Video Calling
Show and tell with Video Calling
With video calling, you can change the way you connect with the important people in your life - just by picking up the phone. It’s a whole new experience that comes ready-to-go on a compatible Telstra Next G™ or 3G mobile phone.
Making a video call to family and friends means you’ll be able to see and hear them on your compatible Telstra mobile phone. So it’s ideal for sharing special moments or catching up with loved ones. Feel the power of video calling and see them smile, watch them laugh and show others that you’re thinking of them.
It’s the next best thing to being there.
Making a Video Call
Whether it’s sharing a funny moment with a friend, sending a birthday message, getting advice on a gift before you buy, or saying goodnight to the kids when you’re away – making a video call is easy!
- Select the person or enter the number you want to call.
- Press the dedicated video calling button (image of head and shoulders) OR select 'Options' then ‘Video call’.
Note: Before you make a video-call, you should check:
- You have 3G or Next G coverage on your mobile handset
- The person you are calling has 3G or Next G handset and has good network coverage in their area
View Anne Fulwood's video review of Video Calling on Consumer News or read the full news article.
So when would be a good time to make a video call?
- Showing off a new purchase or getting a second opinion before you buy.
- Saying goodnight to your kids face-to-face when you’re away.
- Staying in touch with someone you don’t see often but miss all the time.
- Sharing a funny moment with a friend and seeing their reaction.
- Sending birthday wishes with a personal touch.
- Sharing unusual events that friends just won’t believe.
Receiving a video call
If you are in a Next G™ or 3G coverage area, you will be able to accept or reject the video call by pressing the answer button. If the call is not answered, then the video call will go through to your Video MessageBank service.
If you are not in a Next G or 3G coverage area then the video call will be unsuccessful and the calling party will hear a recorded message advising them that the video call was not possible and that they should try a voice call.
Where can I use my Telstra video mobile phone (Next G™ or 3G)?
To make and receive video calls on your video calling capable Telstra mobile you must be in a Next G or 3G coverage area. Our Next G network has extensive national coverage. Our 3G network covers selected areas of Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Canberra.
Remember, your ability to use Video Calling is dependent on your phone's capability as well as the ability to connect to the coverage area provided from either the Next G or 3G networks.
See where you can use Telstra video calling by viewing our interactive coverage maps.
Outside a Next G or 3G call coverage area
If you make a video call to a person with a video calling capable Telstra mobile (Next G or 3G) while they are outside a Next G or 3G coverage area, the video call will be unsuccessful and you will have the option to make a voice call instead. If the person you are video calling is not answering, on another call or their mobile phone is switched off, the video call will divert to their Video MessageBank®, if they have one activated.
You must be in a Next G or 3G coverage area to view video messages on your Video MessageBank, but you can hear the voice component of your video messages outside these areas. Simply dial '101' and select either a voice or video call.
If you or the other person on the video call move out of a Next G or 3G coverage area, your video call will drop out. You will be able to call the other person back with a voice call.
To check if you're in a coverage zone, simply locate the Next G or 3G signal display on your mobile h andset (this may vary depending on the type of h andset you own).
What you need to know
There may be places within our Next G or 3G coverage areas where access to video calling and Video MessageBank is limited or unavailable – in high-rise buildings for example.
We have an extensive mobile network around Australia. However, you should check our mobile coverage maps to ensure that there is coverage in the areas where you are most likely to use your phone. Even in areas with mobile coverage there can be places where your phone will not work. This is a common characteristic of wireless systems.
