Value Prepaid Plan on This Criteria

s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 11:40

Hi Guys,

Need some assistance in finding the value Prepaid plans based on following criteria in order please. trying to help a newly arrived family. They don't need the phones, just SIM only plans. They won't be using much and if in need they can always top up….Criteria are

1) Free netwrok to netwrok calls and/or sms amongs each other
2) Resonable expiry date (i.e. 6 months to 12 months)
3) reasonable data limt (min. 100mb per month if possible)
4) Cheap international (India) call rates as much as possible…

So far, I've looked at ALDI & Amaysim on 365 day plan however no free network to network call. The closest I can find is Virgin Simple plan but with very low 100MB over 90 days. Virgin is offering 15c call everywhere incl India, free virgin to virgin and rollover of data and credit…

I would appreciate any feedback/suggestions on this.

cheers

Mobile

Comments

  • amkssg on 07/01/2017 - 12:40

    How many minutes a month to India?

    • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 12:48

      requirement is not much or even mandatory. frankly anything will be better. If I've to put number I'll say 30-40 mins a month

      • amkssg on 07/01/2017 - 13:41

        You might want to consider this plan:
        http://www.lebara.com.au/international-plans/save
        (Just note that there is a 29c flagfall per call.)

        • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 16:17

          Thanks for that. Unfortunately the Flagcall makes is less attractive. Just realized validity on this is 30 days only.
          Virgin is giving 15c to India plus all locals and national calls, 90 days validity, lowest recharge option is $19 with 100mb..

        • amkssg on 07/01/2017 - 16:37

          @s0805:
          Note that with Virgin, 100Mb over 90 days is just 1Mb per day.
          There is absolute no way that your phone uses less than 1Mb a day. The moment you open facebook or receive a picture via whatapp, you are going to exceed 1Mb.

          The $19 is not going to last you 90 days. Virgin knows that, and is counting on you to exceed the data limit.
          (Best case scenario, I would say it will last 60days, which will work out to $10 a month).

          With Lebara, you get 250mb per 30 days, which is 8.3Mb a day. (8 times what Virgin is giving).
          It is also $10 a month, which is comparable to Virgin if you consider the fact that Virgin's plan is not going to last 90 days.

          Also, I don't really understand your issue with the flagfall. If you do the maths, you would realise that Lebara is cheaper even with the flagfall.

          Virgin is 15c to India (no flagfall), while Lebara is 1c to India (29c flagfall).
          So, a 10min call to India on Virgin will cost you $1.50 while on Lebara it wil cost you $0.39

          Virgin is 15c Local Call (no flagfall), while Lebara is 10c to mobile and 6c to landline (29c flagfall).
          So, a 10min local call on Virgin will cost you $1.50 while on Lebara it wil cost you $1.29 (mobile) $0.89 (landline).

        • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 16:52

          @bsmksg:

          Thanks. You make few valid points and I accept that. They seem to think that virgin plan will last them 90 days easily however data allowance is much better with Lebara I agree. can you roll over credit and data limit with Lebara month by month….I think virgin allows that.

          The need to call overseas is much less than locally here. And local calls would most likely be quick calls (1-5 mins max). I think Lebara may still come ahead though, need to run numbers on that.

        • amkssg on 07/01/2017 - 17:28

          @s0805: I don't think they allow for rollover credit.

          Just FYI, I have never been on Labara. I was just researching for you.

        • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 21:24

          @bsmksg:

          Many thanks for your help.

  • chinezejew on 07/01/2017 - 16:34

    Whats the budget?

    • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 16:55

      Honestly, as less as possible. Lebara makes a good case (as above) plus $19 for 90 days with Virgin. If I've to put a number I would say <$10 a month with most criteria addressed would be nice. I understand something has to give way but at this stage cost is driving lot of decision making. Have you got anything in mind…

      • chinezejew on 07/01/2017 - 17:16

        How much on mobile phone usage costs did your relo's spend in India per month?

        I am unsure about international calls requirement.

        If they can use data for calls (whatsapp)… they may get away with
        VODAFONE pay as you go?

        http://www.vodafone.com.au/prepaid/plans/state/starter-pack/…

        • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 21:33

          Thanks. I'll look into it….doesn't appear if they are providing free calls within network.

