Keeping OnAccount number + free2call number while overseas?

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Ramsu

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#19157 7-Feb-2008 14:19

Hi All,

My partner & I are heading overseas for 8 months, leaving near the end of May this year. (heading through south east asia, then on to the UK and Europe).

I've been an OnAccount customer with Vodafone for approx 6-7 years, and had the same number all that time.
Currently have a Get70 plan (previously a get200 plan), and also a free2call 75 plan (with 75 incl minutes)

Now as we're coming back to NZ in Jan 2009, I'd like to keep my numbers, is this possible?
As both my numbers (021 and 0800) are essential.

I tried to call vodafone, but didn't get a very helpful person the first time.

Can anyone give me advice on the following questions:

1. How can I keep my 6 digit 021 xxxxxx number?

a) Wait until April 1st, as I've read on geekzone that maybe Vodafone will open up more porting options? (and port my onaccount number to prepay?)

b) Put on the cheapest onaccount plan possible (what is this? youchoose base plan? Remember I'm currently on a $20 get70 plan)

c) Port to Telecom (don't really want to do this)

d) Anything else?

2. How can I keep my 0800 free2call number (currently through Vodafone)?

a) Point to a prepay number? (although I'm not sure Vodafone allow this?)

b) Transfer 0800 number to another provider? (Does anyone know any 0800 number providers who DON'T charge monthly fee's, e.g. only 'pay as you use' plan)

c) Keep the 0800 free2call number with vodafone, on the cheapest possible plan? (as above, whats the cheapest possible monthly plan?) $20 youchoose?

3. Roaming: Whats the best way to go about roaming? (taking note that I don't really need it)

a) Should I use vodafone roaming, what have others used while going to the UK / Europe?
Whats the cheapest option for this? So I can receive txt's, and check my phone once a week or something?

b) Ideally we would want to buy pre-pay sim cards once in the UK? (e.g. with Vodafone UK) Who do you recommend for prepay in the UK / Europe?

Thanks, if you can give advice on any of the above, that would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Mike

www.ramsu.co.nz

mikal

172 posts

Master Geek

#109113 7-Feb-2008 17:03

I'm not sure if you can do this still but what about just turning the sim-card into a "data" simcard with just a 3mb allowance which is like $11.25 a month.
The voice charges are expensive as but if you are planning on only just wanting to keep the number for when you get back then it could be an option for you.

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#109132 7-Feb-2008 18:30

Consider Choose 20 with Casual 0800 number. That way you only pay $20 per minute + any charges from people calling your 0800 number.

In regards to roaming, consider purchasing a local SIM card and having your VFNZ connection fowarding the call to that, as its $0.49c per minute to call the UK compared to $1 per minute for roaming (who knows what Traveller is).

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johnr

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#109138 7-Feb-2008 18:53

Put all connections on the lowest plans. Free2call causal plan and request bar on it this means no incoming calls. Request bar to be removed when you get back. Voice connection the same. Any connection that is closed the number is released in either 30 or 90 days and this cant be changed.

Ramsu

45 posts

Geek

#109152 7-Feb-2008 19:44

Thanks guys, that sounds like the best and only solution.

- Change from my Get70 to a YouChoose 20
- Change my free2call 75, to free2call casual, and block calls
- Once in the UK, get a prepay sim, and forward all my calls to that number (49c per min from NZ, anytime)

And pay $20 per month.
Was hoping not to pay a monthly fee for 8 months while I'm away, but alas its the only solution.

Also, if I activate roaming, but have all calls forwarded to a UK number, what happens to TXT's when I'm in the UK??

Can I use roaming, take my sim with me, put in my phone once a week, and receive TXT's from NZ? (as TXT's can't be forwarded)

Does it cost to receive TXT's while on roaming? (couldn't find any info on this on the VF website).

Thanks

www.ramsu.co.nz

cokemaster

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#109154 7-Feb-2008 19:47

Recieving texts is free while roaming. Sending isn't.

JohnR will be able to confirm this - on VFNZ do you still get SMS if you forward ALL calls to another number? That way you could leave your SIM in a spare phone and not worry about calls.

Just a note about get 70 - once you switch, you won't be able to go back....

