Best options for making cheap calls/text when overseas?

[VPS]

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

Just to clarify - have you got 2 SIMS in your phone and do you have an iPhone or android.

 

[MARTINE]

Just to clarify - have you got 2 SIMS in your phone and do you have an iPhone or android.

Yes
I have physical telstra SIM and an eSim from amaysim with international roaming prepaid
I have iphone 14 plus

 

[VPS]

Under settings in Mobile you will see the 2 SIMs and you can turn them on and off as required.

I have used Telstra wifi roaming to check voicemail and send texts but not sure if I actually rang anyone.

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription you are allowed 60 minutes or free calls every month.

I've actually taken my physical UK sim out of my phone because I lent it to someone going to the UK but you then need to check the roaming settings

 

[SYD]

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.

Noting you have an iPhone. I did find this post (#183).
eSims, what is your experience.

That mentions one of the hacks to get wifi calling using two SIMs in parallel.

Force Telstra over to a network that it doesn’t roam on (so can’t make a call). The phone should then use wifi or the data on the 2nd line to make/receive calls.

I believe (but could be wrong) the other setting is “Allow Mobile Data Switching” ON.

 

[MARTINE]

Thanks everyone
I will put all the tips/tricks/hacks to good use
Only a few days to go

 

[VPS]

Thanks everyone
I will put all the tips/tricks/hacks to good use
Only a few days to go

We want photos please

 

[MARTINE]

We want photos please

Ok
Will attempt close up of Sting calling security as I approach @ Montreux Music Festival

 

[SYD]

Thanks everyone
I will put all the tips/tricks/hacks to good use
Only a few days to go

Hope it works out!

I'm heading back OS in a few weeks. I still haven't decided to get the amaysim $20, $25 or $70 roaming pack. They all have pros (mostly) and some cons. I don't have access to WiFi calling with amaysim - so that's mute but the basic $20 pack with 100 minutes and 100 text for 12mths (and renewable and/or rollover) is very good value anyway and used in conjunction with data eSIMs, solves the key questions in post #1 for my usage.

 

[MARTINE]

Hope it works out!

I'm heading back OS in a few weeks. I still haven't decided to get the amaysim $20, $25 or $70 roaming pack. They all have pros (mostly) and some cons. I don't have access to WiFi calling with amaysim - so that's mute but the basic $20 pack with 100 minutes and 100 text for 12mths (and renewable and/or rollover) is very good value anyway and used in conjunction with data eSIMs, solves the key questions in post #1 for my usage.

Have a great trip and thabks for your help

 

[jb747]

Just pick up a sim from someone like SimsDirect before you travel. Cheap. Worked really well every time I’ve need them. I will NEVER pay Telstra $5 per day for literally nothing.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Hope it works out!

I'm heading back OS in a few weeks. I still haven't decided to get the amaysim $20, $25 or $70 roaming pack. They all have pros (mostly) and some cons. I don't have access to WiFi calling with amaysim - so that's mute but the basic $20 pack with 100 minutes and 100 text for 12mths (and renewable and/or rollover) is very good value anyway and used in conjunction with data eSIMs, solves the key questions in post #1 for my usage.

Depending what country you land in, we use eSim for australia such as Optus or Telstra, then buy a physical sim when we arrive. Set eSIM as secondary and country sim as primary. For example in the uk a £10 sim covers calls and internet and European travel depending on company. As others have said, never pay the extortion for roaming charges from Australian telecos.

 

[SYD]

Just pick up a sim from someone like SimsDirect before you travel. Cheap. Worked really well every time I’ve need them. I will NEVER pay Telstra $5 per day for literally nothing.

Telstra is actually $10 per day!

But as discussed here and some other threads, there are now much better options that allow you to roam with your own number and, in the case of amaysim for $20 you can get 12mths roaming calls and texts (within caps but can be recharged). There are some limitations, so may not be for everyone.

Depending what country you land in, we use eSim for australia such as Optus or Telstra, then buy a physical sim when we arrive. Set eSIM as secondary and country sim as primary. For example in the uk a £10 sim covers calls and internet and European travel depending on company. As others have said, never pay the extortion for roaming charges from Australian telecos.

Yes, I’ve ported to amaysim on eSIM and have freed up the physical SIM slot. My UK GiffGaff SIM is now there and it will provide additional call/txt/roaming data in the UK/Europe while ever I keep that active (just need to be in the UK every six months or so).