I've had a monthly account with AIS for over 2 decades. Will soon go back to OZ for about 2 years then return full-time to LOS. Will visit LOS numerous times 10 - 14 day visits many times during the 2 years. 

 

I aim to keep my low cost (no roaming) AIS account going (mostly to ensure I get OTP passwords on my smartphone in OZ from LSO). 

 

Should I buy 2 items in OZ:

 

- SIM issued in australia and a small package? (I don't anticipate many calls in Australia but I will possibly

   need to occasionally contact my bank or an Australian gov't office.) 

 

- An internet dongle to get internet signal into my notebook computer in OZ?

 

Also will the dongle provide the internet signal into my smartphone (in OZ) or does the internet signal into the smartphone come from the dongle, or does the internet signal into the smartphone come in the SIM package?

 

For both of the 2 main points above I have no need for dedicated movie streaming etc., and no need for data transfer etc. Also, all family / friends voice calls and live chat calls between LOS and OZ will be by LINE.  

 

All advice appreciated, thanks.

 

Edited October 11, 20196 yr by scorecard

I have used a Telstra dongle and SIM there on my laptop, worked ok.

If your SIM is not activated for Roaming, you will not be able to receive OTP. So activate it for Roaming but deactivate data. It would be cheaper to simply change it to a PAYG SIM and to extend it to a full year before you leave. You can buy a number of 50 baht top up cards to take with you(taking note of the expiry date) in order to extend the expiry date further whilst you are away.

 

You want a MiFi. USB 'dongles' are outdated. You don't want something that needs to be plugged into a PC or laptop in order to work. MiFi are standalone. Battery powered, but also USB and main powered capable too. 4G model can be purchased in Thailand from around 1300 baht. Don't know about OZ.

Thanks, is MiFi the same thing as pocket wifi?

6 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Thanks, is MiFi the same thing as pocket wifi?

JamJar is correct.  The OTP is coming in over the mobile network (sim card) not the internet.  Your Thai number MUST be on roaming to receive the OTP's.  Post or Pre Paid will still work, if on roaming.  Don't except calls on the Thai number while roaming. It chews up the baht very quickly. 

 

As you are going to be in Australia for 2 years, and not a shorter time like 2 months, I would suggest a 4G modem router.  It's the size of a normal residential WiFi modem, but is not connected to a copper or fiber cable.  It has a sim card in it and receives the internet off the mobile phone towers, just like a phone. 

 

These are bigger than the 4G mobile internet boxes, but one of these will do the whole house, like a normal household internet modem router, and they are still portable, just a little bigger.

 

I have a fair idea why you are returning to Australia for 2 years.  Be careful not to be a day overseas more than you are allowed. 

 

 

If you buy a 'Pocket WiFi' outside of Australia, take note of the frequencies it can support; https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/Will-my-phone-work-in-Australia-carrier-network-frequencies

 

B28 is the one that might be missing.

 

For instance; https://www.lazada.co.th/products/unlocked-huawei-e5573-e5573s-320-cat4-150mbps-wireless-mobile-mifi-wifi-router-2pcs-antenna-pk-mf90-r215-e5577-i273650607-s433452728.html covers B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/e5573-e5573s-606-4-wifi-28-700-4-wifi-4-mifi-dongle-mifi-4-wifi-i326116169-s620872298.html supports B1/B3/B7/B28, but not all of the other frequencies. Looks like an Optus model anyway.

 

Here is an article that may help you to decide; https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/257954

 

This is the kind of thing to which K Heineken refers; https://www.lazada.co.th/products/huawei-4g-new-b311-wifi-3g4g-wlan-150mbps-huawei-b310-upgrade-b311as-853-lte-cep-wifi-network-sim-router-with-vpn-funtion-i422736917-s829782008.html  Supports LTE FDD: B1/B3/B5/B8/B28 and the frequencies necessary for 3G in Australia. So a good overall option.

You might only want to spend more if you want Wireless 802.11 ac and supported WiFi frequencies at 5GHz on top of the usual 2.4 GHz.

