Vodafone Roaming Help. How Does The Phone Get Treated Whilst Overseas?

ATangk on 16/05/2017 - 20:36

Hi all,

I'll be going to the US for about a week, and I checked the price of SIM cards in the US and were shocked by the price. In comparison, the $5 roaming option from Vodafone seems to be the go at this point, given my short trip duration and it's hassle free. (And don't need to pay AUD to USD or taxes)

My question is, how does my phone interact whilst I'm overseas. The roaming says that I can use it as if I were at home, so calls and texts to and from are standard rate (unlimited in my case).

How about calls from native US numbers. Are they charged standard calls or does it count as international. From my knowledge, my phone number will be +61 400 000 000 in that format, but will be it a standard national call for them since the phone is currently in the states?

I assume calling other US phone numbers whilst in the US will be free in my situation, but if someone could confirm my understanding of the roaming that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

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Comments

  • captobvious on 16/05/2017 - 22:24

    It gets treated with an xray upon departure

    • ATangk on 16/05/2017 - 22:25

      I though they asked it whether it was carrying any drugs or prohibited items, and then strip search it anyways.

  • retiredfeline on 16/05/2017 - 22:25
    -2

    No it's not free, it's shockingly expensive. Read the Critical Summary for the charges. The only thing that's free is incoming SMS.

    • ATangk on 16/05/2017 - 22:29

      "How are calls within the country where you’re roaming charged?
      If your plan includes infinite standard national minutes, you can use these to call standard numbers within the country you are in."

      from Vodafone Support Page

      • retiredfeline on 16/05/2017 - 22:36

        Sorry I thought you were asking about roaming in general. Looks like you've found the info you need.

        • ATangk on 16/05/2017 - 22:48

          Actually Im asking about local calls (US phones) calling my phone whilst im in roaming. Im not too sure about how that works.

        • retiredfeline on 16/05/2017 - 23:50
          -4

          @ATangk: I saw a page explaining​ that. I'm sure you can find it too​.

  • John Kimble on 16/05/2017 - 22:35

    How Does The Phone Get Treated Whilst Overseas?

    With a level of xenophobia dependent on the country it's in.

  • Gunther on 16/05/2017 - 22:42

    USD$45/month (AUD$60) for 6GB with unlimited calls/text in the USA/Canada/Mexico with AT&T + international text. Shapes to 128kbps after data used up as a bonus.

    https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/gophone-plans.html

    Not too bad compared to AUD$5/day.

    • ATangk on 16/05/2017 - 22:49
      +1

      Im only going for 7 days, so its $35 AUD. Ill lose the ability to call home for free though. If i were staying any longer, I'd have jumped onto a local sim.

      • John Kimble on 16/05/2017 - 22:54

        Can't you call using whatsapp/Skype etc? Or do you not want to use data?

        • ATangk on 16/05/2017 - 22:57
          +1

          They're just bonuses. I have plenty of data on my current plan anyways, and US charges tax on top of the $45 prepaid. On top of that, the sim card isn't included, so you have to pay again for that (not much though). But most of all is the convenience. If I have to fumble and buy a sim card in the US, between their fingerprint scanning border security to driving on the wrong side of the road, Id rather just use roaming.

        • jjjaar on 17/05/2017 - 08:07

          @ATangk: I've gotten sims in the us on two occasions (and been with others when they've gotten theirs) and it was very hassle free. Just walked in and bought it like buying a piece of clothing. I wasn't charged extra for the sim and want asked for ID or personal details.

          Granted this was a few years back so things may have changed. But it definitely wasn't a big deal.

        • Gunther on 17/05/2017 - 15:07

          @ATangk: Tax is usually around 4-5%, purchase in Oregon and there is no tax! SIM was also free for me. I think there is a cost if you try and buy online.

  • YellowEarthAustralia on 16/05/2017 - 23:09
    +2

    Calls from local US numbers to your number would be charged as an international phone call as they need to dial your australian number +614XXXXXXX

    All you pay is $5 extra on top of your plan each day you use the service and you can continue on using your plan's inclusion as if you were in Australia

    • ATangk on 16/05/2017 - 23:11

      Thanks for giving the answer I was looking for.

  • modsec802 on 17/05/2017 - 05:50

    I do this all the time for work in the US and love the $5 per day roaming. I even switched to Voda just for this.

    People in the US will need to call your Aussie number. Often their plans include international minutes (for calling Mexico for example) so they won't mind. Uber drivers are mostly fine if they need to call me.

  • teacherer on 17/05/2017 - 06:46
    +1

    I worked at Vodafone.
    You have access to your entire plan with that $5 24 hr period.
    From your first phone usage, it will start a 24hr time period in which you can use it all without another charge. After that, another $5.
    Theres something like 50 countries this works in
    In other countries it is expensive.
    The us is fine
    Calls and texts home and in the roaming country will be treated as domestic
    Data will be another $10 per gig if you exceed your limit

  • tadafomo on 17/05/2017 - 14:50
    -1

    If you have free international calls included in your Vodafone plan such as super 1000 countries or 300 min,then your USA local calls will be treated as if you are calling from Australia to USA , ie FREE for 1000 or 300 mins, your calls to Australia from USA will be free as well if you got unlimited local calls in your plan

    • modsec802 on 17/05/2017 - 14:57

      WRONG

      If your plan includes infinite standard national minutes, you can use these to call standard numbers within the country you are in.

      On other eligible plans, calls to standard numbers within the country you’re in come out of your plan’s included value at the same rate as if you were calling a standard number within Australia.

      Source: http://vodafone.intelliresponse.com/index.jsp?requestType=No…

    • teacherer on 17/05/2017 - 16:25

      Why spread misinformation?

      • tadafomo on 17/05/2017 - 18:35

        sorry my mistake, either way if OP has unlimited call plan with vodafone and $5 roaming, he wouldn't be charged for calls within USA or calls to Australia, its all free. I've been using $5 roaming for a while in USA now and never got charged apart from $5 per day

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