
Circles.Life is the latest smaller provider to add international roaming options to its SIM-only mobile plans. The Optus MVNO has two international roaming packs available for customers: a 1GB pack billed at $15 per day, or a 5GB pack billed at $30 per month.
These packs work in over 90 countries, which Circles calls Zone 1 destinations. These include large parts of Europe, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, China, and Japan. Talk and text aren't included, however, and are billed at pay-as-you-go rates.
Calls from Zone 1 destinations are billed at $1.50 per minute, while sending an SMS costs $0.50. Receiving an SMS is free.
Circles' $15 per day 1GB roaming pack isn't great value. Optus and Vodafone both charge $5 per day for international roaming. On Optus that buys you 5GB, while Vodafone's $5 charge lets you use your regular inclusions overseas. Even Telstra's roaming - billed at $10 per 1GB per day - is a better option.
Conversely, Circles' $30 with 5GB option could be a compelling option for overseas travellers. A whole month overseas on Optus or Vodafone roaming would cost $150. A $25 roaming pack from amaysim includes just 2GB, while Belong charges $30 for 3GB with a 14-day expiry. These options all include some talk and text, however. felix mobile has the most comparable roaming option, where customers can pay $20 for 4GB, 100 texts, and 100 minutes of talk on a one-year expiry.
With both Circles roaming packs, you'll automatically be charged for another roaming pack if you go over your allowance. Note that the 5GB roaming pack will auto-renew every month - even if you're not overseas - unless you disable it in the app.
Circles' roaming packs require an active Circles.Life SIM-only plan. Here are its current options:
Alex Choros