Advice wanted on Global Roaming options for Australia

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bernardgbailey

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#22693 5-Jun-2008 15:21

Hi team,

I'm leading a bunch of youngsters to World Youth Day in Sydney in July; some of the group have Vodafone and some Telecom phones.

I just got off the phone to Telecom Global Roaming Helpdesk and this is what Telecom can do for me

Free Treo 750 loan phone
43 cents per minute calling in Australia, to voicemail and back to New Zealand
40 cent txts and limited to 125 character texts
50 cents per minute to receive a call
$8 per megabyte data roaming

I'm pretty certain we can get a much better deal by getting a Vodafone phone for the period and having a follow me off the telecom phone for those that must keep their NZ number working while they are away.

Does anyone have experience to share in this regard?

Cheers
bernard

Going with the flow means going down the gurgler with everyone else. Dare to strike out on your own.

sbiddle

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#135727 5-Jun-2008 16:45

You certainly can't better those prices on Vodafone.

nate

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#135738 5-Jun-2008 18:29

bernardgbailey: Does anyone have experience to share in this regard?

Roaming is never cheap. I'm not sure what Vodafone Australia charge Vodafone NZ for using their network, so whether it's purely NZ passing on the cost to us as consumers, or they are taking advantage of a situation where you have little choice, I don't know.

You just have to be savvy to keep your costs down. For example, when I was in Australia last month I knew data was $10/Mb using my data card. My solution was to stop in at an internet cafe and use the internet for an hour for $2. Not as convenient as using my data card, but much cheaper.

They certainly make you pay for the convenience of using your mobile phone over there. Maybe get an temp Australian phone to use over there?

bernardgbailey

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#135743 5-Jun-2008 19:08

Yes Nate

That is what I meant by "get a Vodafone phone for the period"

I meant an Australian Vodafone phone and then having a follow me off the telecom phone for those that must keep their NZ number working.

Does anyone have any package details from Australia?
Cheers
Bernard

Going with the flow means going down the gurgler with everyone else. Dare to strike out on your own.

nate

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#135746 5-Jun-2008 19:14

bernardgbailey: Yes Nate

That is what I meant by "get a Vodafone phone for the period"

Sorry Bernard didn't read your original post properly :)

Have you tried ringing Vodafone Australia? One idea I've had is using WorldxChange's VFX service, setup a number and forward it to your mobile - it's only 27 cents to Australian mobiles. It would only work incoming though.

bernardgbailey

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#135749 5-Jun-2008 19:20

Hi Nate,

That looks like a possibilty

I'll look into it.
Cheers

Going with the flow means going down the gurgler with everyone else. Dare to strike out on your own.