Telstra Ending Google PlayStore Carrier Billing for ALL Prepaid Plans (Inc. Long Life, Simplicity)?

Received an SMS from Telstra basically saying they are ending the ability to use Telstra credit for Google Play purchases for my Telstra Prepaid (currently on Long Life plan). Just wondering whether anyone else received the same SMS from Telstra.

The SMS indicates I won't be able to use my recharge credit for any Google Play purchase starting 13/09/2017. Essentially, I have about 1 day remaining to use the feature.

Had a quick chat with the 24x7 chat support. The support person told me it is not an official Telstra SMS, even though it looks like an official SMS from Telstra.

Also, only the SIM with active Google Play to Telstra carrier billing received this SMS so far.

Telstra have now revised the terms and conditions of their prepaid plans. It simply states unless stated otherwise in the offer, your inclusions can’t be used for Google Play purchases, rather than mentioning it for Prepaid Extra (the new plan name for Prepaid Plus) and Day2Day.

Some people on the really old Prepaid Freedom Plus plan have not yet received the SMS, but some have. The old prepaid freedom plus plan (no longer available) allows you to keep your credits and still have the bonuses if you recharge every month.

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Comments

  • +1

    yup, long life here and not eligible anymore (last night still worked)

  • I have simplicity plan and was able to transfer credit last night but get a message that google play is not available on the current plan when I tried tonight.

  • same here - I tried on my dad's sim which is on long life/simplicity from a while back. I was able to buy stuff at 2am this morning but now get an error when I try Telstra billing :(

  • I won't be buying any more prepaid packs then.

    Good thing I used all of mine already.

  • Bummer. Just received two sums in the post yesterday and didn't see this post until this morning

  • Well damn. Had $700 in credit on my account, never got around to cashing it out.

    • I suppose you can still me2u? Sell it on ebay possibly?

    • +1

      If you didn't get the SMS, you should still be able to initiate DCB. I recommend getting woo woo wisdom and cashing out.

  • Still working for me. I'll move to another provider if it doesn't.

  • I just tried using it for OneDrive subscription and am able to use Telstra Billing. I am on the Freedom Plus.
    If it stops working, I will port out.

    • The 200GB OneDrive cloud storage offer? Isn't that available to any Telstra customer? Might even be possible to get it with a $2 Telstra SIM pack…

      • Not the 200GB offer. This is the One drive premium subscription for 1TB storage for up to 5 people (+ Ms Office)

        • Have you tried Google Play Music?

        • @tryagain: I am already subscribed to Google Play Music. It renewed successfully yesterday but on the account settings page, it states that it is ineligible for subscription which is very odd.

        • @tryagain: Quite a lot of people on the old Freedom Plus or Cap Encore appear to be unaffected by this change. Perhaps Telstra feels that these are regular customers (since they recharge every month).

        • @DrPotato: The change happened in the afternoon for me (I was able to make Google Play purchases in the morning). But, if you have not received the SMS, it most likely means you are not affected by this.

        • @DrPotato:
          I am on freedom plus, all my existing subscriptions are going through but the option for new subscriptions of modifying my existing ones with Telstra comes up as ineligible, Already have the one drive subscription through another method so can't try for that one. I think the option to subscribe is lost, not sure how one drive fits into that though.

        • @tryagain: Try signing up to some other application which uses Google Play subscriptions. It should work. Are you able to make purchases?

        • @DrPotato:

          Yeah, can make other purchases. Took me a while to think of another subscription but it appears I can subscribe to plex pass, can you subscribe to Netflix? just trying to make sense of what and why some subscriptions are blocked, but others aren't.

        • @tryagain: Netflix isn't allowing Google play subscription at all and only credit card, PayPal and voucher so I can't tell but it is working for another app subscription. Clearly, I am not affected by this… yet

    • Hi, i just tried to buy a movie and book. It did not let me :(

  • On Cap Encore. No SMS weeeeee

    • Encore here - got it yesterday arvo =(

  • -2

    Hi all, I just tried to buy a 1c book and rent a movie. It did not allow me (says telstra is unavailable). I am on freedom plus and I have not received any message. In about 2 weeks Netflix should renew, so by then it will let me know if old subscriptions will stay.
    I think it's completely gone for everyone :( Only good thing for me is that there is a current cheap Optus offer, for people that tried optus sport. I will give the 7 vouchers left to my daughter (silly me I bought 8 on offer during coles discount).

    • Tried to buy a movie on Google Play and it shows Telstra billing. I didn't go through with the purchase since I don't need it but it likely will.

