Getting stung by Optus on data roaming...its a Double Whammy!

[sweens]

As a my business requires me to be out of AU for about 3 months a year, mainly in Asia, South Africa and the U.S. I thought that I was being smart minimising my data roaming costs somewhat by using a BB. (I have a BB Bold 9780 on an Optus unlimited plan.)

It's fine when I am in AU as I have 3 GB of data pm but when I roam even with the BB data system (which is much more efficient than IPhone) I have recently been noticing some pretty high data charges...and I only use it for email.

Then today I read this in www.ausbt.com.au
Australian Business Traveller recently investigated which mobile networks charged the most for 'data roaming' and found Optus was by far the worst offender, charging a staggering $20 per megabyte -- or $20,000 per gigabyte.

Yes thats $20,000 per gigabyte! An absolute rort, also the article states that:

The OECD has also confirmed that Australia is among the worst countries when it comes to data roaming costs. Only behind Japan and Chile!

So its a double whammy...it appears that Optus is amongst the worst of the worst!

Sure it appears that you can reduce costs a somewhat by pre buying a data pack for roaming but even that is pretty rich, enough is enough.

Not only do we pay through the nose for data roaming and I am sure roaming calls, (I have now stopped answering my phone when roaming).

ABT will publish a survey on call roaming charging soon but as per some earlier threads we also appear to pay through the nose for airline ticket prices, for flights originating here ,they are generally a fair bit more expensive than if done in reverse (e.g. flying AU-UK-AU v UK -AU -UK) and as for local duty free prices!...enough said!

I could go on but...

Are we Aussies just suckers for this type of price gouging?

 

[Maca44]

A friend of mine was holidaying in Vietnam and Thailand in Febuary this year, got bored and decided to download some music on his iPhone. Well, the word "goose" comes to mind as he says he was unaware of the download/roaming fees Optus charged. Anyway, he received a bill for $26,000 a few weeks after he returned. He instructed a Lawyer to act on his behalf, and I don't know what they did, but the matter was settled with him having to pay less than $200.00. I might add this guy travels overseas on a regular basis, but you can't put brains into a statue. It pays to keep the airplane mode on when abroad (if you really don't need global roaming) and that way you won't get stung.

 

[Robert K]

this issue has been widely reported ever since the iphone came out. surprised this still happens to people.

then again, there are people who still sends money to nigeria.

 

[Austman]

It's an issue that governments should be paying more attention to. The EU finally stepped in, at least within Euroland. It's about time our government took some action. Private sectors will not solve this unless they are 'encourgaed' to. The private sector saying that it's beyond their control is rubbish.

It's an issue for ALL types of roaming.

 

[Robert K]

It's an issue that governments should be paying more attention to. The EU finally stepped in, at least within Euroland. It's about time our government took some action. Private sectors will not solve this unless they are 'encourgaed' to. The private sector saying that it's beyond their control is rubbish.

It's an issue for ALL types of roaming.

first world problem

 

[sweens]

It's an issue that governments should be paying more attention to. The EU finally stepped in, at least within Euroland. It's about time our government took some action. Private sectors will not solve this unless they are 'encourgaed' to. The private sector saying that it's beyond their control is rubbish.

Austman...what action have the EU taken on this?

 

[NM]

This is exactly why I try to be smart with my BB when traveling outside AU. I have my BB mobile Network Options set for Data Service = On, While Roaming = Off.

Then I use WiFi access to sync my email, calendar etc. So when in the office, or Starbucks, Maccas, Airport Lounges, Hotel etc that have WiFi available, once setup for the WiFi access my BB just goes ahead and contacts the BES and syncs all my services.

Now this is good so long as you frequent places with suitable WiFi access. In my case its available in most places I frequent and I can always pop in somewhere for a coffee when necessary. And it means my roaming data costs are $0.

 

[Austman]

It's an issue that governments should be paying more attention to. The EU finally stepped in, at least within Euroland. It's about time our government took some action. Private sectors will not solve this unless they are 'encourgaed' to. The private sector saying that it's beyond their control is rubbish.

Austman...what action have the EU taken on this?

Without knowing if it's totally accurate, here are the details on wikipedia:

Regulation on roaming charges in the European Union - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Robert K]

Without knowing if it's totally accurate, here are the details on wikipedia:

Regulation on roaming charges in the European Union - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

according to the wiki

Data and Internet services are not regulated for the moment by the European Union at the retail level. A wholesale price cap will be applicable as of 1 July 2009.There will be a price cap for the rates the host operator charges a roaming customer's home operator, calculated on a kilobyte basis:

• from 1 July 2009: a maximum of €1.00 per megabyte (excluding VAT);
• from 1 July 2010: a maximum of €0.80 per megabyte (excluding VAT);
• from 1 July 2011: a maximum of €0.50 per megabyte (excluding VAT).

Would be easier to regulate europe because they have a regulating body (EU). But there is not a single regulating body that resides over the western nations.

