GoTalk Australia - On the nose and more expensive than Optus

[ethernet]

I forked out $29 for a GoTalk Global Sim Card because is rates were as good or better than anyone else.

Now I discover they want $3 plus PER MINUTE to make or receive calls to Australia from Thailand, OR still 3 bucks just to receive calls, per minute.

I;ve got a letter in asking them what happened, and will post results if they answer. The Koreans on their LG phones have a great deal - nothing like this in Australia yet.

 

[Simo]

IMHO i would always purchase a sim card in the local country and use that.

This will always be cheaper

 

[markis10]

One could say you would be a Dodo to use go talk?

 

[TonyHancock]

IMHO i would always purchase a sim card in the local country and use that.

This will always be cheaper

That is certainly my experience to date. I have sim cards for China (data only for iPad) Brazil, UK and US.

 

[Cynicor]

The downside of the local sim is that others will not always know which number to call you on.

 

[TonyHancock]

The downside of the local sim is that others will not always know which number to call you on.

Yep certainly an issue. I always let my office and swmbo know the number. I have the added advantange of knowing I'll be in the UK for 10 weeks per year, China for 4 week and Brazil for two weeks so advise accordingly.

I should also comment that I also carry a work Blackberry with me too.

 

[Fantic125]

and just divert your calls to the new number.....

 

[Cynicor]

and just divert your calls to the new number.....

Doesn't that then charge your old number an international call, eliminating some of the advantages?

I use a Singaporean sim mostly, as the SMS costs and call fees are pretty reasonable, even while roaming in most countries.

 

[nlagalle]

Doesn't that then charge your old number an international call, eliminating some of the advantages?

I use a Singaporean sim mostly, as the SMS costs and call fees are pretty reasonable, even while roaming in most countries.

It does.. So close to the same as global roaming costs. I usually leave a message on my voicemail and give the international number.

 

[simongr]

Given the time differences as well the likelihood for calls is lower and thus potentially a lack of a concern.

If I do this then I just send an sms to the relevant people so they immediately have the number.

The only issue I find for less regular trips (and trips that aren't NZ) is that you have to get out and get the SIM when you arrive which isn't always the easiest thing to do.

 

[Simo]

The only issue I find for less regular trips (and trips that aren't NZ) is that you have to get out and get the SIM when you arrive which isn't always the easiest thing to do.

IMHO when I have been going through international departure area there is some Telco carriers offering pre paid services.

 

[ethernet]

Look, when I signed up, GoTalk was cheaper than Coverage & Rates - TravelSIM and had the best reviews. and locally, prepaid, they are still in my good books. If redirect works, it will be better, but at $3.23 plus from Thailand to Australia they need publicity, that they are not with it. Free SMS sounds good, but if I cop a few inbound calls (at $3.03 per minute + 30 flagfall) I am dealing with a pack of Hyena's.


But sometime they increased their rates and did not tell me(awaiting confirmation)
Ref: Global roaming rorts: Australia third worst
Cheapest global/travel SIM cards revealed: special report - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller.

Maybe I can avoid this nonsense. I see the EU is mildly tasking Telcos on roaming, and its about time reform comes to Australia. The good news is that Internet IP and applications are going to bypass this roaming and SMS gouging, and thanks to urban myth . Yes I will be buying a SIM overseas now, and making a few more postings.

 

[JohnK]

Now I discover they want $3 plus PER MINUTE to make or receive calls to Australia from Thailand, OR still 3 bucks just to receive calls, per minute.

Interesting that you wouldn't have a Thai sim card if you visit there regularly. I have been using 1-2 Call for 4-5 years and it is much cheaper than using an Australian sim.

But then I don't have a need for people to call me when i am on holidays and only a handful of people know my Thai number.

 

[moa999]

To show you how much the Aussie carriers (and GoTalk) rip us off.
Look at these IDD rates from Xpax (prepaid Malaysian carrier)

Xpax - Get The Lowest IDD Rates
1.00 MYR = 0.315 AUD

Only downside (and it is a big one) is having to use * codes before dialing

--

Within Malaysia Xpax is brilliant
AUD3c/30 sec to Australia fixed AUD15c/30sec to Australia mobile (cheaper than most Australian plans), and unlimited Internet for A$1.70/day or A$6/wk (and tethering works!)