Best Long Term Roaming Plan?

jlim87 on 01/11/2021 - 20:31

Hi,

I'm currently on an Optus postpaid line with no contract lock in. I'm going to be traveling overseas to Singapore and the US for work for at least 3 months, and it's likely to be extended as well and potentially could be long term 1-3 yrs. I still want to retain my number as I've been using it for ages, and do not want to cancel it. I'll obviously be getting a prepaid/postpaid sim in the new countries im in, so I'm wondering if anyone knows which service provider is the best for my situation.

I use apps like Whatsapp and such, so it's not like I need daily roaming phone calls, and all the current plans on Optus seem quite expensive. It's really just to receive the irregular calls from old friends, or perhaps services that I still keep, have access to my voice mail and SMS OTP codes etc.

Anyone have insights on which telco has something suitable?

Mobile

Comments

  • elgrande on 01/11/2021 - 20:33
    -3

    Best Long Term Roaming Plan

    Stay close to a water source, i.e. a river or similiar

  • justdigi on 01/11/2021 - 20:36

    Truphone is available in all those countries, port your number there and get a new number in each of Singapore and USA and have all 3 numbers on the 1 sim. Not the cheapest method, but might suit your needs if your work pays.

  • bdl on 01/11/2021 - 20:40

    You could always port it to Crazytel and then it's $4.20/year to keep active https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9n1j1mkq - you'd miss out on SMS OTP but at least you would be able to keep it current for inbound calls and voicemail without too much hassle. The last thing you want is to hook it into a "long term" roaming Australian SIM and then have the provider change the rules/plan or similar when you're overseas for 1-3 years and then you have to muck around trying to do a SIM swap/hope there's still a suitable roaming plan in Australia.

    I think Crazytel offer inbound SMS for around $8/mth but you'd have to check - probably not worth it if it's just for a few SMS OTP codes. May be worth your while to switch to app-based 2FA where possible.

  • parisian on 01/11/2021 - 20:41
    +1

    Optus Flex ? 1$ every 6 months to keep the number alive but 'restricted' yet you can receive sms.
    You can just top up the account when you need to send an sms or call someone.

    Or Telstra wifi calls and sms that works overseas and free. You only need an internet connection (dual sim or wifi) and it works like a charm.
    So, a Boost or Telstra prepaid recharge works.

    Need a newer device to work.

    • emperor on 12/11/2021 - 02:41

      @thibaultn Aldi $5 payg can receive sms for free while overseas. Is it free for Optus flex too? For Telstra prepaid, what is the cheapest one for 365 days expiry and free sms overseas?

  • ryban3z on 01/11/2021 - 23:21

    Pay As You Go with Amaysim is what I use - just kept the SIM with $10 on it.

    • jlim87 on 02/11/2021 - 01:10

      will look into this! thanks!

  • jace88 on 01/11/2021 - 23:28

    1. Port your number to any prepaid plan which offers either 180 day or 365 day plans. When I moved to Singapore in 2014 I used Telstra but not sure who still offers 1 year validity for sim cards and supports international roaming. This is fine as it's just for inbound SMS.

    2. For your time in Singapore as a foreigner, get the Starhub prepaid sim when you land in Changi Airport (it's not available everywhere) as it's relatively cheap and also great for travel overseas too. You'll need your passport to get it but from memory it's easy to sign up at the moneychangers inside the terminal, or in the Arrivals hall (near the taxi stands): https://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/mobile-phones-plans/…

    I still use mine as it's relatively cheap to maintain, easy to top up online, and offers great international roaming for data in various countries. Only twp downsides are that like all Singapore sim cards, all data is routed via Singapore even when travelling overseas, and there's no esim option yet.

    Also keep in mind that a lot of things you take for granted as free in Australia eg incoming calls, caller ID, etc… not all of them are free in other countries.

    ps. Depending on your employer, you may also get special deals/sim card promotions with certain providers. I was on EP with a relatively large MNC and they had super heavily discounted plans too for employees relative to anything commercially available.

    • jlim87 on 02/11/2021 - 01:10

      this is really helpful, thank you!

      • jace88 on 04/11/2021 - 20:57

        No worries. Don't underestimate my point about things you take for granted as free. For example, in Singapore, on some prepaid sims, the moment you have an incoming call (even if you don't answer), you may trigger paying for incoming calls. The moment a little bit of data is used, it activates the plan, etc…

        Despite all that though, I still find my Singapore prepaid sim card the best as the international data roaming in so many countries and it's easy to top up with long expiry periods (although you still need to jump through a few hoops of adding balance and then buying a 'pack' for the best value).

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