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Ramsu

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#109157 7-Feb-2008 19:56

cokemaster: Recieving texts is free while roaming. Sending isn't.

JohnR will be able to confirm this - on VFNZ do you still get SMS if you forward ALL calls to another number? That way you could leave your SIM in a spare phone and not worry about calls.

Just a note about get 70 - once you switch, you won't be able to go back....

Ok, so receiving TXT's is free, thanks.

Yip its a bugger if I switch from my get70, I can't get it back :(

Catch 22, as international calls to the UK (for forwarding) for the get70 plan are $1.39 peak, and $0.49 offpeak.
Where as on the youchoose plan, its $0.49 anytime.

So I'd prefer the cheaper international rate, for any forwarded calls.

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#109160 7-Feb-2008 20:09

Also see if you can put your account on a three month "holiday", at least that will give you a few more $$ savings

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johnr

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#109178 7-Feb-2008 21:21

cokemaster: Recieving texts is free while roaming. Sending isn't.

JohnR will be able to confirm this - on VFNZ do you still get SMS if you forward ALL calls to another number? That way you could leave your SIM in a spare phone and not worry about calls.

Just a note about get 70 - once you switch, you won't be able to go back....

if you forward all calls only voice calls will forward not sms. Make sure you dont have a international toll bar as well.

Ramsu

45 posts

Geek

#109180 7-Feb-2008 21:27

if you forward all calls only voice calls will forward not sms. Make sure you dont have a international toll bar as well.

BUT do SMS messages arrive on the original NZ sim, while voice calls are forwarded?

E.g.
I arrive in the UK, have 2 sims:
- My NZ sim, +64 21 xxxxxx
- A UK sim, +44 xxxxxxxxx

- I setup roaming, and call forwarding, so all calls to my NZ SIM forward directly to my UK Sim.

- Do SMS/TXT messages still get sent to my NZ SIM? (Can I put my NZ SIM into a phone, and check for TXT messages, free of charge?)

www.ramsu.co.nz

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#109181 7-Feb-2008 21:28

Yes

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#109185 7-Feb-2008 22:05

My suggestion.

Leave on Get70 unless you intend on answering calls overseas. (You cannot go back on to this plan once changed)
Change to Choose20 only if you want to have Vodafone traveller for cheaper incoming roaming calls.

Turn Free2call into a "casual" free2call.

forward all calls to voicemail and have a message giving out a new number or to txt me. (remember it's usually much cheaper to call overseas than up the road with our pricing system)

take active phone with NZ Sim with you to get any SMS that sombody may send you (free to receive while roaming)

This is only what I'd do and may not be your best plan.

About porting to Telecom, I ported an 021 number across, The 0800 free2call is still active with Vodafone and forwards nicely to my ported telecom handset... lol.

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#109226 8-Feb-2008 08:28

mikal:
cokemaster: Recieving texts is free while roaming. Sending isn't.

JohnR will be able to confirm this - on VFNZ do you still get SMS if you forward ALL calls to another number? That way you could leave your SIM in a spare phone and not worry about calls.

Just a note about get 70 - once you switch, you won't be able to go back....

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/roaming/costs-and-savings.jsp

.80 cents to receive a text

You mean to send a TXT? Vodafone do not charge to receive TXT's

sbiddle

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#109227 8-Feb-2008 08:30

Something John maybe able to answer - is SMS forwarding possible with the SMSR's? I know that it didn't work with the old SMSC's even if you used the * codes for SMS forwarding. I can't even remember what these are now to test and most phones don't have SMS forwarding in the call forward options since virtually no networks ever implimented it!

mikal

172 posts

Master Geek

#109228 8-Feb-2008 08:31

sbiddle:
mikal:
cokemaster: Recieving texts is free while roaming. Sending isn't.

JohnR will be able to confirm this - on VFNZ do you still get SMS if you forward ALL calls to another number? That way you could leave your SIM in a spare phone and not worry about calls.

Just a note about get 70 - once you switch, you won't be able to go back....

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/roaming/costs-and-savings.jsp

.80 cents to receive a text

You mean to send a TXT? Vodafone do not charge to receive TXT's

sorry mistaken :o