Boost Mobile International Roaming is on Hold (From 13/10/20)

zoecot on 01/09/2020 - 12:00
Last edited 02/09/2020 - 16:37 by 1 other user

I can't believe Boost is cancelling their international roaming service. I am still in oversea (my brother just had an open brain surgery last week and I am giving birth in Oct; so I got my exemption to fly out Aus in early Aug and to give birth oversea, planning to fly back next year Jan) . I need to receive SMS for many security app including banking/ centrelink/ MyGov etc. I am in a one year sim with Boost from May; Not sure if I can ask Boost for refund and ask my family to port my number to other sim like vodafone/optus then post to me.

Anyone is on the same boat?

https://boost.com.au/get-help/international-roaming-changes-…

WILL I BE ABLE TO RECEIVE CALLS AND MESSAGES WHILE I’M OVERSEAS?
From 13 October 2020, you won’t be able to receive calls and messages while you’re overseas. However, if you’re connected to a WiFi network while overseas, you can use messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype or WeChat, to send messages or make calls.

To ensure we continue to offer simple and great value products for our customers, we are making some changes behind the scenes and will soon be moving to a new platform. While we make these changes, international roaming won’t be available. This new platform will allow us to re-design our international roaming offering to bring you a better product in mid-2021.

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Comments

  • tsunamisurfer on 01/09/2020 - 12:05
    +6

    And the first sentence of their text is, we always working to give customers simple and great value products.

  • annarchon on 01/09/2020 - 12:16
    +1

    Since you will be back in Jan, probably just get a new sim and temporarily switch the 2 factor sms to that number.

    Navigating the mess that is Boost customer service will be a pain, since half the time they don't know if they are Boost or Telstra. Then since you need to get a refund they might cancel the account before letting you port out, and your number disappears into the thin air. Who knows what sort of screw up they might come up with.

    Once you get back, use up all the data, then port out May next year.

  • Drakesy on 01/09/2020 - 12:24

    Didn't even know this was a feature. Would've been a nice perk to use last time i was overseas

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 01/09/2020 - 12:41

      IIRC, it was an add-on, not an inclusion.

      • zoecot on 01/09/2020 - 13:00
        +3

        receiving free SMS is an inclusion, not add on. I didn't pay for addiditonal int'l roaming add on. Many other mobile provide offer that as well, including vodafone and optus.

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 01/09/2020 - 13:11

          Sorry for the confusion, was referring to international roaming add on.

  • pao2x on 01/09/2020 - 12:53
    +2

    wow that sucks, I will have to change away from boost when travels resume

    • dazweeja on 01/09/2020 - 15:46

      They are planning to re-launch a new international roaming product in mid-2021 so it might not be an issue.

      • pao2x on 04/09/2020 - 14:37

        Don’t need additional fees to receive text overseas if ever. I only need to receive messages like others who just buy a separate local or intl sim for overseas travel

        • dazweeja on 04/09/2020 - 14:59

          Boost haven't said that that the new platform will have additional fees compared to the old one. It's possible but all we know at this stage is that they are changing international providers and the service will not be available in the meantime. I only need the same as you.

  • kanad on 01/09/2020 - 13:38
    +2

    I was able to do 2FA with free incoming SMS when accessing online banking and mygov, very useful. Disappointed.

  • Namidairo on 01/09/2020 - 13:42

    This is interesting considering that Telstra just enabled VoWiFi use while overseas.

    I wonder if that still works. Probably not?

    • cnitsuj on 02/09/2020 - 12:08
      +2

      According to the Whirlpool wiki, I think we may be able to receive SMS over Wifi while overseas

      https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/Boost_Mobile

      Q. Is VoLTE (Voice Over 4G/LTE) / Wi-Fi Calling / RCS available?
      A. Yes – see /wiki/telstravolte

      This links to https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/telstravolte

      Can I send & receive SMS/MMS messages over Wi-Fi?
      SMS support was launched in May 2020 (marketed as 'Wi-Fi SMS')

      There is a list of supported devices.

      • aussie bargain on 02/09/2020 - 22:53
        +2

        I have just tested the features using iphone 7 in Australia by putting phone on airplane mode, but wifi is turned on.

        It can definitely send/receive calls and sms.

        The sms feature is fairly new i think.

  • currentfad on 01/09/2020 - 14:20

    It says it will be back mid-2021

  • DaTa on 01/09/2020 - 15:06

    Yeah boost was looking to be some good value to stick with for the coming years, then nope it went to shit

  • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2020 - 15:08
    +1

    Not that we can go anywhere anyway, but can Boost actually do this for existing customers, who have prepaid for a service?