 

 

For 4G

Telstra uses B1/B3/B7/B8/B28

Optus uses B1/B3/B7/B28/B40

Vodafone uses B1/B3/B5

 

For 3G all use one or all of B1/B3/B5 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you leave Thailand; Press:*125*1# then press the Dial key, to activate International Roaming.

 

Also *129*1# then press the Dial key, to disable Data/Internet.  *129*2# to re-enable it again. You don't need Data/Internet to receive SMS.

 

You can apply the codes in any order.

 

11 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

JamJar is correct.  The OTP is coming in over the mobile network (sim card) not the internet.  Your Thai number MUST be on roaming to receive the OTP's.  Post or Pre Paid will still work, if on roaming.  Don't except calls on the Thai number while roaming. It chews up the baht very quickly. 

 

As you are going to be in Australia for 2 years, and not a shorter time like 2 months, I would suggest a 4G modem router.  It's the size of a normal residential WiFi modem, but is not connected to a copper or fiber cable.  It has a sim card in it and receives the internet off the mobile phone towers, just like a phone. 

 

These are bigger than the 4G mobile internet boxes, but one of these will do the whole house, like a normal household internet modem router, and they are still portable, just a little bigger.

 

I have a fair idea why you are returning to Australia for 2 years.  Be careful not to be a day overseas more than you are allowed. 

 

 

Thank you.

 

Can you please check your private messages. 

deleted - question answered in previous post

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by Old Croc

12 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I have a fair idea why you are returning to Australia for 2 years.

2 years in Australia just to be eligible to receive the OAP.

I'd rather go without ….  

8 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Off topic, but do the trips out affect the 2 yr qualifying period?

that's my thought also ….  he may be in for a rude shock  !   I thought it was 2 yrs straight.

A few  days ago I spoke to a lady from the Centrelink international office in Hobart about how to accumulate the 2 years. I was careful with my words. Very pleasant conversation.

 

She went straight to comments about the 2 years:

 

- '2 years back in Australia to re-establish a home'.

- '2 years back in Australia to re-establish 'resident' status'

 

She mentioned straight up that both of these terminologies are commonly used in CL, but that the bottom line is actually 're-establish residency status', and that it's not illegal in any way.

 

She continued 'yes you have to re-establish 'resident' status and after 12 months of payments you are entitled to stay abroad and receive full benefits for life. So it starts with a serious 2 years back to re-establish 'resident' status, when completed 'resident status' drops out of the picture for the rest of your life'. 

 

She asked if I was born in Australia? Reply  'yes, and lived in Australia full-time until 50 years old, then moved to take up a very good job offer.

 

'Age now?' Way past 65.

 

She said straight up 'in this case there is an entitlement but you will have to re-establish 'residency'.

 

She also mentioned that CL knows well that this happens frequently and again she said 'it's not illegal in any way'.

 

I asked about an approach of 4 months in OZ then a holiday of say 10 to 14 days abroad. Her response was 'there are no hard rules on this but that it would be very unlikely my suggested time frames would be queried in any way. She did mention perhaps keep the days away a bit under 14.  She also mentioned in this scenario the time out of Australia would still be included in the accumulation of the total 2 years'. She did also mention that equal time in and out of Australia would not be accepted and when discovered could mean full cancellation of any accumulated time.

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by scorecard

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

Thank you.

 

Can you please check your private messages. 

 

Replied to PM.

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

that's my thought also ….  he may be in for a rude shock  !   I thought it was 2 yrs straight.

 

It appears that way. 

 

https://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/7/1/4

 

"A person arriving in or returning to Australia (1.1.A.320) must satisfy the Act's definition of Australian resident in order to lodge a proper claim for a pension. A former resident who returns to Australia and is granted a pension (Age, DSP, WP, WidB, BVA), or who transferred under SS(Admin)Act section 12 to Age CANNOT take that pension outside Australia if they leave again within 24 months after having again become an Australian resident. The purpose of this legislation is to discourage people from coming to Australia just to get an Australian pension to take back overseas."

11 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

CANNOT take that pension outside Australia if they leave again within 24 months after having again become an Australian resident.

It's printer there in black & white …..   so one CANNOT take that pension out during the 2 year establishment timeframe. 

