Best sim card for visitor to Australia

LDiodorus Siculus on 06/01/2009 - 12:27

Hi all,

First off, greetings from the Northern Hemisphere :)

I am looking to visit Australia for a few months and am trying to find what is the best value phone service to use. I have an unlocked tri-band phone so need a sim-only deal.

My main usage will be texting Europe and occasional calls when I can't get a wi-fi connection for skype.

I've been looking at different operators and it seems to me that Virgin mobile offer the best deals on the face of it but as always, I'd prefer some first hand experience.

If I have made any mistakes in my posting, please forgive me.

Any thoughts welcome.

Cheers, Dio

PS I found this site via a similar UK sit which has proven to be very helpful: http://hotukdeals.com/all/deals/new

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • neil on 06/01/2009 - 17:29
    +1

    The wiki has some good ones listed.
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/cheap_mobile_plans

    Exetel's service is good as you can use Skype or whatever SMS over IP program you want. Assuming your phone uses 3G/HSPA.
    http://www.exetel.com.au/residential-hspa-pricing.php

    • Diodorus Siculus on 06/01/2009 - 18:28

      Thank you neil.

      I doubt that I will be a "low usage user" somehow :)

      The links you point me to are helpful; I will take a detailed look.

      Can someone tell me what mobile operators there are? I know of Virgin, Vodafone and 3. Thus far Virgin seems the best deal for me but I am open to any suggestions.

      Cheers, Dio

      • has2bcn on 17/05/2009 - 00:20

        u probably haven't heard of PennyTel, but they're worth looking at . pennytel.com is the site. they have the cheapest VoIp call rates going at the moment, and have recently created PennySim which allows you to use VoIP rates from your existing mobile..!

    • scotty on 06/01/2009 - 19:59
      +1

      I have just signed up Exetel's HSPA plan and waiting for the SIM to deliver. Combine it with VoIP over 3G and you'll get a very cheap call plans.

      @Diodorus Siculus — Virgin is reselling Optus' network. Personally I prefer Optus and Telstra networks because of their coverage, although I have been using 3 for the last 13 months because of cheap data + supposedly good coverage in metro area. If you are in the city most of the time, you might also want to look at 3's new capped prepaid (starting from $29/month), which you can use capped value for voice, SMS/MMS and data.

      • Diodorus Siculus on 06/01/2009 - 23:41

        Thanks.

        Virgin seem to have a pretty competitive package for international calls as well as their regular calls.

        Cheers, Dio

  • neil on 06/01/2009 - 18:51
    +1

    From biggest to smallest, the main ones are:

    Telstra, Optus, Three, Vodafone, Virgin

  • Diodorus Siculus on 06/01/2009 - 19:50

    Many thanks again; I'll take a look at their sites and see what they offer.

    Cheers, Dio

  • jashjash on 07/01/2009 - 13:57

    I've been with Virgin prepaid for a while now, mostly good experience.

    Also they have free virgin to Virgin calls on some prepaid packs, so if you're here with a buddy, get one each, and call each other when you get lost without worrying about the cost :)

    • Diodorus Siculus on 08/01/2009 - 13:31

      Thanks - it's good to know that. My wife and baby are coming too so handy to have free calls between us although I never seem to get far from her line of vision!

      Cheers, Dio

  • alam on 02/04/2009 - 01:26

    for all those who are looking for better deal on mobile phone plan try this company http://www.bestdealmobile.com.au they know mobile game and give you right advise. I got my no contract plan deal with $300 worth of calls for $20 a month. Good luck

  • Davo1111 on 02/04/2009 - 01:33

    If you're keeping you mobile for 'emergency use only' and you want it to be prepaid, you cant go past Vodafone Prepaid on the 365 plan. Credit doesn't expire for 1 year, and calls are therefore slightly more expensive.
    http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/prepaid-mobile/365-day-p…

  • punter1 on 03/04/2009 - 12:13

    low usage user would be isim
    isim.com.au

  • jakxon on 10/04/2009 - 21:28

    pity theres gonna be no isim anymore soon. does anyone know anything similar to the isim network?

  • alexportnoy on 11/04/2009 - 23:22

    Virgin Mobile Australia have taken over ISIM products & services.

    Get a $2 Virgin Mobile Australia SIM card from all BIG-W shopping centres (Tesco-like shopping centre chain in Australia). It has no credit. Virgin Mobile recharges start from $15.

    Virgin Mobile Australia ARE THE ONLY SIM THAT HAS TOTALLY FREE VOICEMAIL. All others charge money in Australia.

    Uses Singtel Optus towers.

    By the way, I wish we had THIS in Australia:

    http://www.e4.com/fonejacker/

  • aldog on 15/04/2009 - 21:46

    That Lebara mobile that was mentioned on OzBargain has pretty good rates for calling internationally:

    http://www.lebara-mobile.com.au/en/index.php

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