eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

Received an email today from Belong announcing an international roaming package

Any details? Or a link?

 

[ausfox]

Belong

Post automatically merged: May 30, 2023

Everything you need in one pack​

$30 | 15 days to use your inclusions (Minimum cost is $59 as a one-off cost when you add to an eligible Belong mobile plan)​ 3GB of data​ 150 minutes of calls​ Unlimited standard SMS​ Roam in over 30 destinations​

 

[SYD]

Belong

Post automatically merged: May 30, 2023

​ Everything you need in one pack​

​

​ ​

​ $30 | 15 days to use your inclusions (Minimum cost is $59 as a one-off cost when you add to an eligible Belong mobile plan)​ 3GB of data​ 150 minutes of calls​ Unlimited standard SMS​ Roam in over 30 destinations​

Well that’s potentially better value than the roaming packages with the big three Oz telcos.

3GB over 15 days is easily manageable. I get free 4GB per month with Optus and make that work.

 

[MELso]

Heh, Belong offers Austria roaming but not Italy, while Boost offers Italy but not Austria! (Both are Telstra offshoots)

I’ll stick to my eSIM - similar price, more data and more of Europe covered. Not sure whether to bother with data in Singapore on the way home…

 

[SYD]

I’ll stick to my eSIM - similar price, more data and more of Europe covered. Not sure whether to bother with data in Singapore on the way home…

If you’re stopping over in SIN and have space for a physical SIM, these are are probably still the best option *and* you can you the balance back in Oz….

Buy the best Tourist SIM or eSIM In Singapore | Singtel Prepaid

Wondering where to buy a SIM card or eSIM when travelling to Singapore? Check out the tourist SIMs that suit your travelling needs with up to 120GB of 5G data.

www.singtel.com

 

[exceladdict]

Heh, Belong offers Austria roaming but not Italy, while Boost offers Italy but not Austria! (Both are Telstra offshoots)

I’ll stick to my eSIM - similar price, more data and more of Europe covered. Not sure whether to bother with data in Singapore on the way home…

Yeah noticed that Italy was missing! Wonder why.

 

[qaz]

Free 1.5GB of Global Data (Virtual eSIM, Data Valid for 2 Years) @ eskimo.travel

Deal: Free 1.5GB of Global Data (Virtual eSIM, Data Valid for 2 Years) @ eskimo.travel, Store: eskimo, Code: GOODTOFLY, Category: Mobile

www.ozbargain.com.au

Received an email today from Belong announcing an international roaming package

thanks, but Belong don't offer eSIMs yet

Well that’s potentially better value than the roaming packages with the big three Oz telcos.

and so it should be - it's Telstra's budget brand - but not necessarily against its closer rivals, Amaysim and Felix

 

[windycityf]

If you have Telstra prepaid, I found the roaming packages to be pretty decent.
Limited reach, but so far it's only not worked in a few countries.

I have an iPhone with dual sim, US/AUS. I find that both numbers work as long as there is service one line.

I am still trying to work out what to do in countries that neither carrier provides options. I am thinking of just getting another cheap phone for those incidents.

Anyone else back to carrying 2 phones?

 

[Kremmen]

Came for a look here after seeing the puff piece in the Gazette today. That article uses global roaming as its price comparison but ignores costs of SIM cards. 6-9 times the cost for an eSIM doesn't seem worthwhile to me.

e.g. Airalo eSIM for Thailand is US$9.90 for 8 days. That's about A$55/month. An AIS Thai SIM card costs 50 baht. Top up 150 baht/month for 100GB data. That's A$8.60 for the first month and A$6.45/month in future. (If you're likely to be back sometime within a year or so, best to make multiple small recharges, as Thailand has this silly rule that each one extends SIM validity by a month!)

 

[TheRealTMA]

If you have Telstra prepaid, I found the roaming packages to be pretty decent.
Limited reach, but so far it's only not worked in a few countries.

I have an iPhone with dual sim, US/AUS. I find that both numbers work as long as there is service one line.

I am still trying to work out what to do in countries that neither carrier provides options. I am thinking of just getting another cheap phone for those incidents.

Anyone else back to carrying 2 phones?

Leave Telstra sim/esim in and set as secondary. Then just get a new local sim or esim for the county or continent you are in.

Post automatically merged: Jun 8, 2023

Came for a look here after seeing the puff piece in the Gazette today. That article uses global roaming as its price comparison but ignores costs of SIM cards. 6-9 times the cost for an eSIM doesn't seem worthwhile to me.

e.g. Airalo eSIM for Thailand is US$9.90 for 8 days. That's about A$55/month. An AIS Thai SIM card costs 50 baht. Top up 150 baht/month for 100GB data. That's A$8.60 for the first month and A$6.45/month in future. (If you're likely to be back sometime within a year or so, best to make multiple small recharges, as Thailand has this silly rule that each one extends SIM validity by a month!)

Often I find the physical country sim is cheaper than the eSim but depends on country.

 

[RealtimeY]

The article mainly compared the cost of eSIMs vs roaming add-ons in Australia. Like anything, it helps to shop around, and as said above, the outcomes really vary by country, and it really depends on what you need.

"Travel eSIMs" are priced similarly to any "travel SIM", but eSIMs are almost always more convenient, as you hit the ground running with data and don't need to physically change SIMs.

Some recent data points with SIM & eSIM purchases I've made and used:

Travel eSIMs (downloaded before arrival):

• 1 day in Singapore, 500MB, $3
• 1 day in Taiwan, 500MB, $2
• 2 days in HK, 1GB, $4
• 12 days in Japan, 6GB, $18
• 30 days in Mainland China/HK/Macau, 15GB, $27
• 15 days in SE Asia, 15GB, $24

Travel SIMs (inserted before arrival):

• 28 days in EU/UK, 14GB, physical SIM, $27

Local SIMs (acquired on arrival):

• 14 days in Singapore, 100GB, $12

All of these much cheaper than roaming options, but the only roaming function I had was receiving SMS, which was enough in my case.

