• long running

International Roaming Packs for 40 Countries - 5GB/3GB/1GB-14/7/3 Days-60/30/15 Mins-60/30/15 Texts- $40/ $30/ $20 @ Boost

1093
This post contains affiliate links. OzBargain might earn commissions when you click through and make purchases. Please see this page for more information.

Boost have quietly made available international roaming to their customers. Pack becomes immediately active upon purchase, so time the purchase of these packs accordingly.

Can be activated from App when overseas, app can be used to track usage overseas.

5GB, 14 DAY EXPIRY , 60 MINUTES CALLS & 60 TEXTS @ $40
3GB, 7 DAY EXPIRY , 30 MINUTES CALLS & 30 TEXTS @ $30
1GB, 3 DAY EXPIRY , 15 MINUTES CALLS & 15 TEXTS @ $20

Included destinations:
Canada I China I Croatia I Czech Republic I Fiji I France I Germany I Greece I Hong Kong I Hungary I India I Indonesia I Ireland I Israel I Italy I Japan I Malaysia I Netherlands I New Zealand I Norway I Philippines I Poland I Qatar I Samoa I Serbia I Singapore I Soloman Islands I South Korea I Spain I Sri Lanka I Sweden I Taiwan I Thailand I Tonga I Turkey I UK I USA I Vanuatu I Vietnam.

Related Stores

Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

Comments

  • +2

    can we still use wifi calling without recharging with these?

    • I can't see any incentives for them to do this

    • +9

      I can confirm i used wifi calling overseas three days ago

      • +1

        Did it just work on flight mode?

        • +1

          Can confirm it does.

        • So you put it on flight mode with wifi only on?

    • +2

      As long as your phone is on Flight mode.
      When your phone detect the local network then Vowifi disables straight away.

    • +1

      When using wifi calling (atleast when I used it overseas and I did not buy the roaming pack) you can only make calls to Australian numbers and not non-Australian numbers.

      • You mean, even if your boost plan includes calls to non Australian numbers, it won't work?

      • And wifi calling doesn't work on my pixel, pixel 6 pro or pixel 8 pro. Same sim card works on iPhone though

  • +2

    Just in time, I got a sim from TPG and was about to port out of Boost, just cause I am travelling overseas and Boost didnt have roaming.

    I am chatting with them now to see if I could receive text messages overseas without opting for these packs

    +1 for the timely post ❤️

    • +3

      I am chatting with them now to see if I could receive text messages overseas without opting for these packs

      I asked the same question. They said no. Which I kind of don't believe… I'll be able to try it on the weekend

      • +6

        It worked when I was overseas without doing anything.

        • +1

          Thanks! This is what I expected

        • Ohh, so international roaming on Boost has been active for a while? When did you travel?

          • +3

            @Skyisblue: Oct to Nov.
            Didn't expect that and bought local sim, but actually received text from Au due to dual sim.

            • @JoshJ: Wow.. Nice.. Thanks for the confirmation.. Saved me from going on TPG… 😁

              • @Skyisblue: I was in Thailand 25 Oct to 10 Nov and Boost roaming packs weren't available before I left Oz so I used a local sim there. However, I can confirm I received texts (hard to get away from Boozebud!) and a number of missed calls from Australia on a spare phone that had my Boost sim in it … it was locked away in the room safe most of the time and didn't hear it ring. I had roaming off but did have VoLTE and Wifi calling turned on in the phone settings.

          • +2

            @Skyisblue: Not international roaming because you actively have to buy these packs, without them is for receiving over wifi only. It's called WiFi SMS/WiFi Calling from Overseas which have been enabled for a year and two years respectively.

            • @Techie4066: Thanks for that. Just to get head around this -

              Vowifi- we could receive sms and calls if connected to the wifi overseas (?)
              Roaming- Ability to call/sms and browse on mobile operator network, which is now enabled on Boost?

              • +1

                @Skyisblue: Look, I wouldn't bank on it, but in theory calls/texts over wifi are supposed to function just as it would for a full-price Telstra customer :)
                All reports are that it's working. The roaming packs are the only paid add-on which will get you data and connectivity away from wifi.

                • @Techie4066: Jeez, I cant take chances.. Need SMS to receive bank OTP.
                  I guess i will port out to TPG for couple of months and get back to Boost on my return.. Will lose 6 months of subscription.. Lol..

                  Still waiting for Boost Customer rep to answer my query 😊

                  Cheers mate

                  • @Skyisblue: Keep in mind these new roaming packs function differently. They'll be just as reliable as TPG roaming.

                    • @Techie4066: Thanks again.
                      My partner is already overseas. I ported her to TPG before she left. She is able to receive SMS (for free) and calls (chargeable) without any roaming pack.

                      So TPG roaming network has been tested ( so to speak) 😊

                • +2

                  @Techie4066: Worked for me in July from Europe

                  • @calus: Was it over Vowifi or on mobile network?

