Australia’s a prime place to visit for the English-speaking traveller. Many people are won over by the fact that they won’t have to learn a new language to go somewhere exotic. But while an English speaker will have no trouble communicating in Australia, sadly their phones will not be so lucky. If you don’t want to be cut off from all communication while you’re basking on those famous Australian beaches, then you’re going to need to deck out your cell phone with something called a travel SIM card.
So how and why should you incorporate a travel SIM card into your Australian holiday package?
Swapping out your phone’s SIM card will allow you to use data and access the internet while you’re in Australia. This makes staying in contact with friends and family (and new Australian buddies) not only doable but easy.
Local Australian SIMS’s
As a foreigner, you will be allowed to purchase a SIM card and a prepaid data plan from an Australian mobile provider. This will hook you up with an Australian phone number and access to whichever local network you choose.
You’ll be bombarded with SIM card choices the second your plane lands. Stores in Australian international airports are absolutely lousy with them. But for the sake of your wallet, you may want to wait until you leave the airport to purchase a SIM card (airport price hikes and all).
Since you’ll need to purchase your local SIM and its data after arriving in Australia, you won’t be able to give people back home your new phone number before you leave. They’ll have to wait for you to contact them.
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone are the three major networks in Australia. Because of the need for good coverage throughout Australia’s remote terrain, you’ll want to stay on one of these three networks for viable service. Smaller network operators (who don’t have networks of their own, but actually offer services through the three major Australian networks already mentioned) can give you much better price deals but at the cost of services like the international calling. And a local SIM with no international calling is nearly useless to a tourist.
Of the three networks, Telstra is the largest and has the best regional coverage, but that does show in their prices. You’ll pay a bit of a premium for data through Telstra. Optus is considered second best for regional coverage, but Vodafone is expanding like crazy right now, so you’ll likely get decent coverage through them, too.
Global SIM cards
There are also travel SIM cards meant specifically for globe-trotting. Australia is covered by any company that sells global SIM’s, so you have a lot of options if you go this route.
A global SIM card will work in all major areas of the world, so you can keep it handy for any other trips you might take. There’s also no hassle with dashing around in foreign grocery stores searching for prepaid cards to get more data. You can refill data on a global SIM through your online account anytime, anywhere.
Global SIM cards are more of an investment. They don’t cost much more than a local SIM and people who love to travel will save a lot of money using them. Receiving phone calls from back home is also much cheaper on a global SIM. If your friends or family call you on your local SIM card, it will be the same price as making any other long distance phone call to Australia.
Since there are so many global SIM companies, you have the freedom to be a bit picky about your selection. Some companies offer better deals than others. And beware of global SIM providers that sneak additional costs into your phone plan or stick you with data expiration dates. BNESIM is a good choice for avoiding these hidden charges. They’ll let you save data from one trip to the next and there’s no such thing as roaming fees with their service.
So get ready for your exciting romp in the land down under! And remember that saying: Pack less clothing, more money, and an excellent travel SIM.
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