thnx4allthefish

Hi,

I asked the question of Telstra whether I could connect my exisiting mobile phone on a monthly plan by only purchasing a SIM card. It points out a few things that might be worth considering. Heres their reply -

Although an item of communication equipment may be safe to operate in
another country, it is
not necessarily safe to operate that equipment in Australia.
Characteristics such as the
voltage of the power supply and its operational frequencies must meet
Australian standards
and safety requirements, as well as Telstra's network compatibility
standards, before we can
guarantee and support its use on the Telstra network.

If you are bringing communication equipment into Australia it can only
operate in accordance
with Australian rules and regulations. Improper operation of equipment
such as mobile phones
and computers may cause interference with radio communications or even
endanger your health
and the safety of others.

If you are planning to operate communication equipment in Australia
that was originally
purchased in another country, it will generally need to be tested by a
test house (in
Australia) in order to find out if it meets Australian regulatory
requirements.

You will have to obtain a certificate from the Australian supplier of
your equipment that
verifies your mobile phone, or other communication device, is identical
to an Australian
version and also grants you permission to use the supplier's permit
number.

Please note, the cost of obtaining the certificate is yours. You will
then be required to
take the phone and the certificate to a Telstra Dealer and they will
assist in your
application.

Unfortunately, without verification that the equipment meets Australian
and Telstra
standards, Telstra is unable to provide you with any future technical
support you may
require arising from the use of this equipment.

In relation to connecting to Telstra mobile, there is a requirement to
pass a 100 point ID
check. Below is the information on how to pass that check;

Primary I/D Points

Australian Passport (with photo and signature) 70

Australian Drivers License or Learners Permit with photo and
signature(WA Drivers license
accepted) 60

Police/Defence Force ID with photo 60

Credit Card (with photo and signature) 50

Blind Citizens Australia Identity Card (with photo and signature)
50
Citizenship Certificate 40

Shooters License (with Photo and signature) 60

International Passport - Date of Visa must expire beyond the contract
term.
30

Birth Certificate or Original Birth Extract, (need Marriage Certificate
if name changed
through marriage) 40

The credit assessment is performed at the dealer on request for
connection to Telstra
MobileNet.
We suggest you take the ID requirements to the dealer and they will
advise if you pass the
credit assessment. If you do not pass perhaps you would consider going
to pre paid. After a
approximately 6 months, building an Australian credit history, you
would then be able to
transfer over to a post paid account.

This link will refer you to the pre paid option offered by Telstra,
commhttp://www.communic8.com.au/

The link below will take you to the plans offered, at present, by
Telstra,
http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/mob...ices/plans.htm

jezzy

just buy the sim card and stick it in!

thnx4allthefish

I would absolutely do that, but as far as I know mine won't work with a prepaid SIM, so I'm presuming I need a contract, hence my initial question to Telstra.

I anyone knows of a way round it, or a different mobile company to use, please let me know.

Andy

Rosy

We brought our Nokia 3210`s out here - just bought some Optus pre-paid vouchers - both work fine...

DON`T LEAVE YOUR PHONES BEHIND - they cost a fortune here!!!

Don`t go with Telstra - they`ll try and sign you up to a yearly contract, and there`s really no need. Our UK phones work fine on the Optus system.

Florida_03

If you don't mind 24 month contracts you can get the latest handsets for FREE...on various plans.

So tell us Rosy...the exact amounts related to the fortune you speak of???

Rosy

Hello Florrie, dear friend...

Depends on what you want... Glanced at the prices in the phone shop two days ago when I went to purchase some new batteries for ours - you could pay $250 for a pretty basic phone, or $2000 for one which will allow you to view the recipient of your call in the bath....

Florida_03

Hi sweetie...$2000 wow it would have to draw the bath for that...

poggle

Hi

we had pre-paid one 2 one/t mobile in uk, Nokia phones, got them 'chipped' to receive any sim card while still in uk, and put in pre-paid optus cards on arrival in Melbourne, no problem! works perfectly!

Cheers!

edwin

I bought a pre-paid phone (siemens a-40) with AUD$ 100 on it and i paid 130 for it..so not that expensive :-)

mashiraz

Hello,

Got my phone unlocked yesterday, going to give my UK SIM card to a relative as it is no longer tied into a contract.

So what do I do when I get there? Do I get a SIM card, or does that come with a contract?

What's a prepaid optus card?

How does it all work? (and don't say you talk in one end and listen in the other and as if by magic you can hear people speaking, cus I know that!)

Cheers
Mash...

PS 15 days to go !!!

james & bev

and does anyone know the best deal per minute mobile to the UK from aus??

thanks James

walaj

If your current mobile won't work with a prepay SIM, it won't work with a contract SIM. I'm presuming you are saying it won't work because the phone is "locked". If this this applies to any SIM that isn't from the original network vendor, and is done to help the network have a better chance of recouping the subsidy on the phone.

If it isn't locked, or you get it unlocked, then there is no reason that a Telstra SIM wouldn't work in it.

And Telstra saying that you need to get the phone tested to ensure it meets their standards is a bit rich, given that all networks will bite your hand off if that is whats required to get your roaming business - they don't care about the phone as long as it is a standard GSM terminal.

[and if you still have your mobile phone manual, you can probably check to see if it is already ratified for oz.]


walaj

SteveBannister

Calm down, rub my avatar. 'Don't Panic!' Take your phone with you, go into a shop and ask. That's what I'm going to do. If I can use it, great. If I can't, so what. There are many more important things to worry about, like, "Are you sure the landing gear is OK?"

yafm

I have been into a site a little while ago - can't remember the name but I am sure a google search would find it where they will unlock all telephoned for a very small charge In some cases they can actually unlock it without it being sent to them - by instructions/message over the computer line other phones send to them with the money and they do it in 3 days.

terryg

http://www.unlockingmobiles.co.uk/remote.htm