Advice wanted: SIM-Only for Australian trip

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Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#101906 11-May-2012 13:20

He Geekzoners, I'm going to spend 8 days in Melbourne in June and was looking for advice on SIM only deals in Australia.
I need a bit of everything: Mobile data for maps and internet, Calling & texting my friend who lives there to arrange meeting up and lunches etc as I will be looking after myself for 3 days while she has to work.

Has anyone been in the same boat recently and learned anything useful I should be wary of or found a great deal with a particular Telco in Australia?

DLS

GregV

928 posts

Ultimate Geek

#623526 11-May-2012 13:27

Check this thread - http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=11&topicid=99316
Helped me a lot :)

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#623543 11-May-2012 13:57

amaysim is IMHO the best deal around only costs $2 for a SIM card

Just be aware the whole signup and registration process for any Australian provider takes time as they require ID (ie no anonymous prepay phones).

Talkiet

4792 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#623573 11-May-2012 15:21

I've just spent a week in Aussie a couple of weeks ago and wanted the same thing. There is a perfect answer.

Optus Yes! have a $2/day plan and it's unlimited Aussie phone calls, aussie texts, and unlimited data (On Device browsing - not tethering)

There's no SIM or startup fee and the minimum is I think $15 (That's what I paid).

Coverage was substantially worse than here in NZ and speeds weren't great at times, but it was a bargain.

And yes, take 2 forms of ID including passport, and have an Aussie address (even a hotel is fine) with you. There was a counter at Sydney airport and it took me all of 10 minutes to set it up... 5 minutes of that time was incredulously asking the guy what the catch was.

Boom. This: https://www.optus.com.au/shop/prepaidmobile/2dollardays

BTW, I was able to tether just fine - there was no technical limitation. ALso, I used a Galaxy nexus which has many bands of goodness - I don't know what bands Optus used

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

CapBBeard

211 posts

Master Geek

#623580 11-May-2012 15:47

Be aware that Optus block tethering on iPhones if you are on prepaid - I got caught out with that last year.

I was over there in April and grabbed a Telstra SIM, it was actually pretty painless as they allow you to sign up over the internet. I was able to do so by simply entering my passport number; I didn't need to get any photocopies/take the physical passport in to a store or anything. I also had to enter an address - just the hotel I was staying at was fine. 5 minutes later and I was connected. They have a variety of plans available, although I did buy a $30 SIM (it was a 15 day trip do I didn't mind spending a bit more).

trig42

5813 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#623583 11-May-2012 15:56

Talkiet: I've just spent a week in Aussie a couple of weeks ago and wanted the same thing. There is a perfect answer.

Optus Yes! have a $2/day plan and it's unlimited Aussie phone calls, aussie texts, and unlimited data (On Device browsing - not tethering)

There's no SIM or startup fee and the minimum is I think $15 (That's what I paid).

Coverage was substantially worse than here in NZ and speeds weren't great at times, but it was a bargain.

And yes, take 2 forms of ID including passport, and have an Aussie address (even a hotel is fine) with you. There was a counter at Sydney airport and it took me all of 10 minutes to set it up... 5 minutes of that time was incredulously asking the guy what the catch was.

Boom. This: https://www.optus.com.au/shop/prepaidmobile/2dollardays

BTW, I was able to tether just fine - there was no technical limitation. ALso, I used a Galaxy nexus which has many bands of goodness - I don't know what bands Optus used

Cheers - N

I was in Melbourne a few weeks back and wanted to do this, but the Optus counter in Melbourne arrivals don't do this, apparently you have to go upstairs to another Optus shop. Just a heads up.

pv2662

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#623585 11-May-2012 15:59

I was in Melbourne last month and used this SIM only plan from Crazy John's, here's the link
http://www.crazyjohns.com.au/sim-only-value-plans/
It was a good deal and cheap international calling rates!

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#623587 11-May-2012 16:07

This is all good info guys thanks. Probably do the $2 a day option at the airport [Upstairs]. Last thing I need is to be lost or late with no way to contact my friend.

Australia is strange in that even with no credit she is able to call landlines and text people within Australia.
Progressive.

Although just looking at the Crazy John's one now. Looks promising, will just depend on which one is more convenient to obtain.
My friend said she would pick one up for me and CJ's is pretty close to where she works.

Seem to be 12 month contract prices at Crazy John's. Unless I am looking at the wrong ones.

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pv2662

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#623639 11-May-2012 18:11

Hmmm, not so sure about that.

This is the one that I used - http://www.crazyjohns.com.au/sim-starter-pack-$15/

Beaker

74 posts

Master Geek

#623795 11-May-2012 22:08

I was there recently and got a sim from amaysim (www.amaysim.com) reasonable price for data rates (piggybacks off Optus) and in a CBD the coverage should be sweet.. outside a CBD its a bit scratchy and often dropped to GPRS. You will need your passport to purchase one tho.. get it from K-Mart or a 7 eleven or something like that.