 

[carlzp83]

Ok, I've pretty much read through the whole thread and am still unsure about what I should do! Would love some advice!
I have $5 data roaming option with Vodafone. Which allows me to access my included data, calls and text with my current plan - 70GB per month.
I am travelling to the USA in August - I will require 18 days of roaming - so that's $90AUD but I will not have to do anything (anyone with experience of Vodafone in the USA, would love to hear from you!) and I will have plenty of data for using google maps, whatsapp, social media etc. I'm not expecting any phone calls (except the spam calls that seem to be prevalent now, which I wont be answering) my family will contact via whatsapp. However I may need to receive the occassional SMS for security (bank, etc).
Alternatively looking at esim, Airolo for example is $26USD (approx $39AUD) for 10GB. I will be using GoogleMap live directions ALOT, so I wonder if 10GB will be sufficient for 18 days plus the hassle of getting the settings right on my iphone?
Thank you!

 

[carlzp83]

Just to add to this, on chat currently with Vodafone to clarify my GB inclusion and I actually get 120GB and an incoming SMS will not activate the plan and I will only be charged on the days I actually use it. Vodafone also uses T-Mobile whilst in the USA.

 

[SYD]

Ok, I've pretty much read through the whole thread and am still unsure about what I should do! Would love some advice!
I have $5 data roaming option with Vodafone. Which allows me to access my included data, calls and text with my current plan - 70GB per month.
I am travelling to the USA in August - I will require 18 days of roaming - so that's $90AUD but I will not have to do anything (anyone with experience of Vodafone in the USA, would love to hear from you!) and I will have plenty of data for using google maps, whatsapp, social media etc. I'm not expecting any phone calls (except the spam calls that seem to be prevalent now, which I wont be answering) my family will contact via whatsapp. However I may need to receive the occassional SMS for security (bank, etc).
Alternatively looking at esim, Airolo for example is $26USD (approx $39AUD) for 10GB. I will be using GoogleMap live directions ALOT, so I wonder if 10GB will be sufficient for 18 days plus the hassle of getting the settings right on my iphone?
Thank you!

I managed on 4GB per mth roaming data with Optus (free), including driving/navigation. So 10GB ought to be sufficient.

If you do get a roaming eSIM, just turn “Roaming data” off on your Vodafone account. You should still be able to receive SMS on your regular number for free. Just don’t send an SMS or make a cellular call, because that will trigger the roaming plan.

 

[RealtimeY]

Airolo for example is $26USD (approx $39AUD) for 10GB

This is a good option. There are cheaper plans out there if you want to save a bit more (19 USD for example)

Just beware that you will not be able to use these to make local calls. Either use Skype, or use your Vodafone line (which will trigger the $5 charge for that day)

 

[carlzp83]

This is a good option. There are cheaper plans out there if you want to save a bit more (19 USD for example)

Just beware that you will not be able to use these to make local calls. Either use Skype, or use your Vodafone line (which will trigger the $5 charge for that day)

Cheers for the link to the cheaper plans!
I cant imagine I will be making many calls. I will be with my parents, but we will use whatsapp to message and probably call using whatsapp or facetime. If I did need to make any local calls, I would use hotel phones as they all seem to charge resort fees that include local calls

 

[drron]

I used Airolo E sim in Europe and london.
My normal phone plan is WW. If I was to receive a SMS for example due to a payment from a bank account I turned on data for my WW plan and turned it off when it had been read. No charges incurred.

 

[Scr77]

I used Airolo E sim in Europe and london.
My normal phone plan is WW. If I was to receive a SMS for example due to a payment from a bank account I turned on data for my WW plan and turned it off when it had been read. No charges incurred.

Does WW = Woolworths? If so, are you saying you received sms to WW sim without paying for a roaming add on?

 

[SYD]

Does WW = Woolworths? If so, are you saying you received sms to WW sim without paying for a roaming add on?

Discussed upthread but most Oz telco plans allow receiving SMS overseas for free. But there are exceptions….

 

[Thibault]

If your phone is compatible with e-sims and you have a US Apple Store account - you can download the Test Drive App / Network Drive app on your phone that gives you unlimited everything for three months in the US using an e-sim.
You also have the same with Verizon.
T-Mobile Network Pass: Try Our 5G Network Free for 3 Months - No more excuses for not having Verizon! -

It works perfectly when I used it last year - I set up the service when I was waiting for my bag at HNL and was set up in less than 10 minutes.
You can also create a US account fairly easily to gain access to the app.

Esims are a fantastic and cheap way to get connected instantly.

Just remember that when you are using an e-sim and they ask you to activate roaming, it means that the SIM is registered to an overseas network - and your internet will always be routed through the sim's country network.
It unfortunately also can drain the battery quicker than if you are using an overseas sim card in the country you are visiting.

Otherwise, Telstra services (including Boost and Telstra Prepaid) offer VOWIFI overseas for free as long as you have access to the Internet.
You could set up the sim as secondary on your iPhone and lock the network selection to a network that Telstra doesn't have access to and you will be able to call/receive voice calls + send/receive SMS/MMS for free to Australians numbers - or you could bring a separate handset and create a hotspot with your phone to gain access to VOWIFI on said device.

It could be a great investment if you just grab a discounted SIM card at WLW/Coles if you prefer to stay contactable on an Australian phone number.
Iphones let you store up to 8 e-sims at a time - you can also now use 2 e-sims at the same time from iPhone 13 series.

I hope this helps a bit