    • RM on 01/09/2020 - 15:18

      Wondering the same. More importantly for people like OP - who are already overseas and essentially have "paid" for this service

    • dazweeja on 01/09/2020 - 15:47

      They are offering partial refunds if the service is no longer suitable without this option.

    • annarchon on 01/09/2020 - 15:48
      +3

      My guess is that Boost has to pay a base access fee to the international networks, and since people are not travelling and roaming, they are not making the money back. So they went, screw the existing customers, and just turn the whole thing off.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2020 - 16:49

        It's a smart move

  • Genaus on 01/09/2020 - 16:18

    Any idea how much refund is being offer ? ..ie is it the residual value of the plan ?

    • phantom on 03/09/2020 - 14:35

      Refund is only the prorata of future unused days. The terms look really stupid - they will post a cheque in up to 6 weeks and once they process it you can no longer send or receive calls/SMS/data even though it appears your number is retained in case you recharge. It's a really unclear and unhelpful process, and forcing refunds by cheque in AUD is useless for anyone currently stuck overseas.
      They seriously have not considered the experience of their customers in designing this (unless they are trying to get rid of customers)
      https://say.telstra.com.au/customer/general/forms/Pre-paid-r…

      • Genaus on 04/09/2020 - 19:57

        Prohibitive indeed… tried finding more details but CS is pretty unhelpful.

  • MELso on 01/09/2020 - 17:46

    Probably due to Telstra moving over to Salesforce as their IT platform. They're gradually adding new bits into plans as they build out functionality…

  • arsey on 01/09/2020 - 19:28

    What are the best alternatives to the 12m $150 plan?

  • Bankster on 01/09/2020 - 22:47

    This's unfair. Screwed existing customers.

  • leiiv on 02/09/2020 - 07:04

    This will also have a slight effect of removing the current $150 customers, which they want to get rid of.

  • reactor-au on 02/09/2020 - 07:34

    This is a problem for me as I'm stuck outside of Australia due to the international arrive caps. It's something I think they should give 3+ months notice since it's not possible to port while outside of Australia and coming back is also a problem.

    • Love a bargain on 02/09/2020 - 13:42

      you can port while you're outside of Australia - while you can still receive SMS on your existing sim - as long as there is someone in Australia who can post an alternative sim card out to you

  • reactor-au on 02/09/2020 - 07:42

    Does anyone know if an international number can be set as your contact on myGov? Or the banks?

    • penting on 02/09/2020 - 08:12

      You could ask for token from the bank. CBA sent me one when i said to them i need one due to moving temporarily overseas (18 months stint) for work. Makes my keychain bulkier but beats changing sim card due hassle for any 2fa.

    • Love a bargain on 02/09/2020 - 13:45

      Need to check with each organisation or agency's own policy. For most people who are only away for a few months (rather than a few years), it's easier to keep their Australia numbers than to update their phone numbers with all of those organisations and then to do it all again in when they return in a few months' time.

  • OzHunterNSW on 02/09/2020 - 09:58
    -4

    Are you an experienced traveler?
    You buy a sim in the country you are in.
    All your banking etc can would be conducted via the wifi of your phone/computer.

    What are you talking about Boost for…. get a sim

    • annarchon on 02/09/2020 - 10:12
      +3

      I need to receive SMS for many security app including banking/ centrelink/ MyGov etc

  • auscan on 21/09/2020 - 13:28

    You may want to check out these links on Whirlpool related to Telstra Wi-Fi calling/Wi-fi SMS while overseas, it may apply to Boost as well:

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/3q6lwqz9-8#r67585773

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9l24ml89?p=88

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9lyw6l43

    https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/telstravolte#telstravowifi

  • hashtagbargain on 15/11/2021 - 04:16

    We are at the end of 2021 and still no sign of international roaming returning to boost. Disappointed!

    Edit:

    International roaming is not currently available on your Boost Mobile service. However, we are planning to launch a new version of international roaming in early 2022. If you need to keep in contact while overseas, we suggest connecting to WiFi or purchasing a local sim.

    Now says early 2022

    • reactor-au on 15/11/2021 - 09:08

      I don't trust the Gov not to lock me out again so I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, but poor show by boost. Is Telstra doing roaming again?

  • enigma48 on 28/05/2022 - 12:02

    Now mid 2022:

    However, we are planning to launch a new version of international roaming in mid 2022.

  • esandjay on 20/06/2022 - 13:55
    +1

    Now late 2022/early 2023 T_T
    https://boost.com.au/blogs/help-topics/using-your-phone-over…

    • reactor-au on 21/06/2022 - 09:58

      They must be saving a packet of $$$ not having reciprocal roaming agreements

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