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TeleChoice $18 LIVE Global Plan (3G Telstra Network) 24mth Plan

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I have used the Telechoice Global Liberty Starter Plan https://www.telechoice.com.au/sim-plans/24-months/global-lib… for almost two years. It's served me really well no matter where I am in VIC (I live in Gladstone Park, VIC) and despite some early admin issues with setting up the account (back in 2013) I can safely say this is a great low usage BYO phone deal. Reception and reliability of service has been constantly very high (Using Nexus 4)

I know some of you will quickly grab your pitchforks and say "But it's not full Telstra 4G reception, how dare you!" however I can honestly say I've been all around VIC and as high up as Rockhampton in QLD with no issues whatsoever with reception quality.

This $18 LIVE Global plan gives you:

3G TELSTRA NETWORK RECEPTION
$300 worth of National calls, MMS (MMS 50c, ALL National calls e.g. 1300, 13 40c call connection, 99c per min - standard rate for a national 2min call is $2.38)
UNLIMITED SMS
300MB Data
UNLIMITED calls TeleChoice to TeleChoice (great for families/friends)

Only 2 catches are:
BYO phone
24mth plan

No added fees at all - Direct debit from linked bank/credit account or BPAY, AusPost etc.

Ok, I admit those of you who are consuming lots of data watching YouTube and surfing Facebook as you take the train to work, then making 3hrs of phone calls from your office building while you pretend to work think this is for cheapskates, I believe this deal is a great one.

Summary of plan details (CIS) here: https://c177.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/cb49bfb4b790336668e5cfe2339…

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  • I wish 300g data

    • just beat by milli second

  • +2

    OP it's 300MB of data not 300G. 300G of mobile data would be crazy and awesome!

    • Thanks, sorry - updated!

  • Wait a minute… 300 Gigabytes cellular data!??

  • +4

    The $20 unlimited plan from Boost is much better value for most people. 1GB data, unlimited text and 100 minutes of calls.

    • -2

      But the hassle of recharging and you only get 100mins talk time, the TC plan gives you more. Plus with Boost, you need to buy a sim at $2 -http://www.boost.com.au/CIS1_Mar_31_15.pdf

      • I actually bought the sim starter pack for $20,so you don't need to buy the sim in addition to the recharge

      • The Boost plan also has three times the data, which is more useful than calls for most people.

  • +8

    I would pick $20 Global Liberty Starter Plan instead of one suggest by OP.

    For extra $2, you get 1 gig data and $500 worth of call.

    • +1

      I too mentioned I had this plan, but if you feel you don't need the $500/1GB, then the Live Global Plan is great too because of the reduced cost ($24 per annum) and this plan includes MMS into the $300 spend (@50c ea), whereas the Global Liberty DOES NOT. It charges 55c on top of the $20 per month.

  • +3

    Surely Vaya's Power plan ($18 for 4G 1.5GB, $650 call credit and unlimited SMS) is better value, and it's a month to month thing instead of being locked in for 24 months.

    Granted their customer service has had some criticism, but I've never had any issues dealing with them.

    • But Vaya are an Optus network reseller - is their 4G reliable (genuine question)?
      Here's their CIS: http://www.vaya.net.au/downloads/CIS-POWER-PLAN-18-V3.pdf

      • I don't have a 4G phone anyway (iPhone 4S), but I've had very few issues with 3G reception, except the occasional dropout when I'm on a train.

        Nothing particularly worse than ALDIMobile (which I used previously and is a Telstra reseller) in my experiences.

        They seem to have done away with the unlimited Vaya to Vaya allowance however, which is a little bit of a let down

        • +1

          If you have a 3G only phone, I'd bet Telstra 3G (TeleChoice) reception would be better than Optus 3G in almost all areas 20KM outside Capital Cities. Another reason I'd take a hit on call spend and 500MB data differential.

        • +1

          Thanks for your insight rawm, but unfortunately I really don't think this deal is worth the extra 24 month commitment and price and data sacrifices given that there are better options available.

        • +1

          @cooldude123: I agree, this isn't much of a deal but also like to agree that Optus sux.

        • @Where's_That_Cake: optus and vaya (aka live connected) are terrible.
          Try go to any satellite city and Optus is unbearable. I've spent a lot of time in the gong - and often had to stand in a specific spot in town to get a call. Have experienced similar problems in Newcastle, Taree, Gawler, Victor Harbour, etc. Optus was consistently bad.
          Also, 3G refers to data speed - not calls.
          I would not recommend vaya/live connected to anyone these days.
          I think the $20 telechoice on a 12m contract is the current best option for most people. As I don't use 1gb data/month and I don't make $500 calls, it's perfect. If you breach either of these caps, then I don't know what I'd recommend. I've had over 10 friends follow me to telechoice. All (but 1) are happy. One friend thinks sms is slower on Samsung ;). I won't tell you what I said, it'd start a flame war!!

        • @rawm:

          Actually, in my experience Optus is much better than Telechoice in regional areas and some metro areas.
          Telstra however is much better than the 2 combined.

          … and yes I have the right frequency phones for the right networks etc etc…

        • @Frig: I even had problems with Optus in the heart of Sydney. One of my friends said "you're on Floptus, aren't you?". It was the first time I'd heard of floptus.
          I used to work in a remote location. You soon learned who had Telstra - you always needed them to make a call.

        • @DeWalt:

          Maybe so, but people confuse Telechoice with Telstra. Telechoice only uses the wholesale Telstra network - not the full network.

