eSims, what is your experience.

Scr77 · May 27, 2023

SYD said:
That usually works fine.

Presumably you’re using Airalo for data, so iMessage ought to work fine?

Who‘s your telco at home? Most postpaid plans will allow receiving SMS overseas for free.

This is what I’m use to. However, less popular countries (Jordan) seem to be excluded. Jordan is even excluded from Telstra pay per day add on packs.

jcwhizz · May 27, 2023

Quite impressed Telstra eSIM worked a treat in Shanghai with or without a VPN!

SYD · May 27, 2023

Quickstatus said:
It didn't allow visibility for iMessage to mobile, only iMessage to email.

Wifi is the same - only seems to allow iMessage to email. Whenever I turned on Telstra roaming I received a slew of sms/iMessage which I didn't get via Airalo, especially the 2FA related messages

I might be wrong, but if you leave your Telstra line turned on but disable “roaming” (data) for that line and have Airalo eSIM line turned on and roaming, you should still be able to send and receive iMessage over Airalo data to/from your regular number. That’s how Truphone eSIM has worked for me in the past - a bit like being on wifi.

Plus SMS to Telstra will work normally at no cost (but not in Jordan nor Norfolk Island etc).

Edit: on an iPhone, there should be a master setting Mobile->Mobile Data. Switch that to the Airalo line (whatever it’s called labelled). Under Mobile / “Telstra” SIM, disable “Data roaming” and ensure roaming is turned on for Airolo.

RooFlyer · May 27, 2023

Quickstatus said:
Wifi is the same - only seems to allow iMessage to email. Whenever I turned on Telstra roaming I received a slew of sms/iMessage which I didn't get via Airalo

Yes, same.

I had Telstra SIM data off, Airolo eSim data on.

I was worried that I wasn't getting usual SMSs, so opened up Telstra roaming ($10 ker-ching) and in they came!

mel1 said:
What about just in London, do you know?

Yes, in London I recall, although couldn't say if it was just a 'blackspot, as the buildings are pretty dense.

TheRealTMA · May 27, 2023

RooFlyer said:
Yes, same.

I had Telstra SIM data off, Airolo eSim data on.

I was worried that I wasn't getting usual SMSs, so opened up Telstra roaming ($10 ker-ching) and in they came!

Yes, in London I recall, although couldn't say if it was just a 'blackspot, as the buildings are pretty dense.

I don’t think you need to pay the telstra extortion to receive SMS.

SYD · May 27, 2023

TheRealTMA said:
I don’t think you need to pay the telstra extortion to receive SMS.

Correct. Only to send SMS, make a call or use data.

Plus Telstra has wifi calling OS. So theres lots of ways to avoid it.

RooFlyer · May 27, 2023

TheRealTMA said:
I don’t think you need to pay the telstra extortion to receive SMS.

D'oh!

SYD said:
Correct. Only to send SMS, make a call or use data.

D'oh!

Quickstatus · May 27, 2023

SYD said:
Data roaming”

SMS uses voice not data. Irrespective of whether data or voice is used the Telstra ker-Ching will ker-ching when either is active

TheRealTMA said:
I don’t think you need to pay the telstra extortion to receive SMS.

In order to receive sms you need the SIM card specific for the mobile number to be on and therefore the Telstra daily ker-ching. Otherwise there is no way the sms will know which phone to appear in.

TheRealTMA · May 27, 2023

Quickstatus said:
SMS uses voice not data. Irrespective of whether data or voice is used the Telstra ker-Ching will ker-ching when either is active

In order to receive sms you need the SIM card specific for the mobile number to be on and therefore the Telstra daily ker-ching. Otherwise there is no way the sms will know which phone to appear in.

One uses the local (uk) sim for primary, then set Australian esim as secondary. Still receive sms from Oz. No charges for incoming I believe (on Optus esim anyway)

SYD · May 27, 2023

Quickstatus said:
SMS uses voice not data. Irrespective of whether data or voice is used the Telstra ker-Ching will ker-ching when either is active

In order to receive sms you need the SIM card specific for the mobile number to be on and therefore the Telstra daily ker-ching. Otherwise there is no way the sms will know which phone to appear in.

My understanding is the “ker-ching” will only click over if you turn on data roaming, send a txt or make a call over the cellar network. Then it’s up to 24 hrs (midnight to midnight based on AEST).

Quickstatus · May 28, 2023

SYD said:
My understanding is the “ker-ching” will only click over if you turn on data roaming, send a txt or make a call over the cellar network.

I went to the day pass webpage and you and @TheRealTMA are right:

SYD · May 28, 2023

Quickstatus said:
I went to the day pass webpage and you and @TheRealTMA are right:

View attachment 330871

Yes, otherwise that “Welcome to xx_x” txt when you land somewhere would trigger the $10 fee! Vodafone and Optus work more or less the same - only pay when you trigger the service.

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Quickstatus · May 28, 2023

SYD said:
Welcome to xx_x

I'd always thought that was the ker-ching
I'll see on the next bill how many of those equated to an actual ker-ching

Hopefully not as many as I thought

luckypierre · May 28, 2023

TheRealTMA said:
I don’t think you need to pay the telstra extortion to receive SMS.

Currently in UK my second iPhone has my Oz number physical 365 day PAYG Boost sim. The phone connects to local networks and I can receive sms messages. Very handy for 2FA. I have not enabled/paid for international roaming. Boost in Oz accesses the full Telstra network.

SYD · May 28, 2023

Quickstatus said:
I'd always thought that was the ker-ching
I'll see on the next bill how many of those equated to an actual ker-ching

Hopefully not as many as I thought

So long as “Data roaming” is left disabled on your Telstra SIM, you shouldn’t get charged automatically just having your phone on.

MELso · May 30, 2023

Using a Czech O2 eSIM in Italy without issue. It offers 10GB for 30 days across the EU (not just the Czech Republic as Airalo suggests). It’s supplementing my usual Boost SIM (which doesn’t offer roaming in Austria and allows wifi calling and SMSing to Australia).

I purchased it from Simoptions, although Airalo turned out to be cheaper. Czech Republic eSIM, from $22 | World’s first eSIM store · Airalo

Scr77 · May 30, 2023

MELso said:
Using a Czech O2 eSIM in Italy without issue. It offers 10GB for 30 days across the EU (not just the Czech Republic as Airalo suggests). It’s supplementing my usual Boost SIM (which doesn’t offer roaming in Austria and allows wifi calling and SMSing to Australia).

I purchased it from Simoptions, although Airalo turned out to be cheaper. Czech Republic eSIM, from $22 | World’s first eSIM store · Airalo

Does that mean you boost SIM doesn’t even receive free SMS for 2 factor authentication in Austria?

MELso · May 30, 2023

Scr77 said:
Does that mean you boost SIM doesn’t even receive free SMS for 2 factor authentication in Austria?

No - it allows me to receive SMSs any time, and make calls and SMSs on wifi.

Scr77 · May 30, 2023

MELso said:
No - it allows me to receive SMSs any time, and make calls and SMSs on wifi.

Awesome. Thanks for confirming.

ausfox · May 30, 2023

Received an email today from Belong announcing an international roaming package

eSims, what is your experience.

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