More Information
- Find out about 3G coverage
- Find your nearest Telstra Shop
International Video Calling
You can use your 3G or Next G™ handset to make international video calls to 3GSM customers of mobile carriers in selected countries where we have arrangements in place. See Next G network settings for overseas. Here is a list of these countries:
International Video calls
| Country | Carrier |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Afghan Wireless |
| Austria | Hutchison 3G |
| Austria | Mobilkom |
| Austria | One |
| Austria | T-Mobile |
| Bahrain | MTC - Vodafone |
| Belgium | Proximus |
| Croatia | VIP-Net |
| Croatia | T-Mobile |
| Czech Republic | Telefonica O2 |
| Denmark | Hi3G |
| Egypt | Etisalat |
| Finland | Sonera |
| France | Orange |
| France | SFR |
| Germany | E-Plus |
| Germany | T-Mobile |
| Germany | Vodafone |
| Greece | Cosmote |
| Hong Kong | CSL |
| Hong Kong | Hutchison |
| Hong Kong | SmarTone |
| Hong Kong | Sunday |
| Hungary | T-Mobile |
| Ireland | Hutchison 3G |
| Israel | Cellcom |
| Italy | Hi3G |
| Italy | TIM |
| Italy | Vodafone |
| Japan | DoCoMo |
| Japan | Softbank Mobile |
| Kuwait | Wataniya |
| Malaysia | Celcom |
| Malaysia | Maxis |
| Netherlands | KPN |
| Netherlands | T-Mobile |
| New Zealand | Vodafone |
| Norway | Netcom |
| Norway | Telenor |
| Philippines | Smart |
| Poland | PTC-ERA |
| Poland | Polkomtel |
| Portugal | Optimus |
| Portugal | TMN |
| Portugal | Telecel |
| Singapore | MobileOne |
| Singapore | SingTel |
| Singapore | StarHub |
| Slovak Republic | Orange |
| Slovak Republic | T-Mobile |
| South Africa | MTN |
| South Africa | Vodacom |
| South Korea | SK Telecom |
| Spain | Telefonica |
| Sweden | Hi3G |
| Switzerland | Swisscom |
| Switzerland | Sunrise |
| Taiwan | Chunghwa |
| Taiwan | Far EasTone |
| Taiwan | Taiwan Mobile |
| UAE | Etisalat |
| United Kingdom | Hutchison 3 |
| United Kingdom | O2 |
| United Kingdom | T-Mobile |
| United Kingdom | Orange |
| United Kingdom | Vodafone |
Next G™ Network Settings for Overseas
In certain countries, a 3G network may not be available – or even exist. In these instances, the handset or device should be able to connect to a 2G network, if there is a 2G network that roams with Telstra and provides coverage in the area you are travelling.
In case the handset doesn't find a network for you automatically, please follow the appropriate steps provided in the attachment for your handset/device.
If your 3G handset does roam to a overseas 2G network you will not be able to make video calls but normal voice calls will be available.
If you are having problems, please call Telstra's International Roaming Helpdesk:
- From Australia call 125 109
- From Overseas call +61 439 125 109.
Video Call Pricing
The rate we charge for video calling varies according to your chosen Telstra mobile plan. See the tables below for the video call rates associated with our mobile plans.
Alternatively, if you are on a Phone Plan or Member Plan with a monthly spend of $20 or above for 24 months you can take up the My Hour Bonus and receive up to 20 mins of free video-calling every day. Simply nominate one hour of the day or night to receive the first 20 minutes of each eligible voice or video call within that hour - FREE. You can call any eligible fixed or mobile number within Australia every day of the week. To take up the My Hour Bonus Option (available on selected Mobile Member and Phone plans), call Telstra Mobiles on 125 1111.
Phone, Member & Casual Plans
| Call Connection Fee for Video Calls to 3G or Next G mobiles in Australia or a PC | Video Call Rates to 3G or Next G mobiles in Australia or a PC - per 30 sec block (or part) | Call Connection Fee for Video Calls to International mobile numbers | Video Call Rates to International mobile numbers - per 30 sec (charged per second block or part) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27c | 55c | 44c | 75c |
Telstra 3G & Next G Cap Plans
| Cap Plan Type | Call Connection Fee for Video Calls to 3G or Next G mobiles in Australia or a PC | Video Call Rates to 3G or Next G mobiles in Australia or a PC - per 30 sec block (or part) | Call Connection Fee for Video Calls to International mobile numbers | Video Call Rates to International mobile numbers - per 30 sec (charged per second block or part) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49 Cap | 37c | 55c | 44c | 75c |
| $79 Cap | 37c | 55c | 44c | 75c |
| $99 Cap | 27c | 55c | 44c | 75c |
| $129 Cap | 27c | 55c | 44c | 75c |
Things you need to know
- Excludes some calls and plans such as 19, 12, or 1800 numbers, emergency calls, satellite calls, diversion calls, value added services (such as reminder, wake up calls and time), Operator assisted calls and MessageBank®. FairPlay Policy applies.
