Telstra No Longer Supporting "Carrier Billing" for Grandfather Telstra Prepaid (Dec 3 2017)

Vangelon on 11/11/2017 - 07:13
Last edited 11/11/2017 - 21:21

So it seems Telstra are phasing out carrier billing.

From the page:
"From 3 December 2017 you will not be able to subscribe to new digital content, apps or services from other companies through Premium SMS or Telstra Carrier Billing. This is because we're phasing out Premium Service subscriptions."

So it seems Telstra are phasing out carrier billing for Google Play, etc for prepaid customers.

——— CLARIFICATION!!! ———

I need to fix this after talking to a few people.

"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."

IT WILL ALSO NOT AFFECT ONCE OFF PURCHASES; FOR EXAMPLE - IN-GAME OR APPS THAT COST MONEY.

It will only affect NEW subscriptions AFTER December 3rd! So if you're not signed up to Netflix or the like yet, and are thinking about it, DO IT BEFORE DECEMBER 3rd!!

Sorry for the misleading information.

In saying that, bummer, because I was attempting to offload some vouchers I had to people who wanted Google Play credit and were on old grandfather plans that could use them, i.e. Freedom Plus, Encore, etc.

If anyone is willing to give me a hand, PM me, but just for general knowledge, I linked the FAQ / Crowd Support link above. RIP :(

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Comments

  • tonyamazing on 30/11/2017 - 17:07

    Does anyone know if I'll be able to change my existing Netflix plan at a later date? I currently do not have a 4K TV, but when I do I'd like to upgrade my plan from HD 2 screens to UHD 4 screens.

    • chanleystan on 30/11/2017 - 17:25

      You got me curious. Last time I tried it said error and contact them.

      I tried just now and it also said error. But moments later I got an email saying my netflix has been updated to $17.99. (telstra credit was deducted another 6 bucks)
      Not sure why it worked this time. Not sure if it worked because today was the day my netflix renewed

      • chanleystan on 01/12/2017 - 00:03

        Edit. I just noticed it didn't take 6 bucks. It charged it as a new one. But meh. I was gonna have to do it like that anyway since only a few days till the 3rd.

      • alishaikh on 01/12/2017 - 10:41
        +2

        you normaly just hv to submit an upgrade membeship request on netflix accounts. they charge with next billing cycle the higher amount. But you should be able to see 4K content immediately when u upgrade.

        • chanleystan on 02/12/2017 - 14:10

          Was thinking about that. But wasn't sure if there was going to be any issues with telstra if they changed it after the 3rd. Didn't want to take the chance.

    • frazel on 30/11/2017 - 23:39
      -1

      You can't change plans when posting with Telstra billing. You have to stop it and restart it again with the new. This will break on 3rd December so change it now.

      • chanleystan on 01/12/2017 - 00:02

        Posting? As in post paid?

        • frazel on 01/12/2017 - 08:02

          Paying*** sorry autocorrect

      • tonyamazing on 01/12/2017 - 09:23

        I've cancelled my subscription and now I can't start a new one.

        • frazel on 01/12/2017 - 18:28
          -1

          Probably just not doing it right

        • tonyamazing on 02/12/2017 - 10:11

          @frazel: Have you actually achieved this yourself? My subscription is still valid until my next billing date, which is passed the 3rd of December. I'm unable to renew until that subscription fully ends.

        • frazel on 02/12/2017 - 13:06

          @tonyamazing:
          Yes I did mine a couple of months back. I cancelled my subscription. Then signed back up again with a different subscription.

          Who knows what Telstra has done now since the text message.

      • tryagain on 02/12/2017 - 12:28

        You can't change plans when posting with Telstra billing

        I just did this without any issues.

      • chanleystan on 02/12/2017 - 14:04

        But I did. I am using telstra billing, just as I said above.
        I was originally on $11.99 plan and it renewed on the 29th. On the 30th I clicked the 17.99 plan and it said error. But $17.99 was deducted from my account and I am now on the $17.99 plan.

        Pic of money being deducted from my pre paid.
        http://i63.tinypic.com/2wn0m09.jpg
        Pic of my new plan.
        http://i63.tinypic.com/2qcmddg.jpg

        Not sure when it happened but the 2nd plan went up in price. It use to be $11.99

  • ESEMCE on 30/11/2017 - 18:01

    I can't see how even existing Google Play Billing subscriptions will continue.
    It looks to me like Google Play Billing is gone entirely.
    Any third party subscriptions will continue, whatever they might be

    • ESEMCE on 30/11/2017 - 21:03

      Looks like the third party subscriptions are those listed in the table at the bottom of the (now working) linked page.

      https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Accounts-Plans/Premiu…

      I'm now even more confident that ALL Google Play Billing is dead for prepaid, no matter your existing subscriptions.

