Telstra announces roaming rate rise just before Christmas
Those planning an international trip these holidays might be the first wave of Telstra customers to be stung with high roaming rates, thanks to an early Christmas announcement from Australia’s biggest phone and internet provider.
Telstra’s International Travel Pass allows customers travelling abroad to use their phone with set data allowances that covers most of the world. But in an early festive message, the provider has announced it will change the terms of these passes.
Customers will now pay excess data charges tripling the original rate. What’s more, Australians going to popular holiday destinations may be forced to pay hundreds of dollars more per month.
For instance, travellers to the United Kingdom and United States will be hit with a $450 per month bill to use the International Travel Pass- $150 more than the previous cost.
If you’re guilty of checking your apps too often and eating into precious data, you’ll be in the risk zone too. The cost of going over the data limit has been tripled from 3 cents per megabyte to 10 cents per megabyte, which, if you’re a social media fan could certainly add up in no time. One positive of the rate change is that customers will receive more data in their pack.
Jef Ong, CEO of Flexiroam, an app that allows users to purchase overseas phone numbers to avoid roaming charges, says roaming is one of the biggest hassles for Aussies abroad. “Why should consumers be held hostage and pay the increasingly high rates to roam, as the world globalises and budget travel increase, especially as these fees are mainly for commercial purposes?” he asks.
The solution? Switch your roaming off when you’re not using it, or buy a local sim card when you land. “The next best thing is just to stick to Wi-Fi, only access your mobile services when you are in the vicinity of free Wi-Fi,” says Ong, who also advocates the use of a travel app like Flexiroam that allows you to purchase overseas numbers from your device.
Customers took a similar stance, taking to Telstra’s website comment section to voice their frustration. “Good thing my contract ends this month,” said one disgruntled customer. “I’m done with Telstra.”
Tell us: Would Telstra’s announcement make you reconsider using an Australian phone provider while travelling overseas?
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