chessp

Hubby and I are leaving in March for Melbourne but were wondering whether it would be better to buy a mobile phone here or when we get there? Could anyone recommend a good network provider as well?
thanks

Budgie

Buy one when you get here.

Firstly, your pounds will go further if you buy the phone here, and secondly, you can usually pick up a better deal if you buy a package of phone + SIM, rather than just the SIM card.

For example, I pay $6 a month for line rental + handset for my phone.

Companies like Digiplus (www.digiplus.com.au) often have good deals. They vary from month to month, so worth checking back if the current deal isn't right for you.

Phone reception, just like in the UK, can be patchy - but if you're in Melbourne you should be fine with either Telstra or Optus.

Bix da Boss

Yes, I agree, buy one when you get here

There are hundreds of mobile phone outlets - plenty of choice - no worries m8

ABCDiamond

BiLo have a Telstra C139 mobile phone this week for $49.50 including $10 of calls on a prepaid plan.

Kmart also have it for $49.99

Bix da Boss

Hi

Thats a very basic model ABC - nearly the same as I bought when we first arrived in OZ didn't know any better than - he he!! Have a much better one now Motorola V171, still basic but a much more stylish beautiful silver flip open design and still only paid $99, plus $10 worth free calls with pre-paid. Worth the extra $50 in my opinion!

chessp

Thanks. Hubby can get his moby there then

ABCDiamond

I'm one of those older people who JUST use a mobile phone for telephone calls, a basic one does me. It has buttons to dial, speaker to hear, and something for me to speak into Mine was one of the $99 type aswell, when nothing was cheaper! I think mine has a game on it, at least I think that's why my daughter sometimes borrows it

Heres some more prices, from: http://www.techoni.com.au/

Nokia 2650 $169.95
Nokia 3120 $179.95
Nokia 3200 $219.95
Nokia 3220 $199.95
Nokia 3230 $469.95
Nokia 5140i $299.95
Nokia 6020 $245.95
Nokia 6021 $215.95
Nokia 6030 $158.95
Nokia 6060 $229.95
Nokia 6100 $189.95
Nokia 6101 $319.98
Nokia 6101 White $319.98
Nokia 6111 Black $434.95
Nokia 6111 Pink $434.95
Nokia 6111 Silver $474.95
Nokia 616 Car Phone $560.95
Nokia 6230 $409.95
Nokia 6230i $458.68
Nokia 6610i $179.95

But........ Phone plans can be better, eg: he Nokia 6101 ($319.98 above), is available with Virgin Mobile for $15 per month over 24 months and you get $15 worth of national & international calls, text & photos per month, included. ie: $360 total including $360 worth of calls, over 2 years.

Kevhaze

If you have a phone in the UK, bring it with you just in case. We bought all of ours and we went into the Yes Optus shop and asked if a simcard would work in our phones, the lad put the card into each of our phones and 3 out of 4 worked. I can't remember everyone elses phone, but mine is a Nokia 3410. We bought sim cards for the three that worked and these sim cards allow us free calls anytime (for the first 60 days) to anyone else on Yes Optus, which was really handy for us all to keep in touch.

Hazel

rich4efc

I bought a sim free phone (Motorola V3) from these guys http://www.redmobile.com.au/Default....abid=36&List=1 when I arrived here, excellent service, I ordered online & the phione was delivered the next day! I've recommended them to friends & they have all been happy with the prices & service.

Rich

gedge

I'm flogging a couple of brand new sk65's on Ebay soon.

I'm hoping for about $100 a piece, but if you want to make me an offer?