      • That's good then. I will try in the phone later as it was done via tablet

    • +3

      False alarm: still works on phone :v)

  • I just renewed a subscription on my "Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband Data Pass". It worked, I didn't receive any SMSes either. Hopefully it stays that way!

  • +7

    Just bought some pokecoins on Pokémon Go and went through fine. Freedom plus

    • Yes freedom plus, no SMS still works. I am wondering if credit in windows store still works. I remember reading a while back you can spend money for apps etc. just a thought (even though I don't think it's as good as play store, but worth checking if you have a spare windows phone)

  • -1

    Can this be used for apple store? I have a android so never tried.

    • Nope. Only works with Android.. and I assume they still support Windows Phone too.

  • I am on Freedom Plus, didn't receive any SMS and I just subscribed to the Formula 1 in-app subscription. There were two options for carrier billing, one was not eligible but the other was.

  • +1

    Freedom Plus here, and still working.

  • I am on Prepaid freedom plus haven't received any SMS
    currently have Google Play Sub via Android store $12 pm

    If I buy these cards https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/329648
    activate the sim on long-life and then do credit me2U to my main SIM
    Will this work?

    • They stopped allowing Google Play billing on Prepaid Freedom Plus some time ago. Well probably on new SIM activations.

      • No, I am on old freedom plus
        its been not available since 2 years at least maybe more

  • I tried to buy an app for the first time on play store and got a payment declined error. Movies work fine though

  • My wife is in the old encore, just resubbed to Netflix with no issues so still works for encore at least.

  • How long does woo woo wisdom take to transfer?

    • Within 7 days is usual, but a busy time this week so may take longer.

    • I made a number of purchases on 12th. Let's see when I'll get the money.

      • +1

        I imagine he's snowed under with requests for wisdom. I'm still slightly concerned I may not achieve enlightenment…

        • +1

          I've used it many times and never had a single issue. If concerned send an email. He usually replies and explains if there is a slight delay due to large number of transactions.

        • @finbar: thanks mate. I sent an email to [email protected] on the 12th. Haven't received a reply though.

        • +1

          @acer4una:

          Fair enough. I dare say he is pretty busy with many more transactions than normal this week lol

        • @finbar: Yep all good my end too.

      • Purchased $60 from a $1 & $10 SIM early on 12/9, in PayPal account early today 18/9.

        • I got mine yesterday. He also did respond to email.

  • Are there any options to recover the credit value from this? I was just going to buy music when I booted up the phone and got the SMS.

    And isn't a 2-day notice period a bit too short? And SMS, while convenient, doesn't seem to be a very proper method to deliver changes to T&C.

  • Just to add to the knowledge base. I have the old Encore. A few days ago I checked my Netflix subscription. Telstra was ticked for payment but was marked "ineligible". Decided to do nothing, I didn't try to update. Yesterday the payment went through at $11.99 as usual.

  • is that mean, none of the prepaid plan now can use to buy google app?

    • +1

      That's right. You cannot use Telstra Prepaid Credits on any of the current active prepaid plans. Only the really old prepaid freedom plus and the old encore plan (which are no longer available) still support carrier billing.

      • can't you just send the credit M2U from long life or simplicity to freedom plus or old encore plan? or can you not use credit M2U anymore?

  • Anyone on F+ but getting 'Your prepaid offer isn't eligible for Telstra Billing'?

    • I was trying to activate an account the other day as I had maxed out for the month.
      I activated on Long Life…it came up with isn't eligible for Telstra Billing. So I called Telstra, and the guy said I had to change to Simplicity,
      so I changed, recharged, still the same problems, then I phoned Telstra again and the guy said new accounts aren't allowed to get the Carrier Billing at all no matter what account now. They sent me $10 credit for my trouble…what a joke.

      • Telstra stopped it for Long Life and Simplicity back in September.
        A small number of people on really old plans are still able to use it (probably because Telstra didn't those two grandfathered plans are still effective - they did stop current version of those two plans even earlier than they stopped Long Life and Simplicity, because you could really double dip - get decent mobile plan, and still use the $30 credit in full). Anyway, looks like Telstra is putting an end to this… sigh….

  • I just received a txt from Telstra advising of changes to my (grandfathered) prepaid plan. It looks like they are finally phasing out the Premium SMS for Google Play Store and as a result has affected the ability to use Cashback apps such as Woo Woo Wisdom & T-Cashback. This change will occur from 3rd December 2017. From what I understand only existing subscriptions PRIOR to the effective date will still work. I've gotten word from Woo Woo Wisdom support team that they are working on a possible solution using subscriptions. Hopefully they can achieve the 3rd December deadline. Watch this space for more updates.

