Aussie carriers that work well in the UK?

[doctord]

Ah, I see what you mean! I didn’t know that was an option (it’s hiding under “4G” plans in my app also - so never bothered looking!).

But perfect for keeping your Oz number alive if heading OS for an extended time for very little cost. Just keep it in credit.

Add that $20 / 12mth roaming and you covered for the occasional call/text.

Spot on! This is exactly what I've done.

 

[VPS]

Hi SYD, that's correct -- the "As You Go" (previously Pay As You Go) is 4G. It's $0 for for 365 days. Realistically, I'm only utilising the Roaming Pack for SMSes and Calls.

For my UK / EU purposes, I use my Lycamobile eSIM (currently 15GBP for 30 days, but was initially 7.5GBP for 3 months) which provides 5G coverage in most areas. Through this prepaid plan, I get 50GB of data allowance a month which I can use in the UK. I can use 12GB per month of this in almost any other country around Europe. For me, that's plenty and negates the need to use my roaming data from Amaysim (hence why the 4G is sufficient as I'm not even using it).

For the Lycamobile are you on a plan or paying month to month - I've been paying month to month with three and their app is appalling and want to change - it has to be an esim and I want someone that the number will stay valid for six months even if you aren't using the number. I was going to do some research this weekend
PS - just in UK for six months then back to Oz but in the UK/Europe most years and have UK bank account so want to keep UK number

 

[doctord]

For the Lycamobile are you on a plan or paying month to month - I've been paying month to month with three and their app is appalling and want to change - it has to be an esim and I want someone that the number will stay valid for six months even if you aren't using the number. I was going to do some research this weekend
PS - just in UK for six months then back to Oz but in the UK/Europe most years and have UK bank account so want to keep UK number

I'm paying month to month with Lycamobile. Haven't had any major issues with them. They use EE's wholesale network. Their app isn't fantastic either, but haven't really had to fiddle around much with my plan. And yes, the eSIM was emailed to be straight away upon signing up with them, so I've only been using their service via the eSIM.

 

[SYD]

For the Lycamobile are you on a plan or paying month to month - I've been paying month to month with three and their app is appalling and want to change - it has to be an esim and I want someone that the number will stay valid for six months even if you aren't using the number. I was going to do some research this weekend
PS - just in UK for six months then back to Oz but in the UK/Europe most years and have UK bank account so want to keep UK number

I have a GiffGaff SIM with the same UK number since ~2018. I just prepay a bundle as required.

They’ll post a physical SIM to Oz (or buy in the UK from Tescos/Sainsbury etc).

There’s supposed to be an eSIM option but I’ve not explored it.

It’s on my To Do list to look at other UK options (with Euro roaming) next time I’m back there - which won’t be until next year.

 

[doctord]

I

I have a GiffGaff SIM with the same UK number since ~2018. I just prepay a bundle as required.

They’ll post a physical SIM to Oz (or buy in the UK from Tescos/Sainsbury etc).

There’s supposed to be an eSIM option but I’ve not explored it.

It’s on my To Do list to look at other UK options (with Euro roaming) next time I’m back there - which won’t be until next year.

I think GiffGaff uses the O2 network which is fine in London but can be a bit patchy in other parts of the UK.

The other one that some of my colleagues here use is Spusu. Similarly, uses the EE network, comes with eSIM, and has a decent roaming bundle: No EU roaming charges with our international SIM deals | spusu

 

[VPS]

This is who piggy backs

 

[SYD]

This is who piggy backs View attachment 440659

Someone posted that or similar on another thread. A comment up thread mentioned that O2 MVNOs usually allow EU roaming for free, the others may charge. But sounds like some of the EE ones might be following suit.

There’s about 30 MVNOs in Oz(!). Here’s an article (albeit a year old now).

Save money with an MVNO provider

Tap into the coverage of the Telstra, Optus and Vodafone networks without the first-party surplus.

www.reviews.org

They don’t discuss international roaming, so the recommendation are presumably purely domestic ops. One advantage of the Telstra based telcos is the potential for wifi calling.

As far as I know, none of the Oz MVNOs will provide full cellular support for Apple Watch (or smartwatch via eSIM using a common number). Which doesn’t affect me for now.

 

[VPS]

Someone posted that or similar on another thread. A comment up thread mentioned that O2 MVNOs usually allow EU roaming for free, the others may charge. But sounds like some of the EE ones might be following suit.

There’s about 30 MVNOs in Oz(!). Here’s an article (albeit a year old now).

Save money with an MVNO provider

Tap into the coverage of the Telstra, Optus and Vodafone networks without the first-party surplus.

www.reviews.org

They don’t discuss international roaming, so the recommendation are presumably purely domestic ops. One advantage of the Telstra based telcos is the potential for wifi calling.

As far as I know, none of the Oz MVNOs will provide full cellular support for Apple Watch (or smartwatch via eSIM using a common number). Which doesn’t affect me for now.

I think my plan with Three is 15 or 20GB and I can use 6 of that in the EU