            • @Techie4066: I don't believe that is correct. I was receiving SMS in South Africa on my Boost SIM while not connected to wifi. There's more roaming working than is currently advertised.

        • +1

          Travelled to the US a month or two ago on Boost, seemed that they quietly allowed receiving and sending (!) texts while roaming over the mobile network (not SMS over WiFi, no luck with calls or data). This might've been a concession while they didn't have paid roaming, so this might not be the case anymore.

        • Can confirm this as well

      • Thanks mate.. Yeah, even I thought so it would automatically hooked onto the partner network.. Please let me know if you get the network when overseas. I am flying next week. ✌️

      • +1

        Confirming that Boost roaming is enabled by default and does not require the purchase of an international roaming pack

        To be clear, this just means I am able to connect to a local network on roaming and receive SMS (my main objective). It does not mean I have "free roaming"

        • Thanks for following this up. That's all I'm after when travelling - local SIM for all the rest

  • +5

    And they're not amazing value unfortunately :/
    Yes, I know I know, Vodafone whatever… But on Felix you can pause your plan for 242 days and get as many 4GB/100 min/100 text packs for $20 as you want. Other than that as a backup, go for local SIMs.

    • +2

      Felix International Roaming is surely the best value but it was barely usable when I had to use it in Indonesia. I'm not sure what it's like in other countries but I had to switch out of Felix due to that.

      • The network (out of 3 available) they use in Indonesia is the worst, yes. That's why it's best as a backup, or just as good as the other networks in NZ for example. Local SIMs are the best option, complemented by Felix for your Aussie service.

        • I ended up switching to Optus prepaid and it is still a good value (as mentioned by pandadude below) as I was able to get the Telkomsel in Indonesia which is equivalent to Telstra. I had stable 4G throughout albeit less than 10Mbps speed and this was also in an island few hours off the coast of Jakarta.

      • +2

        worked perfectly in Singapore, HK and China Mainland!

        • good to know!

      • +1

        Worked amazingly in Canada. Surprisingly I could manually change network to another provider and still got service

    • +4

      If its data only the Optus Prepaid $20 Data Roaming gives u 10gb for 14 days.

      In the end most of the provider understand people will pay more for convenient instead of just getting a local sim.

      Saying that the Boost Prepaid deal is better then most postpaid deals. Its really a matter if Boost users can be bother using wifi or hot spot off a local sim v just paying the package.

      • 14 days, restricted to prepaid, excludes calls and texts, and you keep paying for your normal plan. Felix packs last 365 days and you don't have to keep paying for your plan believe it or not. It is the best value option.

        • +2

          don't forget if you're new to Felix, you can just port over just a day before your trip and activate immediately (since its esim) and use the FELIX promo to get 1 month free and just pay for the international roaming then go back to whatever provider you want once you return to Australia.

          I'm sure I'm not the only simsluts here…

          • @meong: How Felix check customers based on ID or phone number or address for the free month?

            I mean with most people getting new ID might be a good opportunity.

            It does leave question about Boost and Wifi Calling. This was a popular method for people who used Boost International.

            • @pandadude: Who's really going to have wifi all the time? It's the exact same sign-up procedure as all other providers.

            • @pandadude: i've claimed the promo twice during the FLX and FLX10 promo so maybe its based on the promo code instead of how long you've been a non-customer of Felix…

        • So are you saying you don't need to pay the 35 monthly connection while using the international package?

          Thats 35 + 25.

          The only reason you would pay international roaming is to use your current number. If its a secondary sim you would grab a local sim.

          • -1

            @pandadude: No, it was $20 for me all up. Code FELIX gets you onto their plans free of charge.

            The only reason you would pay international roaming is to use your current number. If its a secondary sim you would grab a local sim.

            I made that clear.

            • @Techie4066: So let me get this right. You don't need to pay the monthly connection at all for the entire year and still get global roaming for the 365?

              But you need to sign up with the free code.

              • -1

                @pandadude: Not that hard to enter 5 characters in the grand scheme of a sign-up process lol
                As I said, the pause is limited to 242 days. Pay the $35 for the first time and you get another 242 (recharging the roaming pack every 365 days). Explainer here

                • +1

                  @Techie4066: Mate for international mobile roaming your plan works.

                  However, it does not work for someone who wishes to keep the same phone number while overseas and in Australia. If someone wanted to use the same phone number while overseas and in Australia that strategy does not work because you have to un-pause your plan in Australia.

                  • -2

                    @pandadude: Uh, yeah, isn't that obvious? We're on a deal post for roaming. Most OzBargainers "SIM slut" and port between providers constantly. This is a perfect plan for someone on a short holiday (not a heap of data) or on an extended trip needing to keep their Aus number alive. I moved from Boost to Felix for a month after my plan expired to enjoy cheap reliable roaming in NZ, and now I'm back.

