Cheap long expiry plans with large amounts of data and international call inclusions to many countries. 5G access on the $199 425GB plan.
The Vodafone network has expanded significantly by sharing Optus' regional towers. This improves coverage in those areas.
425GB plan renews at $300. Must be activated within 365 days of purchase.
220GB plan includes 40GB bonus data. Renews at $200. Activate by 31/03/25.
thats $180 for 11 months (336 days) and this is $139 for 360 days.
Lyca - TPG network from June 2024
Lebara - Vodafone network
So take an informed decision .. i will be taking a Lebara sim from the above offer ..
TPG network is Vodafone network…
Many OzBargainers have had issues using Lyca such as porting problems.
Except the fact that one can only join Lyca 5 times as a new customer, then no more apparently.
I tried multiple times but they are 100% useless once you joined Lyca 5 times, as 6th time you won't be able to and you cannot get any support from anyone at all in helping you join Lyca for 6th time. This is tied to your actual identify btw, so cs bs of use another id (like passport instead of driving licence) doesn't work.
Even if you contact ombudsman for telco etc. you get nothing at all from Lyca which could allow you to use Lyca 6th time
It's called CARMA , believe it !
Karma, that other companies (Kogan, Lebara, Vodafone, Boost, Coles, amaysim etc.) get the business of customers after 5 times of being a new Lyca customer.
Yeah
How so?
Here are some details of the Telecommunication “Independent” Ombudsman:
Telecommunications service providers (including carriers and eligible carriage services providers) are required to be members and fund the dispute resolution scheme operated by the TIO.
Source: https://www.tio.com.au/about-tio
They are pretty much useless, they got zero power to penalize telco.
all they do is literally nothing more than like a communication forwarder between two parties.
@USER DC: That's not true. They have power and they have been brilliant the two times I've used them.
Does it work for people already with lebara currently on 365 days plan expiring soon.
No-> 'Now $? for NEW customers. Online only. Ends 31 Mar.', https://www.lebara.com.au/prepaid-plans/long-expiry/
Finger cross for a similar sales by others ?
thanks
Kogan deal looks better tbh
No international calls or 5G on Kogan
Just regarding Vodafone coverage, I've found it's consistently the worst when it comes to coverage in lifts and basements in urban areas of Sydney. I'm not sure if it's because the buildings I frequent are mostly served by towers that use Band 3 (1800 MHz), which has a harder time penetrating solid structures than the lower bands (700 and 850 MHz). My other guess is that Optus and Telstra just have Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) everywhere.
The regional coverage should come in handy without having to use a second SIM when on holidays. As far as I know, any sparsely populated areas in greater metro Sydney (e.g. between Waterfall and Thirroul) aren't considered regional and so aren't part of the agreement. Though Optus isn't the best in these areas anyway.
I don't think it's just a Vodafone thing, I use Boost that uses the full Telstra network where I get only 3G or no coverage in certain areas which includes when visiting Coles/Woolies in Syd/Melbs or Perth. Prior to Boost, I've used Coles (uses the Optus network) and Vodafone and I'd lose coverage at the most random places; more so with Voda than the other 2.
It's definitely not just a Vodafone thing. Concrete and steel are known to block radio waves, which even led to an OzBargainer theorising that Coles and Woolies intentionally block signal. Same goes for those random "dead zones" (living in hilly areas of Sydney doesn't help).
Just a warning that 3G no longer exists in Australia and Telstra has reallocated the 850 MHz spectrum to its 5G network. Since Telstra already used mostly 700 MHz for 4G (which penetrates even slightly better than 850 MHz), this may indicate that Telstra may have still had more 3G coverage in the areas you frequented, but that's just a guess. It could be something else like the tilt of an antenna?
You are not alone. At my doctors clinic I get no signal at all. At the Paradise Hotel I get barely a signal. Tis is in SA. Never had this problem with Telstra or Optus. The ad says they doubled the network. Total bullshit lies.
Yeah, Paradise SA is still considered part of a major city. As far as I know, Optus considers regional areas those that fall within "Inner Regional" and "Outer Regional" relative-access-to-services statistics. You can see those areas on this interactive map if you select "2021 Remoteness Area".
It turns out Waterfall NSW is considered Inner Regional, but I suppose the improvements may have been more noticeable if a deal was struck with Telstra.
Good amount of data thx, although being a vodaphone user I feel the only thing they've doubled is their marketing. I can't think of one place I've noticed an improvement this year. In my local Coles in Oatley no signal at all, yesterday in the centre of Bowral no data just voice and text.
I'm waiting for my plan to explore but won't be going back.
good deal - "new customers only" probably should be added to description?
Can you get this Sim at Woolworths and use the monthly 10% discount?
I dont think it applies to sim cards and gift cards
10% works on simcards, I picked up Vodafone $150 for 135 a while back. Unless they have closed it.
Also paid for it on GC
Let me know if you can find this exact deal at Woolies, Ty. This is a great idea if we can find it and it works.
On the site it says xxGB per 30 days, is that just to illustrate how the data can be evenly distributed or do they allocate you a set amount per month?
If you need about 250gb the Vodafone deal is better as $150 for 365 days full 5g. The xs is only 4g. Unless you need international minutes
I am with Boost but they doubled the price since the Covid as the cheapest plan now is $300 for 365 days
I have been sticking with Boost mainly due to Free Wifi Calling when roaming overseas plus international minutes, eSIM, 5G and slightly better coverage.
Does any of the other virtual service providers offer free Wifi calling while roaming overseas?
Stupid but I like boost for the voicemail to SMS too. Playing voice messages straight from SMS is so handy.
But yeah, getting so pricy now but staying with it due to all your reasons too.
How to setup free WiFi calling via Boost?
Only need to enable WiFi calling on your phone and be connected to a Wifi network.
Overseas wifi calling on Boost or Telstra only works with Australian numbers. Boost or Telstra won't let you call international numbers while using overseas wifi. Your need to pay for roaming.
Just something to be mindful about.
Note both Vodafone and Optus have disabled overseas wifi calls.
Correct - Telstra / Boost only allows outbound WiFi calling to Australian numbers and inbound calls which is not perfect but sufficient for most as some provides don't even offer free international calls even while in Australia.
Anyone tried using an Australian VPN to get around ?
Its odd, wifi calling when i am overseas to australian no.s used to work when i had a telstra sim but doesnt work for me with Boost. I have wifi calling on.
How to enable voice, when you say "Playing voice messages straight from SMS is so handy." Do you mean the text convert?
No you'll get a txt with a 'play button' and you'll play the message back that way. No logging in to retrieve the voice message.
Switched my wife from Boost to Lebara, nothing works, can't call, no internet, chat support no response. Terrible start.
Is this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/896447 a good alternative?