What do I need to do?

Preparing for International Roaming

1. Check your destination for International Roaming.
2. Check that the frequency (MHz) band of your device will work in the country you are travelling to.
   Refer to your phone's user guide for the frequency (MHz) band it operates on
3. International roaming calls and data usage are not included in your standard mobile plan.
   Make sure you understand and are aware of the costs of using International Roaming voice and data services and take steps to manage your spend appropriately.

Activate International Roaming

If you are familiar and comfortable with International Roaming charges: Activate International Roaming (voice and data)

Purchase an International Roaming Voice or Data Plan for cheaper access to email, internet and international voice services.

Wait for confirmation via email advising activation of your International Roaming service. This may take up to 48 hours.

You may also wish to convert the mobile phone numbers in your phone book to international format. By doing this, your phone book can recognise calls made from these numbers and display the name you have loaded in your phone book. To convert to international format; enter +61 followed by the Australian mobile number with the first digit '0' deleted - i.e. +61428123456

Pack your mobile phone's user manual so you have an easy reference guide for phone settings and functions. For more information, please refer to your mobile phone manufacturer's website.

Links to your mobile phone manufacturer's website:

Before you board, adjust your handset settings:

1. If you wish to minimise roaming charges when using email, MMS, web browsing and other data services, turn Data Roaming functionality to OFF.
2. Adjust your email settings to “pull” mode. (Refer to your mobile phone's user guide)
3. Many mobile phones have an internal data counter which you can use to monitor your data usage as a guide.
   We suggest that you reset this data counter so you can track your usage while using International Roaming. (Refer to your mobile phone's user guide)

• Quick reference to adjust these settings on your iPhone
  To turn off push/fetch email on an iPhone:
  Step 1: Tap Settings
  Step 2: Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars
  Step 3: Tap Fetch New Data (if you can't see this option, go back one step to the main Settings page, then tap Fetch New Data)
  Step 4: Set Push to Off
  
  To reset the data counter on an iPhone:
  Step 1: Touch Settings
  Step 2: Touch General
  Step 3: Touch Usage
  Step 4: Scroll down and touch Reset Statistics.

Connecting to a local network

Turn on your phone or set up your broadband device and it will connect to a local network for you. Some phones/data devices may need to be manually ‘logged on’ to an overseas carrier network. (Refer to your mobile phone's user guide)

You can help to reduce your international roaming costs by turning Data Roaming on your phone settings to "OFF" and turning it to "ON" only when you need it.

Having trouble connecting?

International dialling formats

International dialling formats are required for every call when using International Roaming.

The '+' key required for International Roaming can be accessed by pressing and holding the '0' (zero) key on most mobiles.

If you include the appropriate international prefix whenever you save numbers in your mobile, the numbers will work both in Australia and overseas.

• To reach an Australian fixed line
  Dial [+ 61] [ Area code without leading ‘0’] [Phone number]
  EXAMPLE: to call (03) 9999 1234 from any country, dial +61 3 9999 1234
• To reach an Australian mobile
  Dial [+61] [Mobile phone number without leading ‘0’]
  EXAMPLE: to call 0499 123 456 from any country, dial +61 499 123 456
• To reach a local fixed line within an overseas country
  Dial [Local Area code] [Local Phone Number]. Dialling the local number in international format will also work.
• To reach any International fixed line phone
  Dial [+ Country code] [Area code] [Local Phone Number]
  Remember to take the leading “0” off the normal area code.
• To receive calls and messages
  Callers back in Australia can simply dial your mobile number as if you were still in Australia.
  Callers from overseas need to make an international call to you via Australia, even if you’re both in the same country, by dialling:
  [+ 61] [Mobile phone number without leading ‘0’]

Using and retrieving MessageBank® andVoice2Text

If you receive a new message, MessageBank will send you a notification SMS to let you know you have a message waiting. To retrieve messages while overseas call 101.
If you have Voice2Text and the international carrier you are roaming on has SMS capability (find out if SMS is available and how much it costs) your messages will be sent to you via Voice2Text.

If you have a post-paid mobile you can also:

• Press # 1 0 1 # then press the Send/Call key to receive a call back from MessageBank.
• Reply to the SMS message by pressing M to receive a call back from MessageBank.

International Roaming data usage information

At the moment, real-time data usage information for International Roaming is not available. Many mobile phones have an internal data counter which you can use to monitor your usage as a guide although we cannot guarantee its accuracy. My Data Usage Meter shows domestic data usage only and is unsuitable as an indicator of International Roaming usage. For information specific to your mobile phone, please refer to your mobile phone's user guide.

• Quick reference to adjust these settings on your iPhone™
  To reset the internal data counter on your iPhone:
  Step 1: Touch Settings
  Step 2: Touch General
  Step 3: Touch Usage
  Step 4: Scroll down and touch Reset Statistics.

Use of Wi-Fi networks instead of mobile data service

In many international destinations, publically-accessible Wi-Fi networks may be available in airports, hotels, restaurants and cafes. Your smartphone may be able to use these Wi-Fi networks instead of the cellular data service to check emails and use other data applications. The local Wi-Fi operator may apply their own usage or access charges, so please check locally.

Language Settings

If you want to use a SIM obtained from a local carrier while travelling in a non-English speaking country, you may need to manually set the language to English (Refer to your mobile phone's user guide).

Here are some handy hints on what you should do once you return to Australia.

1. When you arrive back, make sure to change the Band Selection or Network Mode setting on your device back to 'Automatic'.
2. Re-adjust settings by changing the PULL email setting to PUSH so that your emails start automatically downloading again (Refer to your mobile phone's user guide).
3. International Roaming can remain ‘ON’ on your mobile service. There is no charge for leaving International Roaming activated. You are only charged for usage when you are travelling.
4. For bill notification, charges for your International Roaming service may take up to 3 months to appear on your bill.
5. If you're not going to travel overseas for a while, you might want to cancel your monthly Data or Voice Plan, otherwise you might continue to be charged a fee. To cancel, please call 13 2000 or contact your Account Executive.

'How to' videos

Select your handset below to watch our International Roaming Tips video. The video will take you through some tips and tricks on how to manage the data on your phone when travelling aboard. Managing your mobile data while overseas is important and these steps should help you to do this.