                    • @Techie4066: your first point was 365 days. You can't be both a 365 day person and a "SIM slut".

                      Don't get me wrong your strategy works perfectly in the way you have mentioned and is something I am going to consider.

                      But for people who are on 365 prepaid with $200 Boost or Optus $180 prepaid plan (always around $150). Moving your sim card might not be worth it.

                      Paying that extra $20 for that one holiday for 14 days might be worth it compared to moving across to another provider and losing some of that 365 prepaid.

                      Don't get me wrong the Boost deal is terrible but you are pay for convenient.

                      • -1

                        @pandadude:

                        your first point was 365 days. You can't be both a 365 day person and a "SIM slut".

                        Yes you can. It's called an OzBargainer that goes overseas for a year (or for any period for that matter). I think it's reasonable to explain the full workings of the product?

                        But for people who are on 365 prepaid with $200 Boost or Optus $180 prepaid plan (always around $150). Moving your sim card might not be worth it.

                        Yes. People are capable of considering a product factoring in their circumstances and needs. Many are still on monthly plans (a big part of SIM slutting).

                        Paying that extra $20 for that one holiday for 14 days might be worth it compared to moving across to another provider and losing some of that 365 prepaid.

                        You can get a new number if that's suitable.

                        Don't get me wrong the Boost deal is terrible but you are pay for convenient.

                        Not the OzB way ;)

                  • +1

                    @pandadude: If I remember correctly, Felix allows you to still receive SMS and calls even when paused. So, you can still keep your number in 'passive mode' to just allow people to call your or send you sms (for 2FA for example).

  • +3

    $40, 14days, 1 hour of calls, Pretty shit value

    • +3

      Agree.. I think people are voting for roaming availability on Boost.

      • +1

        Yeah true, shame they couldn’t come out with a better deal, I’m on a old Optus sim plan 80gb, 4gb roaming unlimited international calls, $37.50, can’t get anything even close to that deal with roaming included anymore, as much as I’m overpaying monthly as I don’t need 80gb, I’ll pay it just to have the roaming option

        • Yeah.. Dont see roaming getting affordable in near future..
          May be try buying a local sim for data when overseas? SMS (incoming) would work too.. Making calls could be the issue though.

          • +1

            @Skyisblue: Nah happy to stick with the Optus plan, make alot of use of it when overseas, was just hoping another provider by now would have better deals

  • +6

    If your phone supports esim, you can get one online for a way better price that has data only. Mix that with boosts wifi calling/sms/etc (works with mobile data). You don't really need boost roaming.

    • Where abouts online do you buy them?

  • Most overseas roaming deals are sh*t value for money - even the companies themselves state this on their pages and advise where possible to use a local SIM card. Whilst handy in some situations, I find the wifi calling to be of just OK useful wise. It's really just so my folks and my Mrs's folks who can call her easier but honestly nothing that an array of apps can't do these days. The best combo I found really is get a dual SIM burner when overseas - like the A71 which has decent enough power and get a local SIM where possible or those ebay roaming SIMs (just data no number/local calling) then just use Skype if you need to call locally.

  • +2

    If you need to do biz and want your normal number, this makes sense.

    But if you are on holiday, let's say Thailand, a local SIM is still better: DTAC Happy 699 baht ($29.11) 15-day 30GB at Max Speed (then shaped to 384 kbps)

  • It's a good price because of the convenience.

    • That’s not a bargain then is it just a “good price” for a substandard option

  • +6

    Currently overseas. To let everyone know, you can actually receive SMS without roaming pack. Needed it to add credit cards, etc to apps. I got the SMS from boost 3 days after arriving saying they now have international roaming and best to activate as late as possible as the pack begins straight away.

    On another note, 28 degree declined many transactions(gojek, grab) without telling me. I told them before i travelled…Luckily i have a VOIP phone and was able to contact them but was very inconvenient.. they said nothing they could do as it is system generated.
    Luckily i had hsbc debit and citibank.

    Some transactions required me to reply 1 to confirm. But unfortunately i couldn't reply without the roaming pack

    • In theory VoWIFI is supposed to let you send SMS as well, isn't it?

      I'm just curious about how well VoWIFI works in practice.

      • +1

        I actually had it in a spare phone. Didn't even think of VoWIFI

      • +2

        FWIW I was overseas last month with a normal Telstra SIM. I could receive calls and sms over wifi just fine but I couldn't send smses over wifi even though I have roaming enabled. I assume it'd work if I was connected to a roaming mobile network instead of wifi.

    • +2

      I’m overseas with the 28 degree card too. They sent me the sms message after my very first overseas transaction yesterday and I immediately replied with 1. No problems with using the card after that.