But you can travel or holiday overseas in the two years but the time is reflected or added onto the 2yrs+ you will have to spend in Australia before getting the OAP.

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by steven100

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

It's printer there in black & white …..   so one CANNOT take that pension out during the 2 year establishment timeframe. 

But you can travel or holiday overseas in the two years but the time is reflected or added onto the 2yrs+ you will have to spend in Australia before getting the OAP.

I don't want to hijack the thread, and I would encourage the OP to start an appropriately named thread in the correct forum, so he can maybe hear from Australians currently doing their 2 years to qualify.

 

The main question is, are the 2 week holidays added onto the 2 year qualifying period, or do you start your 2 years again, if you leave Australia for 2 week. 

 

 

15 hours ago, JamJar said:

If you buy a 'Pocket WiFi' outside of Australia, take note of the frequencies it can support; https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/Will-my-phone-work-in-Australia-carrier-network-frequencies

 

B28 is the one that might be missing.

 

For instance; https://www.lazada.co.th/products/unlocked-huawei-e5573-e5573s-320-cat4-150mbps-wireless-mobile-mifi-wifi-router-2pcs-antenna-pk-mf90-r215-e5577-i273650607-s433452728.html covers B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/e5573-e5573s-606-4-wifi-28-700-4-wifi-4-mifi-dongle-mifi-4-wifi-i326116169-s620872298.html supports B1/B3/B7/B28, but not all of the other frequencies. Looks like an Optus model anyway.

 

Here is an article that may help you to decide; https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/257954

 

This is the kind of thing to which K Heineken refers; https://www.lazada.co.th/products/huawei-4g-new-b311-wifi-3g4g-wlan-150mbps-huawei-b310-upgrade-b311as-853-lte-cep-wifi-network-sim-router-with-vpn-funtion-i422736917-s829782008.html  Supports LTE FDD: B1/B3/B5/B8/B28 and the frequencies necessary for 3G in Australia. So a good overall option.

You might only want to spend more if you want Wireless 802.11 ac and supported WiFi frequencies at 5GHz on top of the usual 2.4 GHz.

 

 

For 4G

Telstra uses B1/B3/B7/B8/B28

Optus uses B1/B3/B7/B28/B40

Vodafone uses B1/B3/B5

 

For 3G all use one or all of B1/B3/B5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The OP should probably buy a one in Australia.  This would guarantee the correct frequencies would be inside the device, and no need for a reverse power plug adapter.  Also, the 4G modem might be thrown in for free with a 12 or 24 month internet plan. 

3 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

 

The OP should probably buy a one in Australia.  This would guarantee the correct frequencies would be inside the device, and no need for a reverse power plug adapter.  Also, the 4G modem might be thrown in for free with a 12 or 24 month internet plan. 

 

As I mentioned, one of those in the link is from Australia, but that it is unlocked for use anywhere.

I don't know if the models sold in Australia will be locked to the network.

For example; https://offer.optus.com.au/shop/prepaid-device/wifi-e5577b 

Can you pop a Telstra SIM within?

13 hours ago, JamJar said:

 

As I mentioned, one of those in the link is from Australia, but that it is unlocked for use anywhere.

I don't know if the models sold in Australia will be locked to the network.

For example; https://offer.optus.com.au/shop/prepaid-device/wifi-e5577b 

Can you pop a Telstra SIM within?

https://offer.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/mobile-broadband/huawei-b525-wifi

 

https://www.telstra.com.au/internet/plans

 

https://shop.vodafone.com.au/broadband-details/huawei-wifi-gateway-2-4g

 

The above is what's on offer from Australia's three telecommunication carriers. 

 

The OP would need to access his usage for the most suitable plan. 

 

These will do a whole house.  The mobile units are ok for a room, or to sit next to your laptop.

On 10/12/2019 at 11:48 AM, steven100 said:

It's printer there in black & white …..   so one CANNOT take that pension out during the 2 year establishment timeframe. 

But you can travel or holiday overseas in the two years but the time is reflected or added onto the 2yrs+ you will have to spend in Australia before getting the OAP.

Thanks, already well understood.