Telstra $10 post-paid for Iridium no more

[AdrianLR]

I've had a $10 Telstra post-paid casual plan for years for an Iridium phone. From 22 November, Telstra will replace the $10 plan with a $20 version that has more inclusions but these can't be used on the satphone. No cheaper options than $20.

Is there a prepaid satphone provider that has expensive calls but allows the service to stay live for 12 months for around $120? The convenience of having an active satphone is good for the unplanned trips but not worth $240 a year to me.

[Darcy7]

We bought an Imarsat phone that has a pay as you go option.  You buy the phone and have a phone number and account registered, no ongoing fees.  Then pay into the account when you need it.

I think you can now make calls to 000 without any money in the account but this is of little use in the outback.  You really need to be able to call the RFDS or AMSA. The phone is able to transmit your GPS location to the receiver of the call.

[GeoffA]

Hi Adrian,

We don't bother with a dedicated chip for the sat phone.
My lovely and I are both on plans with Telstra.
I switch the chip from my phone into the Iridium when needed.

 
Geoff

[wakychapmans]

the other option (that we're considering) is a "Satsleeve".

As it sounds, it's a SATphone sleeve that converts your smartphone into satphone enabled device. SMS, voice and data are all available.

for emergency use only... it's seemed decent to me.

it was something like $15 a month + $99 for the actual "sleeve" last time I looked.

[Bad Scott]

Hi Adrian,

We don't bother with a dedicated chip for the sat phone.
My lovely and I are both on plans with Telstra.
I switch the chip from my phone into the Iridium when needed.

 
Geoff

X 2. Just activate international roaming

[achjimmy]

the other option (that we're considering) is a "Satsleeve".

As it sounds, it's a SATphone sleeve that converts your smartphone into satphone enabled device. SMS, voice and data are all available.

for emergency use only... it's seemed decent to me.

it was something like $15 a month + $99 for the actual "sleeve" last time I looked.

I think the sat sleeve was pretty ordinary here especially in the south.

[jr]

Heard that too, re sat sleeve sattelites are laced nearer to equator
Swapping sims used to be ok, some new versions this doesnt work, also need adapters for new micro sims and getting one out of an iphone isnt a bush freindly task
Best i can find is $35/mth post paid

[Wortho]

Have used these guys before but works out to be expensive for 12 months. If we do a big remote trip I would probably use them again. Last time was 10,000km trip across southern Africa.
http://www.trtelecom.com.au/satellite-phone-calls

You are also supposed to to be able to dial the international emergency number 112 without a sim installed in the phone but I've never been game to try this 

[S.W]

I've had a $10 Telstra post-paid casual plan for years for an Iridium phone. From 22 November, Telstra will replace the $10 plan with a $20 version that has more inclusions but these can't be used on the satphone. No cheaper options than $20.

Is there a prepaid satphone provider that has expensive calls but allows the service to stay live for 12 months for around $120? The convenience of having an active satphone is good for the unplanned trips but not worth $240 a year to me.

How did you find out?
I've got the $10 plan that i use in my satphone and have had no notification.

[AdrianLR]

How did you find out?
I've got the $10 plan that i use in my satphone and have had no notification.

Telstra sent me a letter dated 30/9

[D4D]

Telstra sent me a letter dated 30/9

X2

[AdrianLR]

Swapping sims used to be ok, some new versions this doesnt work, also need adapters for new micro sims and getting one out of an iphone isnt a bush freindly task
Best i can find is $35/mth post paid

We both have iPhones so agree completely about it being a fiddly process. My other concern is people calling and sending texts that I will end up paying for. A separate sim is a better option in my case.

Thanks everyone for suggestions. No urgency so will think about it some more.

[S.W]

Telstra sent me a letter dated 30/9

Thanks. I guess mine's still in the mail.

Will have to reassess my options.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Supersi]

Telstra signed us up on a $10 casual business plan 10 days ago.

[jetcrew]

Bugger off the satsleeve idea IMHO..mate spent $1000 on it for our fishing trip and the thing nebver found a sattellite , my teslstra mobile found one each night around 11pm but the sat sleeve was a massive FAIL IMHO . get a dedicated sat phone that does not rely on apps and other tech just to function.

jet

[S.W]

While we're on the topic, does anyone know if Telstra disable the option to send SMS from the satphone when using their SIM?

My phone is a Motorola 9505 and as a note for Outgoing Messages the book says "This feature is network and subscription dependent. It must be activated by your service provider." Since I don't have the Outgoing Messages option in the menu on the phone, I assumed Telstra disables it but I'd appreciate if someone can confirm.

Otherwise, rather than stepping up to Telstra's alternative offer of their next cheapest plan at $20/month, it might be worth going to Pivotel at $22/month to have the messaging capability. Being able to send an "It's all good" message from the middle of nowhere would be handy.

Cheers

[AdrianLR]

While we're on the topic, does anyone know if Telstra disable the option to send SMS from the satphone when using their SIM?