      • +1

        I was fine for the first 12 days. It suddenly stopped working with grab. Still worked with gojek, but 1 day later, both stopped. Using CC instore still worked but when i called, they had to verify every declined transaction

  • I’m currently using the $40 pack in Bali. However, no message for Telstra/Boost about the activation and the boost app doesn't show any tracking info or purchase confirmation. All I know it works.

    • If you go to myip.com or similar service, which country does it show?

      • +1

        Australia

        • Thanks

    • When you activate Boost mobile roaming in Indonesia, do you get an indonesian mobile number so local people can call that number? I recall it was like that a while ago when I was with optus. Not sure if it is the same now

      • +3

        Nope. I’ve been using roaming under different carriers for the last 30 years and never had an additional local number.

        Here everybody uses whatsapp so they don't care if you have an overseas number.

  • +2

    Roaming on Telstra prepaid seems to be back too, not surprising seeing as it's basically the same product as Boost.

    What is surprising is that Telstra prepaid roaming seems to be better value at $25/4GB/14 days…

  • +2

    IMHO, Felix roaming is better than this

    • Yeah this is terrible value for roaming..
      Not sure how it's a deal, this should be just in the forum's.

  • I can’t see how this is a bargain when you can get a cheap mobile hotspot and use wifi calling when overseas

    Plus they don’t even give you your full data to use 5gb what a rort!

    More a convenience to avoid leaving boost or setting up an international sim?

    I’ll still get it plus a hotspot but I will feel robbed

  • When you activate Boost mobile roaming in Indonesia, do you get an indonesian mobile number so local people can call that number? I recall it was like that a while ago when I was with optus. Not sure if it is the same now

  • +1

    So this is actually worse than before… Until Boost introduced the International Roaming pack, it didn't connect to any overseas network, but you could use your WiFI-call to use the phone the same way as you'd be in Australia (to call AU numbers/receive calls AND to use your International call minutes).

    Now, you can still use WiFi calls without purchasing the Roaming package (that is a +), HOWEVER you CAN'T call International numbers (even if you have balance), unless you purchased a roaming pack (eg. you can't call NZ numbers being in NZ but connected through WIFI).

    So it is actually worse value than what we had before when only WIFI calls were available.

    • Maybe try disconnecting from the local carrier network when trying to call NZ… vowifi should work on airplane mode with just wifi connection… Does this make any difference?

      • -1

        If you put the phone into airplane mode, that deactivates the SIM(s), so wouldn't connect to the mobile network (via WiFi call), even if the WiFi is on and connected.

        The only method I could think of is that you need to be at a place where there is no mobile reception, but you got WiFi, and then it might work (as it wouldn't connect to the cellular network, so it wouldn't know that you are not in Oz).

        • +1

          Perhaps it depends on your phone, I have a Samsung S21 and voice over WiFi works in airplane mode.

          Once I have switched to airplane mode, both cellular and WiFi will be turned off… Upon manually turning on wifi, the wifi call would appear after a couple of seconds. Then I can make calls.

          Since I'm currently in Australia, I do not know if this works when roaming overseas.

          Btw not every wifi hotspot can be used for voice over WiFi (probably due to certain types of security certificate etc.)

          • @gkgkgk: Can confirm this has worked for me throughout Europe.

        • If you put the phone into airplane mode, that deactivates the SIM(s), so wouldn't connect to the mobile network (via WiFi call), even if the WiFi is on and connected.

          I was on a plane last month and connected to the in-flight wifi. I was in flight mode and noticed the VoWiFi icon appeared. I tried calling my friend while in the air and his phone rung, so it does work. I'm on a regular Telstra SIM.

    • That sucks if that’s the case since was unrestricted before

  • Was on chat with Boost and they confirmed that the included roaming minutes are for calls to Australian numbers, not the locals (country I am visiting), and not to other countries. If this is correct, the roaming plans are really no good value…

    Anyway, I assume using VoWIFI would allow me to call locals (which may use the included data if no wifi…)? Does using VoWifi also allow me to call all other numbers included in international package?

    • really? cannot call local number? if like this, they can not say this is international roaming pack!
      what a jok for boost

  • Yep,crap.
    Currently in Europe, activated it in France, then can't use it in Belgium and now can't use it in Switzerland. $40 down the shitter. Yeah, I know, should have read the fine print.
    You can just use WIFI calling to call or text Australia. Aeroplane mode with wifi on works a treat to call banks/ work etc.
    Wife is using a Sims Direct UK 3 sim and its great for Facebook/Google maps/ tickets etc. and I am now hotspotting off her. Speed isn't that great, but using it for the above it's just fine. Great for out and about,then just using wifi at the hotels.

  • Can be activated from App when overseas

    Does it mean that you can also purchase the pack thru your app while you're already overseas?

    TIA

    • +1

      Yes purchase while overseas, as it activates straight away.

Login or Join to leave a comment