Hi Folks Trying to decide what to do about a mobile phone while out in Sydney. Should I just buy an Aussie phone as soon as I get out to Sydney, or is it possible to take my UK phone and simply buy an Australian network Pay as you go sim card (say from ebay) and use that. Really I could do without having to buy a new phone, but if needs be then I can buy a cheap one. Also, what are the recommended networks in Australia?? I text more than call so thus may be important in choosing a phone. Thanks
Since you Pommie gits use the same GSM network as us, a SIM card only will suffice. We have Vodafone, Telstra, Optus and 3. The most comprehensive network coverage is provided by Telstra, followed by Optus, Vodafone then 3. You can but pre-paid SIMS and recharges at newsagencies, service stations, supermarkets etc. Hope this helps.
If your handset is provided by your local network supplier in the UK, it is often 'locked' and some features like SMS will not function. You can try to get them to unlock it or pay a small fee to some internet service providers who will give you an unlocking code. If it is an unlocked unit, it should function almost everywhere except Japan, koreaa and some parts of the USA. A 'pay as you go' card is probably the easiest solution. You buy it get your new Aussie Tel. No. and call or SMS your friends or contacts with it. Another alternative is to buy a cheap second hand handset whilst in Oz. Hope that helps.
I will definitely look into the sim card only thing when I get to Australia. I will ask about unlocking the phone as it is a UK supplied unit. I can also use internet sites to send messages though which will help.
They change all the time. Try typing unlocking Nokia phones (or whatever brand you have) although once you arrive at a site they usually have several brands supported.
