Best options for making cheap calls/text when overseas?

[SYD]

When I created this thread I hadn’t fully appreciated that iPhone users can actually load up to 8 eSIMs and toggle between them to activate what’s most appropriate at the time.

So having say a Telstra prepaid eSIM and one or more data only eSIMs on call probably covers most bases?

 

[jastel]

Dont think I will be any help to the Android brigade in my upcoming trip...

Despite telling the "expert" at Telstra I wanted an esim phone to use travel overseas and use overseas data sims she has sold me a "locked" new, bought outright for cash. S23+ phone.

After getting suspicious reading some internet articles I called for clarification...so $80 to unlock it and then wait for 4-6 weeks to get the unlock code (due to Covid...still...really?) from Samsung!!
I thought that phone locking went out ages ago...maybe if you buy the phone on a pay off plan at $10 per month etc..

They make Qantas look like professionals.

If I am lucky I will get the code whilst over there and may be able to have a play.

At least its only USA and Canada and the $25 pre paid pack is not too bad value after taking into account the Aussie Peso. And I will have a much better camera and battery than the old one...which was the main reason to get it really.

 

[RB]

Dont think I will be any help to the Android brigade in my upcoming trip...

Despite telling the "expert" at Telstra I wanted an esim phone to use travel overseas and use overseas data sims she has sold me a "locked" new, bought outright for cash. S23+ phone.

After getting suspicious reading some internet articles I called for clarification...so $80 to unlock it and then wait for 4-6 weeks to get the unlock code (due to Covid...still...really?) from Samsung!!
I thought that phone locking went out ages ago...maybe if you buy the phone on a pay off plan at $10 per month etc..

They make Qantas look like professionals.

If I am lucky I will get the code whilst over there and may be able to have a play.

At least its only USA and Canada and the $25 pre paid pack is not too bad value after taking into account the Aussie Peso. And I will have a much better camera and battery than the old one...which was the main reason to get it really.

Sorry but I think you may have been poorly prepared for such a purchase

 

[Fifa]

I have used an Airalo e-Sim for two trips to Japan this year (referral offer posted in referral thread). It worked without issue all over the country including in the mountains.

To make phone calls I have been using the Keep Calling app for years. You just need a sim/e-sim or wifi and can call and text to anywhere. Keep Calling only requires a minimum of US$2 to load, it never expires and there is no monthly fee. Call rates differ depending on the country you are calling eg. Australia US1.6c/min to landlines & 2.6c/min to mobiles, UK 0.9c/min, USA 1c/min

 

[jastel]

Sorry but I think you may have been poorly prepared for such a purchase

How So?

You ask the "experts" who are supposed to know the answer. Thats what they are paid for...

I knew the phone I wanted, had done lots of research (on the phone models) there was a quick 3 day sale, I told her what I wanted the phone for and she said yep this phone does that. I didnt change any of my several Telstra plans around but I didnt specifically ask if it was locked to them either...thats on me.

Selling me a carrier locked phone, that CANT do what I wanted it for (overseas esims) was on her.

Its still a great phone but.

Lesson learned buy at JB Hifi or Harvey Norman.

 

[SYD]

To make phone calls I have been using the Keep Calling app for years. You just need a sim/e-sim or wifi and can call and text to anywhere. Keep Calling only requires a minimum of US$2 to load, it never expires and there is no monthly fee. Call rates differ depending on the country you are calling eg. Australia US1.6c/min to landlines & 2.6c/min to mobiles, UK 0.9c/min, USA 1c/min

Oh, that option wasn’t mentioned in the article I posted earlier. I’ll check it out.

 

[jastel]

Yesterday I got an unlock code from Telstra...4-6 days...not 4-6 weeks???

Today I bought a cheap Optus SIM and it works...so relief for overseas now.
But wondering if my phone was even locked in the first place...
Somebody is telling me BS.

 

[SYD]

Yesterday I got an unlock code from Telstra...4-6 days...not 4-6 weeks???

Today I bought a cheap Optus SIM and it works...so relief for overseas now.
But wondering if my phone was even locked in the first place...
Somebody is telling me BS.

Ironically, the prepaid Telstra plans sound like a good option for OS. That presumably would have worked locked or unlocked.

For those in a similar situation, I recall some of the eSIM provider apps will check if your phone is compatible - I guess checking if it’s “unlocked” might be one check.

 

[Lynda2475]

so $80 to unlock it and then wait for 4-6 weeks to get the unlock code (due to Covid...still...really?) from Samsung!!

Unlocking has nothing to do with Samsung, Telstra have locked the IMEI of the handset to their network, only they can unlock it. Basically they need to get the IMEI for your phone removed from a database and then that propagates to other carriers networks to remove from a block list.

I never buy a handset from a Telco, better to buy direct from Samsung (at their store or online) if you want an unlocked Samsung phone without all the Telstra/Optus/Vodafone bloatware pre-installed.

Buying a non-Telco variant direct form Samsung (and some other retailers) means you also get system updates faster (as they do not have to be tested with the telco variants bloatware).

I guess checking if it’s “unlocked” might be one check

No it will be whether the model support multiple lines and sims and also has the correct GSM (or other) bands for the countries you plan to use it in.