      • caspochek on 30/11/2017 - 21:39

        From reading this part of the link you provided

        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.

        Sounds like existing subscriptions will continue.

        • ESEMCE on 30/11/2017 - 21:40

          But that page also specifies that Google Play Billing is only valid for Post-Paid.

          From the List of things that can still be billed, I think the second to last point is what they're referring to in regards to existing subscriptions.

          Other Telstra subscription content

        • caspochek on 30/11/2017 - 21:42

          @scubacoles:

          Hmmmm, I suppose it’s a case of wait and see if they renew. My play music subscription is up for renewal on 5th December, if it gets knocked back I’ll definitely jump ship.

        • ESEMCE on 30/11/2017 - 21:44

          @caspochek:
          Yeah mine renews 22 December.
          I'll only have $30 odd in credit to "lose".

        • caspochek on 30/11/2017 - 21:46

          @scubacoles:

          I have $50 odd, but it’s the $40 of subscriptions that I use every month I’ve become so used to, it’ll be hard to let go lol

          I’ll let you know the outcome on the 5th.

  • jelreyn on 30/11/2017 - 18:51

    I just received the TXT a few hours ago too. I notice however, that the link they provide comes up with an error. Typical Telstra…sigh
    So are we SURE that existing subscriptions will survive? Hmmm…

  • Zorololo on 30/11/2017 - 18:52
    +5

    Pretty poor of Telstra to let alot of us know this would happen 4 days before it happens. Come January I'm off Telstra for good.

    • alwaysupforabargain on 30/11/2017 - 20:08
      +2

      Yeah I'm with you. I've only ever been on one of these grandfathered plans because of the Google play credit. Now that this is ending, I'd rather get a new prepaid plan which has decent inclusions - might even consider one of the cheap resellers.

  • AssociatedMike_Mav @ Telstra on 30/11/2017 - 20:01

    I got this too, with the 28 day billing cycle and measly data allowance, I can't see me remaining on the network.

    What other carriers does everyone recommend?

    • Zorololo on 30/11/2017 - 20:27
      +1

      The plan used to be better when they had night and day data but they dropped the night data a year or two ago so halved the data you get and then tried to push you to the "better" plan with basically the same data but you'd loose the google play carrier billing option. I really hate Telstra now days, the google play carrier billing was the only thing keeping me with them.

  • marquise on 30/11/2017 - 20:27
    +5

    Worst day of my life.

  • wippy on 30/11/2017 - 22:12

    I understand that new subscribion after 3/12 won't work.. But what about changing the plan within an existing subscription.. Eg changing from the 100gb to 1tb plan in Google drive after 3/12

    • ESEMCE on 30/11/2017 - 22:18
      +1

      Don't believe you can change..
      You have to cancel, let it lapse and then re-subscribe at the higher level. (obviously this is probably not an option in this case)

      • wippy on 30/11/2017 - 23:53

        google drive let you upgrade/change the plan within the app…. so would that still be counted as an existing subscription?

  • AssociatedMike_Mav @ Telstra on 30/11/2017 - 22:18

    Anyone know how to sign-up to billing for Netflix?

    • ESEMCE on 30/11/2017 - 22:24
      +2 
      Change to Mobile Data
Log out of Netflix
Clear Data and Force Stop in Netflix App
Open Netflix on Android Phone
Sign up with new email ...
Sign out
Sign back in ... wait ... Telstra billing option appears
First month *free*
turn WiFi back on
      • S242 on 01/12/2017 - 01:28

        not working for me :( any clarification would be appreciated.

      • cheapbloke on 01/12/2017 - 02:07

        doesn't work for me.

      • ESEMCE on 01/12/2017 - 07:48

        You've just got to keep trying.
        Try on different devices too.
        Sometimes it works on the first try, no sign out required.

        • AssociatedMike_Mav @ Telstra on 01/12/2017 - 09:35

          I'm pretty sure it's no longer possible

          Google Play billing is available in the following 67 countries:

          Europe: Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland

          Middle East & Africa: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

          Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

        • ESEMCE on 01/12/2017 - 09:38

          @Mike_Mav:

          People are reporting they can get it working still.. It's always taken a lot of luck/effort to make it happen though.