Unfortunately this will be something that the private sector will have to work out themselves.

eg. with Three(hutchinson), you can get very cheap roaming rates when traveling to other countries where 3 operate.

 

[Austman]

The OECD is concerned too:

More effective competition and better regulation needed to cut high mobile data roaming costs, says OECD

Interestingly:

In Europe, mobile operators have been obliged since March 2010, under the terms of the European Union Roaming Regulation, to give customers information on pricing when they connect to a data network for the first time.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I have 7 sims infront of me, one for each country I regularly visit, all with huge amounts of data. AU mobile redirect to skype, which redirect to local sim#. Check voicemail on AU# once a day, costs $2 tops.

While the roaming prices are rediculous... what's more rediculous is folks that know this, then complain when the bill arrives.

 

[Austman]

While the roaming prices are rediculous... what's more rediculous is folks that know this, then complain when the bill arrives.

The Telco industry knows full well about roaming charges and it is, to them, a cash-cow.

My latest Telstra bill, with a banner saying they are making the bill "Simpler" is 10 pages long. And only 5 pages of that are call details. It's not simple - even they admit it!

I know international mobile roaming (especially data) is expensive but the actual charges are not obvious, unless you spend ages on the Telco's website.

I have multiple SIMs too. I think they are really inconvenient. And we shouldn't really need them. And most wouldn't have them if roaming costs were reasonable.

It's just Telcos's exploiting us.

 

[NM]

When traveling, I take one of these:

SAPIDO

Helps share a wired internet connection in the hotel with my mobile devices including iPod and Blackberry.

I paid HK$299 at Wan Chai Computer Centre and it seems to be work very well for its intended purpose. Way cheaper than paying Optus's roaming rates for data!

 

[TonyHancock]

When traveling, I take one of these:

SAPIDO

Helps share a wired internet connection in the hotel with my mobile devices including iPod and Blackberry.

I paid HK$299 at Wan Chai Computer Centre and it seems to be work very well for its intended purpose. Way cheaper than paying Optus's roaming rates for data!

This looks really good. Is it similar to the Apple Airport Express?

 

[oz_mark]

Unfortunately this will be something that the private sector will have to work out themselves.

...it doesn't look like the provate sector is going to do anything about it, without government intervention.

 

[NM]

This looks really good. Is it similar to the Apple Airport Express?

Don't know. I don't have the Apple product. Its very small (about 3 inches x 2.5 inches and weighs almost nothing. Its powered from a mini-USB connection so can even be powered from a PC's USB port, though it comes with a plug-pack supply (with UK plug when purchased in HK of course).

Just make sure you set it up right and don't leave it at its default setting (no wireless authentication or encryption and admin/admin user/password. It was pretty easy to setup correctly, but did work straight out of the box with its default settings.

 

[TonyHancock]

Don't know. I don't have the Apple product. Its very small (about 3 inches x 2.5 inches and weighs almost nothing. Its powered from a mini-USB connection so can even be powered from a PC's USB port, though it comes with a plug-pack supply (with UK plug when purchased in HK of course).

Just make sure you set it up right and don't leave it at its default setting (no wireless authentication or encryption and admin/admin user/password. It was pretty easy to setup correctly, but did work straight out of the box with its default settings.

It sounds similar to the Airport Express but with the advantage of using laptop power. Also sounds a bit smaller than the Apple product. I think I need to get one. Thanks for the info on that.

 

[KLN]

Jnr. 15yo female on BB with regular updates to FB and only a few sms's found herself with a $400.00 extra on my bill after only 2 weeks in Malaysia and Shanghai.
hhmmmm. no more global roaming for her.......

 

[NM]

It sounds similar to the Airport Express but with the advantage of using laptop power. Also sounds a bit smaller than the Apple product. I think I need to get one. Thanks for the info on that. ​

Maybe I should I buy a box load of them and bring them back to Australia to sell on eBay!

By the way, they can be found on eBay (search for "travel Wireless Router") for not much more than I paid in HK - including delivery. Shipping price from HK, China or Taiwan is cheap because the entire package weighs almost nothing. But I can't comment on the reliability or support as I have only purchased one and not needed to seek any warranty or support services. But for the price, its a disposable item as far as I am concerned.​

 

[TonyHancock]

Maybe I should I buy a box load of them and bring them back to Australia to sell on eBay!

By the way, they can be found on eBay (search for "travel Wireless Router") for not much more than I paid in HK - including delivery. Shipping price from HK, China or Taiwan is cheap because the entire package weighs almost nothing. But I can't comment on the reliability or support as I have only purchased one and not needed to seek any warranty or support services. But for the price, its a disposable item as far as I am concerned.

Compared to the AUS$149 for the Airport Express it is a steal. The ability to charge from a PC is a real bonus. Like you say at the price it is a disposable.

Just bought one on ebay. Many thanks for the advice on this, much appreciated.