    Here's the text I received.
    https://i.imgur.com/JW1WzLK.png

    • Not overly hopeful but any news on a subscription from WWW?

      • +1

        I just checked now and the app has been updated with support for subscriptions! I subscribed to $30 of wisdom and says the next billing will occur after 7 day free trial. Less than 24hrs to see what happens.

  • I have about 30 or more $30 and $40 recharge vouchers and a lot of credit on my phone. Just got the first text today, which means 3 days official notice given. What the hell!

  • I usually purchase, movies, tv series, books, music, apps. I just subscribed to Google Play music subscription, but what else can I subscribe to so that I can continue using it? I just tried Google Drive but it didn't have Carrier Billing as an option.

    • Turn on PM.

  • I received the SMS, however my phone is getting fixed at moment. I am using an iPhone until it returns. is there any way I can us my credits without my phone? also what about this that Telstra advertise… https://www.telstra.com.au/latest-offers/google-play.

    • Yes, you can simply login to Google Play (from Web browser) and purchase apps.
      For in-app purchases, you will need to install Android emulator (i.e MEmu) and the app/game needs to be supported by the emulator.

      Telstra's ad about carrier billing support for Google Play is for postpay customers. You don't get any real benefit for using GooglePlay using Telstra Billing. Telstra will add the amount to your bill.

      • I tried the web browser however I can't see "Telstra" as a billing option when trying to buy a book.. I don't recall seeing that option ever via the web..

  • This is what I received today, looks like my netflix subscription will still work, but I'll need to cancel my plex sub to get it work through the android app, what else should I subscribe for or buy while I can?

    [30/11/17 15:47] Telstra: Hi. From 3 December 2017, you'll no longer be able to make purchases in Google Play using your pre-paid account. You'll still be able to purchase Google Play content using alternative payment methods, however the current arrangement where a subscription for third-party content is debited from your pre-paid balance, will end. If you attempt to set up carrier billing in Google Play from 2 December 2017, you will receive an error message. This change does not affect any existing third party mobile content subscriptions you currently have charged to your Telstra Pre-Paid account. To
    apologise for any inconvenience, we've added a 10GB data pack to your account valid for 28 days. For more info on the changes visit: Telstra.com/premiumsmschanges

    • You guys still able to use Google Play credits till now are lucky. Telstra already canned the support for long life (received SMS in Sep) - so I wasn't able to use Prepaid credits as Google Play credits for months. However, I did receive this particular SMS this arvo. Even though Telstra can be very slow to detect their own system loopholes, they seem to eventually figure them out.

      Suggestion: use the credits as soon as possible. I was a bit cynical about it last time, but Telstra did stop it for Long Life customers.

    • received the same today; according to the page:

      Does the change affect all content?
      No. If you have existing subscription services, or you add new subscriptions before 3 December, they will still appear on your Telstra bill or if you are a pre-paid customer, they will continue to be debited from your pre-paid account.

      Does it mean, I don't have to worry for my app subscriptions, such as Netflix, Google Play, Plex, Lastpass premium?

  • What are people subscribing too? I got VPN, Magazines, F1 News app? Anyone got hints for an IPTV app to watch international TV Channels?

    • Netflix, google play music, lastpass premium, plex

      What's the VPN that you subscribed to? I'd liket to add this to the list too :)

      • How do you subscribe to Netflix? Only giving my cc or PayPal options

  • Does a recharge add 30 days to my expiry each recharge? Or just once?

    Edit: looks like it just refreshes to 28 days max on recharge

  • Received the message today on Cap Encore and have seen a lot of discussion about subscriptions still being valid post December 3 but one off payments stopping.

    Personally I think that's wishful thinking and all Telstra are saying is that if you bought a one year subscription using Google Play then it'll still be valid up to the expiry date, not that you'll be able to use credit to renew subscriptions. Just cashed out my entire balance with a rebate app; not worth taking the risk imho.

    Any suggestions of where to jump to next? Need Telstra coverage but don't really care about calls / data inclusions as I'm on WiFi most of the day. 400MB on Cap Encore $30 recharge has been more than enough up to this point.

  • I also received the dreaded SMS today. I'm on Freedom Plus and have $310 credit. I intend to subscribe to Google Play Music, and Spotify if possible. Can anyone recommend a good VPN subscription?