    • MaxiPower on 01/12/2017 - 08:55
      +3

      I got it to work via a VPN being connected via Singapore.

      • AssociatedMike_Mav @ Telstra on 01/12/2017 - 09:58
        +2

        Got it to work via VPN via Singapore

        • wippy on 01/12/2017 - 11:19

          the problem now appears that even though you may be able to get it to use Google Play, but you actually can't select Telstra credit as the payment method as it is saying it's "not eligible" even before Dec 3…..

  • iamnotafish on 01/12/2017 - 09:41

    Got the SMS yesterday afternoon. Seems like they've turned this off already, as I purchased an app with my credits a few days ago, but it doesn't work now. It says "not eligible" :(

    • iamnotafish on 01/12/2017 - 11:02

      Just finished a chat with 24/7 Live Chat. She claimed that "Google Plus" turned off carrier billing for all carriers in October 2017. I'm pretty sure this is incorrect as I successfully purchased multiple apps in November. I also successfully created a subscription using the Telstra credits a few hours after receiving the SMS yesterday, which I subsequently cancelled (I had to subscribe to get the trial period and it didn't work as well as another app). Since then, all apps I try to purchase using Telstra credits have said "not eligible".

      Has anyone else tried using their Telstra credits to purchase in Google Play since they received the SMS?

      • leTintin on 01/12/2017 - 11:25

        I purchased an app on Google Play just then using Telstra credit and it worked.

      • Zorololo on 01/12/2017 - 12:58

        I purchased a few movies and tv shows yesterday billing to my tesltra prepaid credit.

        • Zorololo on 01/12/2017 - 14:04

          Actually, just tried again and it says I can't use Telstra. Guess they turned it off early. Telstra can get stuffed.

    • wippy on 01/12/2017 - 11:17

      bummer I think you are right…. I just checked for all my existing subscriptions on Telstra credits, even though they still have the tick on using Telstra credits, it also have a red "not eligible" in the Telstra credit option…. so the sms is actually misleading in saying that any subscription before Dec 3 is ok as we actually can't select using the Telstra credit as an option anymore already….. is this something we should demand Telstra to rectify as their sms contain false information?

      • Zorololo on 01/12/2017 - 13:13

        Check your payment methods in the google play store under account settings. Mine had ineligible in red too but I also had another "telstra" show under the add payment method and was able to add that.

        • wippy on 01/12/2017 - 13:24

          unfortunately that doesn't show up for me… does that mean you can see "Telstra" twice when you manage your Netflix subscription payment method?

        • Zorololo on 01/12/2017 - 13:57

          @wippy:
          Oh your right, when you go manage subscriptions it says ineligible. Guessing it's because you get the free trial so don't get charged for the first month.

        • iamnotafish on 01/12/2017 - 15:00
          +1

          @wippy: I just re-added Telstra Billing as a new payment method, and this time I get a different error, saying: "Purchase exceeds your transaction limit. Contact your service provider".

          So I've contact Telstra 24/7 Live Chat again and asked them to increase the spend limit. Apparently it will take up to 4 hours. We'll see what happens then.

        • wippy on 01/12/2017 - 15:09

          @iamnotafish: good luck…. looking forward to a positive result…

        • iamnotafish on 02/12/2017 - 09:35
          +1

          @wippy: Well it now appears to work for the US$59.95/6 month subscription option, but not the US$99.95/year subscription. So back to 24/7 Live Chat. At worst case, I'll take the US$59.95/6 month subscription option just to use the credits!

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 09:42

          @iamnotafish: so you are subscribing to us Netflix (ie not Australia?) I can't see the options for paying for 6 months or annually… Where's that hiding?

        • iamnotafish on 02/12/2017 - 12:53

          @wippy: Nah, I'm trying to sign up for ExpressVPN. It's a little pricey, but I have nothing else to do with my Telstra credits anyway. It's also the only one that seems to work on my phone. I tried NordVPN, but it's basically unusable on my phone with the non-existent upload rate. Same with PIA.

          It turns out that the Telstra Pre-Paid T&Cs, they have a AU$100 per transaction limit, and this ends up being about AU$130 with the current exchange rate. So I'm trying to sign up to the ExpressVPN 6 month subscription, but experiencing other issues with that. Not sure if it's Telstra carrier billing related or ExpressVPN related.

        • payton on 02/12/2017 - 21:44

          @iamnotafish:
          hey, not just you. Ordered a 6month sub thru the app, got an $80 receipt from Google Play but the app just shows a spinning circle. Contacted Support and they said they will fix on their end and enable my acct.

