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Toping up UK T-mobile phone in Oz

Replies: 19 - Last Post: Feb 7, 2013 4:29 PM Last Post By: sprite

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lynnekeys

lynnekeys avatar

Jan 9, 2013 1:14 AM
Posts:  728

Toping up UK T-mobile phone in Oz

I posted this yesterday and it's disappeared off the radar (or hasn't been passed by a moderator ... why?).

I came to Australia with pre-paid credit (T-mobile network) on my UK mobile - which I thought would last the trip - but it has now expired and I can't make or receive phone calls and I can't send a text. I can, however, receive text messages. The lack of a phone is causing me problems.

I went into a phone shop here to ask about topping up my phone in Aust. but was told this was not possible; does anyone know if this IS the case and if not, how I can top up with T-mobile?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

JoyVee

JoyVee avatar

Jan 9, 2013 4:08 AM
Posts:  313

1

one suggestion is to head to either Australia Post post office or BP service station tomorrow and buy telstra AUD30 SIM card Starter Pack for AUD10. They are currently on special. The one I bought is current until 2015 which starts from time I register it.
Register on line and there you will have cheap calls. You will get a new number with each card. I believe the orange starter pack is for android phones and pink is for Iphones.
Have a look at whirlpool.net.au for further info. the service providers are telstra, widest coverage and usually most expensive, Optus and Vodaphone. Think the starter pack I have mentioned is best deal at the moment.
I think your phone won't work here because there is no reciprocal agreement with any of our phone providers. TPG. and iinet also have Sim Cards but they are internet service providers and think you have to already be a subscriber to them but I may be wrong.
Obviously you must have an unlocked phone for all of the above.
Post on tech branch for more accurate info when it is reinstated otherwise read relevant forums on Whirlpool where this is a board about how to unlock your phone. You can also become a member for free and ask questions of an extremely knowledgeable and helpful mob. JoyV.

neverwinter

neverwinter avatar

Jan 9, 2013 5:23 AM
Posts:  1,638

2

you can top it up online if you register it there.

calling with a UK phone in Australia must be costing a fortune, and t-mobile are insanely expensive anyway. If you are there much longer, get a cheap local SIM and phone .

bellart1

bellart1 avatar

Jan 9, 2013 5:40 AM
Posts:  4,595

3

#1's a good idea and every trip we make to Oz we simply buy an Aussie sim for the month we are there - usually Telstra because the coverage is better. Your UK mobile will work fine, provided it is unlocked. You CAN get it unlocked while there, but it usually costs to do this. But just get a sim and try!

Could you ask someone at home to top up your pre-paid sim for you?

JoyVee

JoyVee avatar

Jan 9, 2013 6:02 AM
Posts:  313

4

Whirlpool has instructions on how to unlock Aussie phones too. When I travel in Europe or Asia I just buy a local SIM and pop it in the phone. Texting and email are cheap alternatives too. JoyV

mhuber

mhuber avatar

Jan 9, 2013 11:39 AM
Posts:  1

5

If you cant unlock your phone / need a workaround and you have a smart phone, you can install Viber (http://viber.com/) it allows you to make free phone calls and SMS from WiFi; less than ideal but better than nothing :)

PhiMeow

PhiMeow avatar

Jan 9, 2013 4:51 PM
Posts:  2,947

6

^^ Viber is da bomb. As long as you have wifi, you can make calls and text at no additional charges. Good if you are running low on call credits or want to contact people overseas.

sneaker_fish

sneaker_fish avatar

Jan 10, 2013 2:27 AM
Posts:  32,884

7

in addition to the online top up option, can you ask someone in the uk to top it up for you? last time I travelled with a prepay I did that.

pipistrello

pipistrello avatar

Jan 11, 2013 4:32 PM
Posts:  7

8

You could buy a SIM card and use that - cheaper and easier.

lynnekeys

lynnekeys avatar

Jan 31, 2013 5:35 AM
Posts:  728

9

Thanks for all these helpful suggestions but - alas, and owing to the purge and the chaotic state of Thorn Tree - I am now back in UK and back on the phone.

Still, they might help someone else.

sprite

sprite avatar

Feb 3, 2013 11:19 PM
Posts:  12,081

10

remember that unlocking a phone usually voids the warranty.

but as i usually have cheap phones, i do get them unlocked and then get a local sim.

PhiMeow

PhiMeow avatar

Feb 4, 2013 2:35 AM
Posts:  2,947

11

remember that unlocking a phone usually voids the warranty.
AFAIK it does not. The service provider to which the phone is locked can unlock it for you, usually for a small fee.

sprite

sprite avatar

Feb 4, 2013 2:54 AM
Posts:  12,081

12

in the uk, at any rate, many providers will not unlock. and when i tried to have an unlocked phone repaired by the manufacturer, i was told it was off warranty as a result of the unlocking.

PoppyG

PoppyG avatar

Feb 4, 2013 12:19 PM
Posts:  7,781

13

Not doubting you Sprite - certainly sounds weird though.

sprite

sprite avatar

Feb 4, 2013 5:17 PM
Posts:  12,081

14

i was livid. but i checked around with a few others and it was the same. they could all be lying, but in the uk at least, providers will not unlock your phone for you, contract or PAYG.
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