    • I would recommend cashing out or spending your credit

      my understanding of the following is that even subscriptions will stop

      "You'll still be able to purchase Google Play content using alternative payment methods, however the current arrangement where a subscription for third-party content is debited from your pre-paid balance, will end. "

      I believe the later subscriptions are talking about mobile content (not google play subscriptions)

      I hope I'm wrong

      • How do you cash out and what do you spend the credit on?

        • There are cashback apps that people use, probably a contributing factor to them removing this service.
          This page discusses them a bit https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/227021
          Another one is woo woo wisdom?

          You can use it to buy basically any app, purchase movies through google movies… tonnes of stuff

          It may be worth contributing $30 or so on setting up subscriptions on the chance that they don't get canned
          netflix, onedrive/office365, nba are good ones i've heard of

        • I contacted Telstra and I'm now on the side of the argument that supports subscriptions being continued, provided they are started before the cutoff date

      • According to here

        Does the change affect all content?
        No. If you have existing subscription services, or you add new subscriptions before 3 December, they will still appear on your Telstra bill or if you are a pre-paid customer, they will continue to be debited from your pre-paid account.

        Which means, if you already have a running subscriptions, it should be running even after 3rd Dec, no?

        • Yes. It also means any new subscriptions activated before 3 December will also be eligible for scheduled deductions from prepaid credits after 3 December.
          But Telstra can also stop these in future.

        • I can see how that could easily be interpreted to include or exclude existing subscriptions through telstra billing

          I hope you are right but I think it is optimistic

          The phrase "the current arrangement where a subscription for third-party content is debited from your pre-paid balance, will end."
          is pretty damning

          Either way, I have my subscriptions setup and hope they continue

  • Anyone have any recommendations for a google play VPN subscription?

    • +1

      Did a Google search and Express VPN comes out as first or second on all trusted Android websites. So I think I'm gonna go with that - $99.95 yearly subscription.

  • +1

    I successfully used Google Play billing / Telstra credits to pay for Freedome VPN, about $37 a year I think. According to a CSIRO study comparing VPNs, Freedome came out quite favourably (see https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/01/major…)

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fsecure.fr…

    • Thanks, this vpn will be my additional free vpn 5GB/month from tunnelbear

  • +1

    You cant get spotify with Telstra credit hey? I tried today but it seems it takes you to paypal and credit card only

    • spotify, no

  • Everybody is saying Google Drive can use Telstra Carrier Billing but I am not getting the option. Been able to get it with most other stuff but today is my last chance to organise my subscriptions, and wanting a good cloud service that I can get hooked into.

  • +1

    30 minutes to go… any last minute subscriptions getting made?

  • darn, I missed the deadline by 20 mins :(
    Is there anything I can use my credit for now? Like, anything cool at all. i've got a bit of money saved up in my account, so…

    • Not really. Depending on exactly what plan you’re on, just the Plus Packs

      • +1

        a shame. i've been looking in to other mobile payment services (i used to purchase currency in a game using an SMS paying service) and i'll try and find something good

  • Subscriptions still working for me on Prepaid Cap Encore $30. Just signed up for Google Play / YouTube Red and Woo Woo Wisdom now offers monthly increments of wisdom via subscription after a recent update.

    • Just signed up meaning today? Besides subscriptions can you purchase anything else?

      • Yeah, both services appear in the subscriptions section of the Play Store app. Signed up today (December 3rd) at around 6:30am AEST.

        Haven't tried to go through a one off purchase but I still have the option to use carrier billing when I press the buy button in the Play Store so assume it would also work.

        • Update: Just tried a one off app purchase and got the "user suspended" error unfortunately. :(

  • Yes, i tried a small purchase today, but got the "user suspended" but they did say purchases would not be accepted from 3/12. I was originally thinking this would be the last day, but it is the first day of the new rules.
    Got most of the subscriptions I wanted in place. I was getting a little shop-happy with the apps I had been buying with mountains of credit, I suspect I will shop a little more wisely now which isn't a bad thing. Will stay with Freedom Plus to make the most of the subscriptions in place, and we will all just grow old, grey and ugly waiting around wondering when that feature will come to an end.
    I wont have to wait too long for the old, grey and ugly bit though…already started.

    • I also thought 3/12 was the last day we could use up the credits, being a Sunday. I binge shopped games the night before, and was hoping to buy some more on 3/12. Still have $175 credit left over. Time to switch to another plan with lots more data. Which carriers provide best value for $30 or $40 these days?

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