        • iamnotafish on 03/12/2017 - 14:18

          @payton: Yep. They fixed it, but it's a once off payment, not a subscription :(

  • leTintin on 01/12/2017 - 10:37

    Does anyone know how to subscribe to a Google Drive plan via carrier billing, the Telstra option doesn't appear for me. It does appear for Play Music and Youtube Red etc but not Drive .

    • uppitt on 01/12/2017 - 14:35

      I just did this, it worked for me.

  • ggnarsil on 01/12/2017 - 13:48
    +1

    RIP. Its the time for a better prepaid option. Any suggestion guys?

  • miicah on 01/12/2017 - 16:06

    Everyone saying they are going to switch, why? You can still use the money for subs (assuming you get them set up today). Are there even any other carriers with Telstras coverage?

    • Zorololo on 01/12/2017 - 18:09

      I suspect that any subscriptions that were set up in the last few days, so would billed at the end of December, won't work as they weren't initially charged before Dec 3rd.

      Subscriptions were actually very small value to me, I mostly used the money in the google movies/tv store.

      Even now, my subscriptions only come to $20ish but I usually put in $30 a month and now i can't buy anything with the left over money as they don't even allow plus packs on my deal

      • spritz on 02/12/2017 - 06:20

        Boost, Aldi Mobile, Belong and Boost use Telstra 3g and 4g and offer better value. So just deciding between them.
        Might even give an Optus reseller a try now that there's no risk of losing an offer they've just got rid of. If it's too rubbish I can either try Vodafone next month or back to a Telstra reseller.

    • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 09:47

      I'm planning to stay on… I have google play music, google drive and Microsoft 365 on subscription… So if they are still ok ongoing, that's enough reason for me to stay on the plan… Apart from that I have 3 other telstra numbers (family) that I share credit with so that those plan are virtually free so there's definitely no reason for me to leave yet until they close off all those great bonuses….

  • spritz on 02/12/2017 - 06:24

    Has anybody figured out a workaround to squeeze at least some value out of the extras credit after Dec 3 by using non-subscription premium SMS billing with the extra credit?

    • S242 on 02/12/2017 - 15:18

      Subscriptions may not get cancelled.

      Google play music
      Netflix
      Office 365/ One drive 1TB
      Freedome VPN

      etc.

  • belongsinforums on 02/12/2017 - 07:38

    I was just able to buy a book using Telstra credit.

    • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 09:43

      On what app or site?

      • belongsinforums on 02/12/2017 - 10:27

        Play store. My point is that it's still working atm, despite reports above

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 10:29

          fair enough…. thanks….

        • belongsinforums on 02/12/2017 - 10:30

          @wippy: we'll see what happens tomorrow

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 10:31

          @tomkun01: I'm still having no luck with trying to add a new Netflix subscription to Telstra pay…. let's hope we can still purchase things using Telstra pay from tomorrow….

        • belongsinforums on 02/12/2017 - 11:59

          @wippy: i signed up to youtube family membership

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 12:01

          @tomkun01: using Telstra pay via subscriptions? could you see whether you could use it with Netflix? you get a free month membership if new user and you can just cancel it if you don't want it… just wondering if anyone could actually still sign up to Netflix…..

        • uggugg on 02/12/2017 - 12:40
          +2

          @wippy: check the whirlpool thread. You need a VPN

        • belongsinforums on 02/12/2017 - 12:54
          +1

          @wippy: no option for netflix normally

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 13:14

          @uggugg: I've managed to get Netflix to use Google Pay but can't the payment option to Telstra Pay within the payment method….

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 13:15

          @tomkun01: thanks for checking… Netflix makes it a bit tricky to get it working with Google Pay….

        • belongsinforums on 02/12/2017 - 14:48

          @wippy: you can buy netflix from taobao very cheap. Just buy one month. As long as they don't change the login, you can continue using after that month

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 16:05

          @tomkun01: thanks… think I have to look into that……

  • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 11:17

    according to Telstra support

    "google barred all telstra servicess not only for telstra it barred the servicess of all provider."

    according to other people on this thread accessing Telstra pay was working a few days ago but just stopped on the day of the SMS even though the sms suggests that it should still work for new subscriptions up to 3/12…. guess there's nothing much that can be done. :(

    • snvl on 02/12/2017 - 12:41
      +1

      according to Telstra support: “google barred all telstra servicess not only for telstra it barred the servicess of all provider."

