eSims, what is your experience.

[exceladdict]

Another unstated bonus is when in Oz I can access Optus' 5G network.

OT but Mrs excel and I were never able to access 5G on this

 

[SYD]

OT but Mrs excel and I were never able to access 5G on this

Is your phone 5G capable?

I routinely get 5G at home and quite to my surprise, I’m getting 5G on AT&T here in the US!

 

[exceladdict]

Is your phone 5G capable?

I routinely get 5G at home and quite to my surprise, I’m getting 5G on AT&T here in the US!

Yes, both on iPhone and Android. I enquired with support once to no avail. Wonder if we had pre-5G sim cards or something similar.

 

[SYD]

Wonder if we had pre-5G sim cards or something similar.

Unlikely. I got mine in mid 2019 and then a 5G capable phone later that year.

There is / was a button or something in Optus app (from memory) to enable 5G access. Which did seem weird. There’s also controls in iPhones to enable/disable some 5G access.

 

[VPS]

@MARTINE @RooFlyer How are you going with the eSIM in Europe and UK and who did you go with.

Got some friends going shortly and just trying to work out which one to recommend for them

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

I went with Airalo and it's been ok. Installation pretty simple although adjusting the physical SIM for voice only and the eSim for data was a bit tricky to be sure I had it right.

Good 5G in France, Germany and Switzerland, but seems to choose 3G more often in the UK ( or maybe that's all that's available where I am in the country)

While driving about using Google maps and the other stuff I used about 700MB of data/day on the continent so it's not the cheapest, but OK.

Getting additional data very easy.

 

[Pushka]

India esim was a fail. Could not connect. Well, connected to something but no mobile data. Airolo support took too long to respond. We were on our exit before they did. Issuing credit.

 

[levelnine]

While driving about using Google maps and the other stuff I used about 700MB of data/day on the continent so it's not the cheapest, but OK.

If you're using a lot of data on the continent for a 1 month period, you should have used the Orange Poland 15GB for $AUD32c deal. Cancel after the first month: Orange Flex European 5G SIM Plan, 11.14GB Roaming Data, 1 Month for PLNzł1 (~A$0.32) (Renews at PLNzł80 / A$26 Monthly), App R

 

[RooFlyer]

If you're using a lot of data on the continent for a 1 month period, you should have used the Orange Poland 15GB for $AUD32c deal. Cancel after the first month: Orange Flex European 5G SIM Plan, 11.14GB Roaming Data, 1 Month for PLNzł1 (~A$0.32) (Renews at PLNzł80 / A$26 Monthly), App R

Yes, thanks. Someone specifically pointed that one out to me earlier in the thread. I looked at it and I can’t remember why I didn’t go ahead with it but it’s probably along the lines of I just couldn’t be stuffed trying to muck around understanding it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Good 5G in France, Germany and Switzerland, but seems to choose 3G more often in the UK ( or maybe that's all that's available where I am in the country)

Update @VPS .

If they are looking to use mainly in the UK, I would now caution against Airalo. Too often it’s completely dropped out in places it really shouldn’t or gone so slow my Google Maps car navigation has clagged.

 

[qaz]

@MARTINE @RooFlyer How are you going with the eSIM in Europe and UK and who did you go with.

Got some friends going shortly and just trying to work out which one to recommend for them

Thanks

Good thing I had the Orange Flex as back-up which worked a treat (15GB for $0.23), and I used this exclusively for the last ten days of my trip (~11GB). I cancelled the Orange plan once I got back, then promptly got a text saying I’d get a refund of my 23 cents because I used the service for less than 14 days.

nice - definitely the best choice for Europe in general

While driving about using Google maps and the other stuff I used about 700MB of data/day on the continent so it's not the cheapest, but OK.

could you have downloaded the maps via wifi, to then use them offline?

 

[RooFlyer]

could you have downloaded the maps via wifi, to then use them offline?

Yes, but that doesn't give me traffic - essential! Same for maps.me that I have a complete set of, much better than GM offline bit again, no live traffic.

 

[Gold Member]

Yes, thanks. Someone specifically pointed that one out to me earlier in the thread. I looked at it and I can’t remember why I didn’t go ahead with it but it’s probably along the lines of I just couldn’t be stuffed trying to muck around understanding it.

Maybe something about the need to send a Polish based entity a digital copy of you and your Passport. It’s the only thing cautioning me from abstaining from this deal.

We’ve got enough to worry about with Optus and Medibank here locally, let alone an overseas country with our passport details.

 

[qaz]

fair enough, but if you prefer the Optus network, then Amaysim could be cheaper and better - assuming away for 4mths/yr, using 2.5-3GB/mth:

• Felix: 8mths x $35 (or 50% off 3mths with FELIX50) + 3x 4GB/$20 = $340 ($287.50)
• Amaysim: 365-day $120 (frequently $99, occasionally $60) + 2x 5GB/$70 = $260 ($239, $200) - $35 Cashrewards

50% off Amaysim long-expiry plans e.g. 60GB/12mths $60 + $17.50 $7 ShopBack/Cashrewards - ends next Monday

12 Month SIM Only Plans - Long Expiry

Long expiry 12 month prepaid mobile plans with no lock-in contract. Go on. Feel amaysim.

www.amaysim.com.au

also

20% off All Travel eSIM Cards (Instant Delivery) – Europe, USA, NZ, Japan, Korea, Asia & More from $12 @ TravelKon

Deal: 20% off All Travel eSIM Cards (Instant Delivery) – Europe, USA, NZ, Japan, Korea, Asia & More from $12 @ TravelKon, Store: TravelKon, Code: ESIM20, Category: Travel

www.ozbargain.com.au

 

[MARTINE]

@MARTINE @RooFlyer How are you going with the eSIM in Europe and UK and who did you go with.

Got some friends going shortly and just trying to work out which one to recommend for them

Thanks

I actually stayed w telstra $10 day to cover everything (the weeks leading up to the actual trip got rather complex - my capacity to explore options limited me to just getting onto the flight at all).

 

[mel1]

Update @VPS .

If they are looking to use mainly in the UK, I would now caution against Airalo. Too often it’s completely dropped out in places it really shouldn’t or gone so slow my Google Maps car navigation has clagged.

What about just in London, do you know?

 

[Quickstatus]

I used Airalo recently in UK, DK
Good coverage
Except it does not come with a mobile number meaning I can't divert and the read iMessage or sms which are sent to my AU mobile number.

For that I have to turn on the Telstra roaming international day pack. Hassle if Sms used by 2FA in the various apps

 

[mel1]

I used Airalo recently in UK, DK
Good coverage
Except it does not come with a mobile number meaning I can't divert and the read iMessage or sms which are sent to my AU mobile number.

For that I have to turn on the Telstra roaming international day pack. Hassle if Sms used by 2FA in the various apps

But can you read iMessage or SMS sent to AU number if on wifi in a hotel?

 

[SYD]

But can you read iMessage or SMS sent to AU number if on wifi in a hotel?

That usually works fine.

I used Airalo recently in UK, DK
Good coverage
Except it does not come with a mobile number meaning I can't divert and the read iMessage or sms which are sent to my AU mobile number.

For that I have to turn on the Telstra roaming international day pack. Hassle if Sms used by 2FA in the various apps

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.

 

[Quickstatus]

iMessage ought to work fine?

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