        • chinezejew on 07/01/2017 - 21:58

          @s0805:

          Whatsapp calls.
          Data only

        • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 22:08

          @chinezejew: are you suggesting whatsapp call within the network rather than looking for free network calls? with 2c a MB is it cheap you reckon? Not sure how much data it uses during whatsapp calls

        • chinezejew on 07/01/2017 - 22:16

          @s0805:

          U may be after a full packaged deal that may be too good to be true.

          If u need to cheap out,
          This method may be tested without much downside.

          Send short voice txts over whatsapp.

          If you need to cheapcheap… you give up on some convenience.

          Or… buy $30+ starter packs from all service providers.
          Flip companies on the 27th day (ensure business day).

        • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 22:19

          @chinezejew: Agree will need to settle with some combination rather than full packaged deal. Thanks for your help…

        • chinezejew on 07/01/2017 - 22:25

          @s0805:

          Id go the starter sim method.
          And sim flip each month.

          13 or 14 times a yr.
          Can get starter sims from $0.50.

  • razorack999 on 07/01/2017 - 21:28

    calls to india? Can they be on a land line or do they have to be on your mobile?

    • s0805 on 07/01/2017 - 21:32

      Mobile is preferred but landline can do as well i guess…But just so you know rest of the other requirements are more important than call rates to india…

      • amkssg on 07/01/2017 - 23:55

        Have you ever considered doing this.

        Have everyone be on the same network to be able to call each other for free.

        Have a separate mobile at home, which is shared by everyone, and is used solely for calling India.

        This way, you can find plans with cheap local calls (without worrying about India). And a prepaid service that gives cheap calls to India, and used solely for this purpose.

        • s0805 on 08/01/2017 - 07:29

          Yes…that could work as well and that's why I believe calling to India is the last criteria from this list.

          even keeping first 3 criteria in mind (free network calls, long expiry, data limit) are there any other options apart from virgin & lebara. I guess free network calls can be substituted by using data limit on whatsapp/skype (not sure how much it uses though).

          thanks

  • HeWhoKnows on 08/01/2017 - 09:01

    Try LycaMobile. They are the specialists in cheap overseas calls

    • s0805 on 08/01/2017 - 09:06

      That's a good option to have seperate SIM just for calling overseas. So can focus on finding the better deal for local/national calls & data on prepaid…

  • HeWhoKnows on 08/01/2017 - 09:09

    LycaMobile unlimited S plan is what you want. Unlimited local calls and to India as well! Plus 6GB data only $29.90pm

    • s0805 on 08/01/2017 - 09:18

      unfortunately not in budget plus 28 days expiry. Looking for much cheaper option infact and possible long expiry with reasonable data. I am thinking buying lycra/Lebara for overseas call and 2nd plan focusing on local/national might be better bet to achieve all criteria. I think they already have one mobile with multiple sim facility….

      • HeWhoKnows on 10/01/2017 - 19:51

        I think you might be stretching it a bit. I found Kogan mobile Small plan ON SPECIAL current $126 for the entire year gets you unlimited calls in Australia plus 1GB data per month. Works out at $10.36 per month over the 12 months. You need to get cracking through. You only got till end of this month to grab this deal. Then you just sort out your O/S calls maybe using a phone card as these seem to give the best rates.

        • s0805 on 10/01/2017 - 21:48

          Thanks for that. I will review that. Thinking it would be best to see what the usage would be for few months before committing on for a year. That looks a good deal though.

        • HeWhoKnows on 12/01/2017 - 12:39

          @s0805: Up to you. Usual price is about $16.80 per month.

        • s0805 on 12/01/2017 - 12:45

          @Amayzingone:
          thanks. I end up buying lebara. Bought 2 with Save plan and 1 with Mini mega plan with 2nd month free. I guess once the usage becomes bit clear wouldn't mind committing for longer. Many thanks for your help.

  • s0805 on 10/01/2017 - 21:50

    Any idea what network lebara is using (Telstra/Optus). They have 2nd month free offer going on some plans currently which seems good…I guess you can always downgrade the plan after free month expires….

    • HeWhoKnows on 12/01/2017 - 12:40

      They were using Vodafone. Now the #2 network. Have left Optus miles behind

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