FYI - the $10 casual plan is still available from Telstra

Yes, that was the brochure.

While on the previous thread (sorry I can't find it but it was only a couple of weeks or so ago) some also were able to get the deal from a shop, Telstra told me it was only available by phone, so if your Telstra shop won't oblige;

"lower fees can be obtained by phoning 1800 303 302 for a below the line plan".

Don't know about lower fees, but I rang 132200 and waded through their voice-command system. The first CSR was not very helpful or obliging but eventually passed me to one who was the exact opposite. Signed up and SIM in the mail.

Will post a follow-up once I have it in the phone, activated international roaming and tested out.

BTW, was told that the $10 plan was not really for any long-term use but for transitional use between other deals/plans/offers.

OK, SIM received already activated. Stuck it in my olde iPhone and got voicemail sorted via Telstra Chat. The default is NOT how I'd operate, for me NO voicemailbox functionality whatsoever is the go. (Now if off or out-of-service-area the caller gets the RVA which says just that and "try again later", and when it rings out unanswered they get a busy signal).

Then rang their IR desk (125 109) and the CSR activated int'l roaming. She said she'd send me an SMS giving me a direct entry point to avoid the two minutes of sales talk and warning speeches etc, so I waited till that arrived before transferring the SIM to the Iridium 9505A.

Test calls (NOT answered) both ways with my regular mobile worked fine, using standard domestic dialling (i.e. NO +61). Only thing noticed was when calling TO the satphone wthere was an initial RVA saying "there will be a short delay while your call is connected".

Sweet as.

This is all on the All-Bran principle aka Applied Murphology. Now to hope we never need it.

To receive calls costs the same as making calls....$ 4 per min.

Hi

I think the main benefit of the $10 plan is for people who only use their phone for emergencies (i.e. almost never)...and travel a fair bit. You only get slugged $10/month if you dont use the phone.

If you use the phone even just a little bit per month (or let people ring/sms you) then a "proper" sat phone plan (included calls/cheaper rates) may work out more economical.

Cheers
Greg

Sorry Dean - don't follow. Since when does the mobile network charge you to receive calls - also when making a call the Plan has 99c a minute not $4 per min.

Or have I missed something - I just skimmed the plan in the link.

Garry

Hi

With satphone (well at least when using Telstra GSM sim on $10 plan in an Iridium - my only experience) all charges go to the satphone user i.e if someone rings you - you pay, if someone sms's you - you pay. I think its the same as when you are using international roaming in another country on a normal phone (except maybe sms which sender pays).

And for satphone its definitely $4/min in 30 sec blocks i.e 1 sec cost $2.

Cheers
Greg

Yep, when using ANY Telstra post-paid SIM in an Iridium satphone, that Telstra account is validated for account purposes, and all Iridium system charges lob back on the Telstra account. (Telstra have an arrangement with Iridium). And calls etc are billed whether in or out, similar to cellphone services in USA.

The $10 plan is simply the cheapest standing cost option to get a post-paid Telstra SIM.

If you do what Phil P did - swapping your cellphone post-paid Telstra SIM into your Iridium phone when up bush, what you lose is the prospect of any cellphone cover. The $10 option simply allows you to have both operational simultaneously - if you happen to have cellphone coverage somewhere you use that for $$ reasons.

Hi Garry.

When a person calls your mobile number where your sim is in your Iridium sat phone this is what happens: the system knows that your sim is not registered on the local network, but is registered instead on the Iridium network. So the incoming call hits the Telstra gateway and the caller is charged the normal mobile phone call to you. When the incoming call hits the Telstra gateway however it "diverts" the call from the Telstra network to the Iridium network. This diversion costs about $4 per minute. On my last bill it was about $3.77 per minute.

George_M

Hi

International roaming activation can take a while (i.e a day) ...plus they don’t like new customers sometimes (no credit rating). If not activated in next day or two ring again and threaten to change to another carrier (but - don’t mention word sat-phone, could confuse them).

Cheers
Greg

Thanks Greg

I'll wait another day or two and try again. I have been avoiding the mention of sat-phone all along as not sure what the reaction would be... Will post a follow up later.

Helen

At last, it is FINALLY working! :-)

They are dead serious when they say two business days...

Thanks again
Helen

Good stuff

Happy Easter


Cheers
Greg