
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
More annoying than the routing via the UK are the restrictions that Three puts on its Feel at home roaming. It's a relatively flexible wording and, AFAIK, prevents you from using your contract over longer continuous periods.
Jun 26, 2018, 4:57 pm
#114
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: BHX
Posts: 43
3 in Australia
I have a UK 3 SIM in my iPad , was in NZ and Australia for 5 weeks in Feb - Mar this year I didn't use it daily but thought their roaming data speed was pretty decent , certainly good enough for Google Maps I think their T and Cs say something like max 13 gb a month when roaming Worth giving it a try , after all its free ! Tethering is technically forbidden , but there are ways..
Jun 28, 2018, 2:21 pm
#115
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: BA, Virgin, Lufthansa
Posts: 183
I have a UK 3 SIM in my iPad , was in NZ and Australia for 5 weeks in Feb - Mar this year I didn't use it daily but thought their roaming data speed was pretty decent , certainly good enough for Google Maps I think their T and Cs say something like max 13 gb a month when roaming Worth giving it a try , after all its free ! Tethering is technically forbidden , but there are ways...
Challenge when roaming is the data is routed via home country for carrier billing / metering purposes so if you're making a request to say a local Australian site then the request has to go to AU - UK - AU and then response does the same.
And as the speed web pages load at is heavily affected by latency this has a really bad impact on the experience
Jul 8, 2018, 7:20 am
#116
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC | qantas | IHG | Hilton Honors | Priority Pass | Nandos
Posts: 868
A bit late to this, but I got an Optus 4G SIM card at Sydney airport at the start of a week's stay in May. It was only 10 AUD and I had good signal and data speeds all week.
Aug 22, 2018, 1:12 pm
#117
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Jose CA
Posts: 1,100
Next week I'll be driving all over Western Australia exploring wildflowers for three weeks. We will only spend a day or two in Perth. This site implies that Telstra has the best coverage in outlying areas, is this correct? And if so, is there a difference between the various Telstra MVNOs? I'm mostly interested in data packages of at least 2GB.
Aug 22, 2018, 9:41 pm
#118
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Check the ads for Woolworths and Coles. Sometimes they have specials on Telstra as well as their own MvNOs.
Check Telstra itself. I’ve ordered SIMs with good offers online and had them deliver it to the hotel before I checked in.
Check Telstra itself. I’ve ordered SIMs with good offers online and had them deliver it to the hotel before I checked in.
Aug 23, 2018, 11:00 am
#119
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Jose CA
Posts: 1,100
Aug 23, 2018, 2:56 pm
#120
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I had them deliver to a Sydney CBD hotel and I don't recall the billing address being an issue. I think I may have done the support chat too.
The only hassle was that they used some kind of courier service and they wouldn't take the signature of the hotel reception clerks. It had to be me so they timed it to deliver right after I'd checked in.
I actually had to go downstairs to reception to meet the courier and sign in person.
Yeah probably a lot less hassle to buy in person at the store. It takes up time but maybe be unavoidable.
Also, in another visit, I picked up a Vodafone SIM at SYD and could NEVER get it to connect to 4G. Really annoyed me. I ended up buying a Telstra SIM half way into that trip. I had gone into a Vodafone store in the city and they couldn't tell me why it wasn't connecting to 4G.
So be wary of those airport kiosks. They had one right in baggage claim at SYD so I went for it. I'm not even sure if it was an actual Vodafone kiosk.