Telstra has announced new 'one-size-fits-all-countries' global roaming data packs that can be used in about 50 countries around the world.
The new plans offer slabs of data for a flat fee, which customers add-on to their accounts before travelling overseas. The packs last for 30-days and can be used in a number of different countries.
They are not cheaper, despite Telstra's best efforts to sell them as much. 150MB of data will set you back $29, while 1.5GB of data costs a massive $350. Telstra says it has 'cut the cost of roaming by up to 80-percent' but this cut brings the pay-as-you-go roaming data rate from a mind-boggling $15 per MB to a still expensive $3 per MB.
- $29 for 100MB to use over 30 days
- $85 for 300MB to use over 30 days
- $160 for 600MB to use over 30 days
- $350 for 1.5 GB to use over 30 days
Pros and cons
The major selling point of these new plans is their reach. Covering 50 countries including all major transport hubs (airports where we typically stop-over) is a great thing. Next to Vodafone's Roam Like Home plans, which cover only 3 locations (US, UK and New Zealand), the Telstra deal is pretty sweet.
But this is where the favourable comparisons stop. Optus charge $0.50 or $1 per MB depending on whether you are travelling in popular destinations in Zone 1, or more exotic destinations in Zone 2.
Vodafone's Roam Like Home deal is still best by far, if you are in the 3 designated regions, with a $5 flat rate to use the data you get each month as part of your plan. This could still add up to $150 a month if you used your phone everyday, except you could use multiple GBs rather than 600MB Telstra would give you for about the same price.
If you're not travelling to the US, UK or NZ, the Vodafone's roaming data rates actually look a lot like Telstra's. If you'd prefer to dodge this hornet's nest all together you should check out our guide to avoiding bill shock overseas.
Joseph Hanlon
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