          I was in the Coles downstairs in World Square and Optus and Telstra had service but Telechoice didn't. Yes, I have 3 phones.

        • @Frig: my wife just got out of Optus. In the Central West it's awful, they keep saying it's because they're upgrading the network but that's been going on for a year now.

      • +1

        been using for 2 weeks now. The 4G in city area seems ok

    • Yes agree. The Vaya plan is also 3G and sure Telstra may have better coverage for 3G in the country areas but for most people in the suburbs the extra calls and extra data are a winner and you are not tied down for 24 months.

    • Granted their customer service has had some criticism, but I've never had any issues dealing with them.

      Wait until you try to leave. You WILL get billed an extra month (or possibly more especially if you don't tell them you've ported out - but don't do that until after the successful port or you will lose your number) etc etc

      • +3

        I had no issues porting from Vaya or LiveConnected. I did get charged about $60 - they said they had to bill me for an extra month and billed me for 2 months, plus 2x $10 plan freeze fees (equals $60). I even contacted them to say I didn't accept the $10 freeze fee. They didn't care and charged me for it anyway… I think the argument was "if you don't accept, we jack the plan to $22 anyway".

        So, no recommendations for Vaya or LiveConnected.

  • +1

    The only Android app that checks the Telechoice usage is now malfunction. (MyUsage). Not sure about iOS.

    • Have not hear of this and can't see it on Google Play - link?

      • -2

        I bought the full version, it worth the money when it works.

        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cmengler.m…

        • Yes, but it doesn't work anymore for Telechoice.

        • @f4te:

          None of other does. Any other app can check for the usage of Telechoice ?

        • @fatice: Data widget for IPS can monitor data usage regardless of who you are with. I have it and it seems to work, but I never go close to 1gb - so I can't say for sure it works.

        • @DeWalt:

          I use Android system to monitor my usage. But it is not as good as myUsage when it works.

  • I use the $20 plan. So far so good.

    • Yep, agreed - but this deal is similar and a viable option too IMO.

  • +6

    Honestly, how is this a deal comparing to the the $20 Global Liberty and the $12.50 Global starter?

    For $2 more you get $200 more credit and 700MB more data or save yourself $5.5 for just $100 less credit and 100MB less data. I know you don't get the umlimited SMS and included MMS from the $12.50 plan but IMO this one has the worst value in their BYO range (2nd worst is their $55 unlimited which only has 100 minutes of international calls).

    I respect your effort rawm and agree with everything you said about the coverage etc as I am also a happy user on the $20 plan.

    However, this is NOT a deal.

    • 'I respect your effort rawm and agree with everything you said about the coverage etc as I am also a happy user on the $20 plan.'

      Thanks max, judging by this deal's response I might go and crawl inside a cave (with my 3G coverage of course) and reevaluate my life :P

      • maxhu was simply saying "if you want cheaper, go for the $12.50 telechoice plan". Makes sense.
        If you are willing to pay a bit more - or you use a bit more, then that's a different story - but the telechoice $20 plan wasn't excluded by maxhu.
        FWIW, most people know Optus coverage is second to Telstra - but competition is good.

      • Rofl, take it easy mate. Just saying it's not really a deal value wise. Not meant to be a life changing neg :p.

  • Seems pretty crappy

  • +1

    OP, will you downgrade to this plan to save $2/month?

    • Good question - I'd have to say no, but only because my usage needs would slightly exceed the 300MB data and $300 worth of calls (I've removed my landline in favour of faster NBN). Otherwise for these groups this plan would be perfect I believe.
      1. 12-16yo kids (they prefer SMS conversations) who's parents are happy to pay for a low usage plan but will make regular calls to kids (and visa versa)
      2. Someone on a low income who doesn't use social media/YouTube all that much
      3. Someone who just wants a phone for basic needs
      4. Elderly/Aged who want to contact friends/family

      • +3

        Some Courts in Australia are sentencing Minors to 2 years on a 300MB/month plan instead of sending them to Juvenile Detention Centres. Most youth would rather be locked up.

        • haha, suitable punishment IMO.

  • +1

    $2/month for 700mb and more standard credit for calls.

    Vaya $18 power plan or Telechoice $20 global plan… Vaya is better on most fronts except no international calling included in their standard credit.

    • -1

      Yes, you may be right, but how many people here are critical of Optus and want to be on the Telstra network?!

    • if you exclude mobile phone coverage and customer service, Vaya is definitely better :)

      I used both - I had quite a few friends experience the same grief I did. I've been contacted by 3 friends in the last fortnight who changed away from Vaya and Live Connected. I have a good basis for comparison.

  • +3

    This is an awful deal.

    Like maxhu said, for $2 more you can get the Telechoice Global Liberty plan with $500 calls & 1 GB data in total.

    I'm on this plan.

    • as is OP, nuff said

  • No good for outback coverage!

  • +2

    LMAO…300mb..they're trying to catch and rip off those people who don't know anything about data usage

    They had $20/m for $500 calls, and 1gb data before…so much less inclusion for $2 less..no deal!

  • -3

    Some one talk about Vaya Plan. Just be careful with Vaya as I have to pay $150+ for using just half a gig extra data. I have three services with them and have to eventually move due to outrageous high excess data rate.

    If you do not want to be worried about excess data use, Optus, Telstra or may be Spintel is an option. Spintel excess data is $15 bucks each GB. However if you need new sim, they will charge $25 each time.

    • +1

      Telstra would charge you alot more for excess usage

    • +1

      Doesn't really make sense as Vaya only charge $10/GB for extra usage…

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