Casual Mobile Data Which Has Roaming

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › Casual Mobile Data Which Has Roaming

Technofreak

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#290605 22-Nov-2021 15:48

I need a data sim for my tablet. It is for intermittent/casual use so I'm thinking a prepaid option. I also need to use it in OZ from time to time.

I don't see any data plans that have roaming built in.

I was thinking of just getting something like a Spark prepaid sim (cheapest $19/4 weeks, paying when I needed to use it) and just adding a data roaming pack when I need it. I don't need the minutes or texts though I have the ability to use them on the tablet. It seemed to be the simplest way of getting both casual data and roaming.

Any better ideas out there?

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

1 | 2 | 3

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#2817300 22-Nov-2021 21:42

Bump. Any suggestions better than what I have figured out?

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

DeroyBoy

262 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

Trusted

#2817303 22-Nov-2021 21:53

Spark only allow prepaid to use 3G when roaming.

In the past I have used Skinny roaming and was able to get 4G while roaming (in China, haven't tried in Oz) so would recommend them over Spark.

Costs of the roaming packs is the same for both from memory.

MaxineN

Max
2049 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1662

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2817304 22-Nov-2021 21:54

If all you need is data why not try and get a local sim instead while in aussie? Be much cheaper and you'd get more bang for buck vs paying our roaming rates.

Ramblings from a mysterious lady who's into tech. Warning I may often create zingers.

Technofreak

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#2817307 22-Nov-2021 22:12

DeroyBoy:

Spark only allow prepaid to use 3G when roaming.

In the past I have used Skinny roaming and was able to get 4G while roaming (in China, haven't tried in Oz) so would recommend them over Spark.

Costs of the roaming packs is the same for both from memory.

Thanks. Didn't realise the 3G limitation with Spark. Do you have a reference for that or was it just by experience that you knew that was the case? I wonder if that will always be like that? I did notice the roaming packs were the same price for both Skinny and Spark. I already use Spark prepaid hence the original suggestion of using Spark.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Technofreak

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#2817309 22-Nov-2021 22:16

MaxineN: If all you need is data why not try and get a local sim instead while in aussie? Be much cheaper and you'd get more bang for buck vs paying our roaming rates.

I agree re the bang for buck. I already have an Optus data only prepaid sim but they went and cancelled it and I cannot re-activate it. The only option is to go to a store and that's out of the question this time around. Hence looking at a New Zealand sim.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

phrozenpenguin

868 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 90

#2817311 22-Nov-2021 22:27

I'm on 2Degrees and use the shared data facility so I have data on my iPad which uses data from my main plan. Works great.

I haven't needed to use roaming so not sure on that availability.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

DeroyBoy

262 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 35

Trusted

#2817312 22-Nov-2021 22:30

Technofreak:

DeroyBoy:

Spark only allow prepaid to use 3G when roaming.

In the past I have used Skinny roaming and was able to get 4G while roaming (in China, haven't tried in Oz) so would recommend them over Spark.

Costs of the roaming packs is the same for both from memory.

Thanks. Didn't realise the 3G limitation with Spark. Do you have a reference for that or was it just by experience that you knew that was the case? I wonder if that will always be like that? I did notice the roaming packs were the same price for both Skinny and Spark. I already use Spark prepaid hence the original suggestion of using Spark.

https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/internationalroaming.html

empacher48

376 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 283

#2817313 22-Nov-2021 22:33

Technofreak:

MaxineN: If all you need is data why not try and get a local sim instead while in aussie? Be much cheaper and you'd get more bang for buck vs paying our roaming rates.

I agree re the bang for buck. I already have an Optus data only prepaid sim but they went and cancelled it and I cannot re-activate it. The only option is to go to a store and that's out of the question this time around. Hence looking at a New Zealand sim.

Back when the bubble was open I had an Optus sim for my phone while in Aus, they had a $1 a day plan that gave you 1Gb of data each day, which carried over. So when I was in NZ the data built up to use when I was staying in either the Gold Coast or Melbourne.

Pre Covid I had the Optus sim for Oz, a Vodafone Fiji sim for our trips to Nadi and a Vodafone sim for the Cooks. It was cheaper, easier and more reliable to do that than using Roaming, especially when you’re visiting those places multiple times a month.

Technofreak

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#2817316 22-Nov-2021 22:49

DeroyBoy:

https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/internationalroaming.html

That's a bit of a bugger. 4G would be very nice but that means paying every month whereas I was only going to top up when needed using prepaid. However the new Gold $15 roll over plan might still work and add on the roaming when I need it. I get by without mobile data here in NZ on my tablet but it would be handy at times. Hmmm, food for thought.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Technofreak

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#2817369 22-Nov-2021 22:55

empacher48:

Back when the bubble was open I had an Optus sim for my phone while in Aus, they had a $1 a day plan that gave you 1Gb of data each day, which carried over. So when I was in NZ the data built up to use when I was staying in either the Gold Coast or Melbourne.

Pre Covid I had the Optus sim for Oz, a Vodafone Fiji sim for our trips to Nadi and a Vodafone sim for the Cooks. It was cheaper, easier and more reliable to do that than using Roaming, especially when you’re visiting those places multiple times a month.

I only get to Aussie once or twice a year for work and perhaps one other time for personal reasons. Covid has prevented any work trips till now but am about to head over for work shortly so checking out my options. The likes of Optus is my first choice but we'll be like we're in MIQ while we're there so there'll be no chance to buy a new sim card unless they can deliver it to the hotel.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

1024kb

1197 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 519

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2817510 23-Nov-2021 11:23

This is the ideal use case for eSIM.

Megabyte - so geek it megahertz

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

shk292

2915 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2040

Lifetime subscriber

#2817511 23-Nov-2021 11:28

You could get a Three UK SIM from ebay and use the free roaming to use in NZ or Aus as required. Their casual data rates are quite good, as are the package rates for when you actually travel

empacher48

376 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 283

#2817562 23-Nov-2021 11:29

Technofreak:
I only get to Aussie once or twice a year for work and perhaps one other time for personal reasons. Covid has prevented any work trips till now but am about to head over for work shortly so checking out my options. The likes of Optus is my first choice but we'll be like we're in MIQ while we're there so there'll be no chance to buy a new sim card unless they can deliver it to the hotel.

You may be able to get Coles or Woolies to deliver to the hotel, they do stock the SIM cards and get any other snacks/food delivered.

Technofreak

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#2817571 23-Nov-2021 11:41

empacher48:
Technofreak:

I only get to Aussie once or twice a year for work and perhaps one other time for personal reasons. Covid has prevented any work trips till now but am about to head over for work shortly so checking out my options. The likes of Optus is my first choice but we'll be like we're in MIQ while we're there so there'll be no chance to buy a new sim card unless they can deliver it to the hotel.

You may be able to get Coles or Woolies to deliver to the hotel, they do stock the SIM cards and get any other snacks/food delivered.

Been chatting online with Optus and working on similar solution.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Technofreak

6656 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3474

Trusted

#2817572 23-Nov-2021 11:44

1024kb: This is the ideal use case for eSIM.

That gave me an idea. I found this online, anyone used eSIM.me https://esim.me

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

1 | 2 | 3