Keeping Basic AU Phone Number Functionality While Overseas for Extended Period?

Ljasonh on 28/06/2023 - 12:09

So I'm going overseas for an extended period (5 or so months) in a few months and I was hoping to find the best way to solve my problem. Basically I'm going to get a local SIM once I arrive overseas, but I'd like to keep an Australian SIM in my phone (Dual SIM so it's fine). Mostly I'll need it for receiving text messages, but it'd be nice to make the occasional call too.

I have a current Telstra postpaid plan I was planning to hop off of for something cheaper (also as a way to refresh my eligibility for the next JB Hifi deal lol) so I was planning to move my number to something like an Amaysim. I'd keep my number on the cheapest possible plan while I was away since I won't need anything like data / international calls / etc.

The only problem would be how I could access my number while overseas (or most importantly, receive the texts that go to it since I can call on other platforms) without forking over some exorbitant daily roaming fee.

I had a poke around the wiki, and the AusPost International Roaming Plan seems like what I need, but I don't think they support transferring your own number in? And I'm not sure about the costs / possibility of forwarding texts to that number?

Anyone have any good ideas on how to tackle this / solutions that worked for them in similar situations? Thanks everyone!

Travel

Comments

  • Sawtell on 28/06/2023 - 12:49
    +2

    Aldi Mobile. PAYG with 365 day expiry and international roaming activated.

    • scrimshaw on 28/06/2023 - 13:41

      Note that with ALDI, the old trick where you can buy a $5 SIM and have it valid for 1 year has been patched out. You now have to top it up once to have a longer 365 day expiry

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/777628

      amaysim may be a cheaper option now ($10 for 365 days)

  • trex on 28/06/2023 - 13:06
    +1

    Receiving text message on Telstra while overseas will not trigger international day pass. As long as you don’t make any calls, use international data roaming or send text message while overseas, there should be no additional charges.

  • upended on 28/06/2023 - 14:52

    Wi-Fi calling - make sure this is enabled if you decide to stick with Telstra. You can receive and send text messages, and make and receive calls as long as you are on Wi-Fi.

    • FirstWizard on 28/06/2023 - 16:55

      Also, I was overseas last month, Boost (i.e. Telstra) SIM on my Google Pixel 7 Pro failed to connect to wifi calling while roaming but worked well on my backup phone, which is an old Samsung Note. It was the first time I've been overseas since I got the Pixel phone.

      Later after some research found out that Telstra sends a sneaky patch when connected to the network which makes the wifi-calling while roaming button disappear. There's a 3rd party app that can enable this, but that app might not be for everyone.

  • Davo1111 on 28/06/2023 - 16:00

    port your number to aldi or voda 365.put your local sim in an iold phone. set up sms—>email app. disable battery saver, setup autostart etc set to silenmt, no vibrate

    Give to friend with pin (so when andreoid disables the settings, they can change/.powercycle

  • FirstWizard on 28/06/2023 - 16:57

    I use a standalone Lebara esim on my Samsung watch, which is $5 for sim + $10/yr on their PAYG plan (this plan was not advertised on the website when I bought it, and still not there. But was selectable on their app.)

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