      False, postpaid will continue to work

      • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 13:18

        I know… the content of the SMS is wrong and misleading at best and their Helpdesk are not provided with the right information either…. but then again I don't know why I expected anything more….. guess I should just have my fingers crossed that my existing subscription will still work going forward (would love to add a few more subscriptions but not going to push my luck)…..

  • alwaysupforabargain on 02/12/2017 - 13:28

    Has anyone else received bonus data? I just looked at my usage online and it shows I have 9.99GB bonus data to use till 30th December (which coincidentally is one month from the day of the text). I recharged my credit on 25th November and didn't purchase any data plus packs.

    • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 13:37
      +1

      yep… that's part of their way to keep us happy from removing Telstra pay from subscriptions……

      • uggugg on 02/12/2017 - 13:54
        +2

        Not all of us! Annoyed I didn’t get the 10GB “bribe”

        • alwaysupforabargain on 02/12/2017 - 14:07

          Maybe it depends on what plan you're on. I'm on the old Prepaid Encore.

        • nismo on 03/12/2017 - 09:58

          @alwaysupforabargain:
          I'm on Prepaid Cap Encore, didn't get 10 GB and my sms from them the other day didn't mention 10gb either…

          I successfully signed up to GP music and spent all my Telstra credits last night…

          Problem is, I still have a years worth of recharge vouchers, from the 20% off Coles deal

        • alwaysupforabargain on 03/12/2017 - 11:45

          @nismo: That's weird. I reckon you could get onto live chat and explain the situation to them. Maybe you could get the 10GB added.

          I hadn't read the full text so didn't realize about the 10GB. Doubt it's gonna be much use to me anyway. And I thought today would be the last day so didn't spend my credit on anything but I did sign up to Google Play Music (free for first month so it will only get charged next month) and my Netflix subscription should come out of the credit this month.

      • alwaysupforabargain on 02/12/2017 - 14:07
        +1

        Yeah it seems that way! Still sucks though! I've gotten used to barely using any data…giving me 10GB out of nowhere doesn't help :(

  • MaKa on 02/12/2017 - 14:50

    So finally got all my subscriptions in order.

    I was previously subscribed to Netflix and Play Music, I've now added PIA VPN and Office 365.

    It works out something like this

    Netflix $14.99
    Google Play $11.99
    VPN PIA $9.20
    Microsoft Office 365 $12
    Total = $48.18

    Scheduled recharge $50

    So only $1.82/month bit utilised. As discussed above keys see how long these existing subscriptions will last until they are removed also

    • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 16:05

      did you add all those subscription after the SMS? I can't seem to add anything onto Telstra pay after the sms message….

      • MaKa on 02/12/2017 - 16:07
        +1

        The Netflix and Play Music were existing I have been subscribed to them as long as I have had the pre-paid plan. Today I added the VPN and Office 365 subscription

        • wippy on 02/12/2017 - 16:42

          interesting that you can still apply your Telstra credits to subscription…. I've tried adding new subscriptions and everytime I try to switch from another payment type to Telstra pay, the Telstra pay option always have "not eligible" written on it… even for existing subscriptions, even though it is selected with the tick on Telstra pay, it still have the words "not eligible" under it….

  • Nuttyone on 02/12/2017 - 17:23

    I have added quite a few subscription today. The only ones that didn't work for me was Google Drive, Office 365. I still have about 12 months remaining on my Office 365 but I was going to change it to auto renew with carrier billing, but option didn't show up.
    Not too bad though, got my VPN, Google Music, some magazine subs, security apps, sports pass, guitar music app subs etc etc
    Not a cent of my recharge will go to waste and all the recharge vouchers I have wont go to waste. Will just stay on the same old Freedom Plus until they kill of the subscriptions being able to use the credit. Can sleep tonight knowing Telstra haven't completely tried ruined my world…lol

  • marquise on 02/12/2017 - 17:54

    I've had the following subs set up for a while:
    - OneDrive/Office365
    - Netflix
    - Play Music Family
    - Dropbox

    If they don't continue to carrier bill I may have to claim financial hardship. I simply cannot afford to pay outright for all my mistresses' entertainment/Office subscriptions. It will eventually destroy my 'family'.

    Oh shoot - I forgot about the Tinder subscription….

  • fozzie on 02/12/2017 - 18:02

    I just upgraded to the highest Netflix plan, let’s see if it works when renews. Got family play music too . I will also add more credit and buy 12 months Magzter for $49.99. I still have 3 recharges of $30, let’s hope they can be used for those services. If not I will move straight after to Kogan or Lebara.

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