 

[jastel]

Yes, they were not that bad at least for the 30 odd countries on the list. If you went PAYG for the ones NOT on the list it would send you broke. The guy did verify that the Telstra travel pack plans would work in the phone if it was locked to Telstra, just not any other brands plans...or esims.

Who knows who is telling the truth...

I will probably buy a 7 day one as I have approx 1 week in USA before Canada, then hopefully a months worth of a Canada plan.

I couldn't find any way of verifying the locked status without calling Telstra, even the shop said to call Telstra. I did find some websites of stolen IMEI's and such, but nothing about locking.

I think the compatible check is only based on phone specs - ie does it have esim or dual sim etc.
Even that with Android is a minefield - eg US website will say OK based on US specs but you have an AUST spec phone.

 

[jastel]

Lynda that is what I thought but the Telstra "Experts" say different. Where I live it really is Telstra only when you leave town...so swapping telcos is not practicable either.

No Samsung shop where I live and couldn't wait for postage etc, it can take 2 weeks from capital cities, so when it came on sale I grabbed one...lesson learned.

 

[Lynda2475]

Unfortunately the store staff are rarely "experts". But I understand you have limited options.

FYI - whenever Ive ordered items from the Samsung online store usually arrive within 24 hours occasionally 48 hours as they courier them.

To test if a handset is locked, you can always borrow a friends SIM card who is with a genuine competitor i.e. Optus or Vodafone in this case and see if you can make a call. As the blocking is pretty strict in Australia, not all overseas countries block IMEIs even if advised.

Good luck whilst travelling.

I have a 5G tablet, so that when I travel I can put a local data sim in that (and as its basically a giant phone, can use headphones to make calls); and then just payg roam on my phone with data turned off (so no cost) so that I can receive SMS. I dont make or take any calls except in an emergency.

I like the UK 3 data sims as they work in about 100 countries.

 

[jastel]

Thats the problem all my mates have Telstra too!

Just noticed they paid me a dividend for my shares so we are probably about square again...minus all the stuffing around and stress.

 

[SYD]

Also posted on the general eSIM thread but quite relevant to this topic. SingTel are now selling their Tourist plans as eSIMs (that include txt and calls).

SIN based but covers a bunch of SE Asian countries (and you can use any residual balance back in Oz!).

Buy the best Tourist SIM or eSIM In Singapore | Singtel Prepaid

Wondering where to buy a SIM card or eSIM when travelling to Singapore? Check out the tourist SIMs that suit your travelling needs with up to 120GB of 5G data.

www.singtel.com

 

[serfty]

Unfortunately the store staff are rarely "experts".

Retail sales staff on commission is how I describe them and their motives.

(To be clear that is not meant as disparagement; we all need to make a crust somehow)

 

[clifford]

I like the UK 3 data sims as they work in about 100 countries.

Not in any countries beginning with "T", eg Thailand or Turkey (or even the Philippines - not T I know), so not that much use to me, even though I have one.

 

[jastel]

Ended up getting 3 x 14 days 4Gb $25 Telstra PrePaid Travel Packs for my trip to USA and Canada. Couldnt buy a Canadian esim on PAYG unless I was already a customer on a plan.
Can buy a real sim but my real sim is my Oz number.

So had my own number, 5G in the big cities, mostly 4G elsewhere, automatically switched between networks for best service. Some places had H+ or no service in very remote places in the Rockies etc. A nice bonus was I could wifi call any Aust number for as long as I like for free. Yet you cant wifi call the place next door???

I did most of the Facebook posting and googling at night on hotel wifi and used mobile data for satnav, googling buses etc during the day. The phone tells you when you are at 50% or 80% of your data etc so you can pace your useage. If you run out you can just buy another pack but you get no credit for unused calls or texts etc.

I found it quite satisfactory.

 

[SYD]

As mentioned on the eSIM thread, Airalo are now selling eSIM plans for selected countries that include txt and calls (as well as data). So similar to old school picking up a local physical SIM without that hassle (and added benefit that app/provider is in English).

 

[MARTINE]

Forgive me if I am stupid — I always went the Telstra $10 plan in the past but bought a cheap yearly amaysim plan and to which I have added an os roaming pack w gigs/100min call text
Q- can I use (when not in a wifi area) my Telstra wifi calling to an Aussie no in contacts using the amaysim os data as a hotspot.

Looking for ways to optimize the allowance

Again - os e sims are new to me
Be gentle

 

[SYD]

Forgive me if I am stupid — I always went the Telstra $10 plan in the past but bought a cheap yearly amaysim plan and to which I have added an os roaming pack w gigs/100min call text
Q- can I use (when not in a wifi area) my Telstra wifi calling to an Aussie no in contacts using the amaysim os data as a hotspot.

Looking for ways to optimize the allowance

Again - os e sims are new to me
Be gentle

I believe so. It gets mentioned over on the eSIM thread from time to time.

eSims, what is your experience.

I'm going to go the opposite for my next trip. I feel esim is still too hit and miss with providers. Have converted my local Optus to esim and will keep the physical SIM slot free for the local SIM I'll buy on arrival or online

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

The setup might vary for different phone types. On iPhone, I believe the secret is turning on “Wifi assist” and Telstra as the default line for calls/SMS and amaysim for Data.

Hopefully one of the boffins here can confirm if there are any other tricks or traps.