My phone is a Motorola 9505 and as a note for Outgoing Messages the book says "This feature is network and subscription dependent. It must be activated by your service provider." Since I don't have the Outgoing Messages option in the menu on the phone, I assumed Telstra disables it but I'd appreciate if someone can confirm.

Otherwise, rather than stepping up to Telstra's alternative offer of their next cheapest plan at $20/month, it might be worth going to Pivotel at $22/month to have the messaging capability. Being able to send an "It's all good" message from the middle of nowhere would be handy.

Cheers

I thought the difference between the 9505 and the 9505a was the ability to send sms's as well as receive them. I had a 9505a prior to the 9555 using the $10 Telstra SIM and it work both ways.

[AdrianLR]

Telstra signed us up on a $10 casual business plan 10 days ago.

That's interesting. I'll make a few more calls or better still go into a few larger Telstra shops in Melbourne until I find a knowledgable assistant.

[Kelvo]

We bought an Imarsat phone that has a pay as you go option.  You buy the phone and have a phone number and account registered, no ongoing fees.  Then pay into the account when you need it.

I think you can now make calls to 000 without any money in the account but this is of little use in the outback.  You really need to be able to call the RFDS or AMSA. The phone is able to transmit your GPS location to the receiver of the call.

I went the Inmarsat route as well. Using prepay it only costs $1usd per minute for a call, and 0.50us cents for a text/simple email.

Incoming calls are dear for the person calling you, but they can send a free text/simple email via the Inmarsat website. I only turn the phone on once at camp or if I need to make a call so will get their message then and can call them if required.

The GPS function is good as you can send your GPS co-ords via a text/simple email, a bit like you can with the Spot device but without the live tracking.

[Bad Scott]

That's interesting. I'll make a few more calls or better still go into a few larger Telstra shops in Melbourne until I find a knowledgable assistant.

Good luck finding a knowledgeable assistant @ Telstra.  I'm able to send SMS and it saves them to the sim when you put It back in mobile.

[jetcrew]

Iridium says that calls from fixed lines to the sat phone are charged to the caller at normal mobile rates ...this sounds too good to be true ..I text someone for $1 and they call me back in bush I pay nothing and they pay normal mobile rates on their end ...have I got this right or is there a big elephant i cant see.

18 Y/o will be staying home for the 4 mths ALONE ...I know I,m crazy but he;s to scared to play up ..I might do a boxing session with him before we leave just to remind him of why he should behave 

anyway so Lara wants to be able to touch base and I agree so if this is true I can buy an iridium capable of text on a basic plan then text him at home $1 off my sat phone account and then he calls us back from home phone and it just charges as a normal mobile call.

Jet ... jezz i,ve become suspicious of phone plans ..

[Patr80l]

Iridium says that calls from fixed lines to the sat phone are charged to the caller at normal mobile rates ...this sounds too good to be true ..I text someone for $1 and they call me back in bush I pay nothing and they pay normal mobile rates on their end ...have I got this right or is there a big elephant i cant see.

18 Y/o will be staying home for the 4 mths ALONE ...I know I,m crazy but he;s to scared to play up ..I might do a boxing session with him before we leave just to remind him of why he should behave 

anyway so Lara wants to be able to touch base and I agree so if this is true I can buy an iridium capable of text on a basic plan then text him at home $1 off my sat phone account and then he calls us back from home phone and it just charges as a normal mobile call.

Jet ... jezz i,ve become suspicious of phone plans ..

I use my iPhone GSM SIM in my Iridium 9555.   Yes, callers to my mobile number 0418 xxx xxx are charged normal mobile rates.   The elephant is that I also get charged $2 per 30 secs for these incoming calls.   It's still cheaper than a dedicated SIM.    Rather than $10 per month, or $120 per year, I might pay $30 or $40 for a few calls while travelling once per year, or not.
If I go overseas I think I'll get a pre-paid Iridium card as the cost per minute using Telstra's satellite via GSM SIM system is quite a lot higher if used overseas.

[Supersi]

That's interesting. I'll make a few more calls or better still go into a few larger Telstra shops in Melbourne until I find a knowledgable assistant.

Well as I found out the hard way there are Telstra shops and shops with a Telstra sign up that you think are the real deal - but aren't. Telstra franchise shops don't offer the $10 plan (I think they start at the $25), you need to find a real Telstra owned Telstra shop or do it online. You might get lucky and find a franchise shop that will sell a $10 plan but it may take some searching. The $10 casual plan is still advertised on the web, always a good way to remind the Telstar employee that says they aren't.

[jr]

Can anyone confirm $10 casual plan SIM work in sat phone
Pretty sure pre paids wont

Cant see $10 on telstra site .......well hidden

[Supersi]

Can anyone confirm $10 casual plan SIM work in sat phone
Pretty sure pre paids wont

Cant see $10 on telstra site .......well hidden

Yes, $10 casual plan (meaning post paid) does work

Pre paid sims will not work

Details on the $10 casual plan are on the web here; https://www.telstra.com.au/help/download/document/personal-critical-information-summary-mobile-casual-10.pdf