Hi there,
I see a lot of bargains on here about prepaid SIMs (like the $10 optus sim for $1) and was wondering how these work. If I bought $100 of them, could I just keep plugging them in when they run out of credit/data or what? Also, does it give you a new phone number every time? If not, is it a hassle to keep transferring your number over?
Thanks, would appreciate any help.
Thanks. If I put in a SIM does it last until I use it up?
And Also, I currently have a plan with VAYA (pretty bad customer service, but I don't really have any problems with them) and because VAYA uses the optus network, would it be free to cancel my plan and just buy these Optus SIMs?
No, there is a amount of time (e.g. 28 days, 30 days) you have to use the allowance (calls, texts, data), after which it expires. If you run out before time's up, you can start a new SIM, buy an extra allowance pack, or do a standard recharge. The last two cost more of course since they are not starter specials. Read the conditions of the kit and the plan which you choose.
If you decide to do this kind of SIM hopping, then you will have to keep porting your number (to alternate providers) every SIM, which usually means every month, that is if you care about having a fixed number. A complication is that Optus <-> Optus MVNO ports suffer more delay. So you have also to know which are the Optus MVNOs.
Some people like me who make few calls have dual SIM phones and have one SIM on a long expiry or as you go plan, and buy these starter kits for data on the second slot. So no effort consumed in porting. A complication is that when 2G services are switched off, you'll need a phone that can do 3G+4G simultaneously.
It sounds like you should research this more, and understand the teminology, before you commit to a course of action, especially if you care about continuity of service on your number.
Don't cancel your plan if you want to keep your number!!!!!
Once your contract is up just buy a sim for a different provider and activate that sim using your current number.
Never ever ever call them to cancel your phone plan because you will lose your number!
Yeah, that's correct. You never tell the losing provider you are leaving or they will drop your number. Let the gaining provider take over the number. That's how the procedure is designed.
Also most do expire so before you buy a heap check the expiry :)
Except vodafone sims stock pile those bad boys!
With the Optus sims when I have used up the credit on one and want to go to the next I just go to online chat and ask to do a sim replacement. That way I don't have to port out and then back in and I get to keep my number. Has worked so far.
What does port out and port in mean?
If you want to change mobile providers and keep your current phone number, your number will have to be "ported" to the new provider. Your new mobile provider will ask you if you want to do this when you sign up or activate your new sim card. They will take care of it for you but you need to be aware of your contract obligations with your old provider.
People port their number out and then back in to the same mobile provider on a new sim card to take advantage of low cost prepaid sim deals. Usually that's the only way to keep your current mobile number while taking advantage of the cheap prepaid sim packs, but with Optus I have found that you just have to do a "sim replacement".
Changing telco but keeping the number. This includes telcos on the same network as well (eg Optus to Amaysim etc)
Porting means taking your business to a new provider. It's a key part of number portability. You give your new provider your details and they take over the number. In and out implies a preferred provider, but actually there isn't any preferred direction, it's just porting.
Oh yeah, there are also people who are willing to do a double port, they port to a free or cheap SIM with no credit, with no intention of recharging, then port immediately back to the original provider. These are the people who rejoice when they spot a free SIM offer because they can save $1 or $2.
What exactly do you ask on online chat?
Have the same question as Redwood.
I did this from coles prepaid and they lost my credit. Had to go to an optus shop to verify that it is a $10 credit. Definitely not smooth sailing. Let me know if you have a good tip.
Can confirm that this works.
Just ask for a sim replacement and provide the sim number you have on the back of the sim card you get.
Yeah that's basically it. However you cannot transfer a number to the same provider so people alternate providers. Me I generally use them for data and if I make a call I often do a caller ID suppress so callees don't get the temp number.