Mobile Phone Costs - Advice Sought

[andyr45]

Is there a more cost effective way of using an Australian mobile whilst in Thailand ? 

I currently use Telstra travel pass but at $300 for 30 days is cost ineffective.

For business purpose I need to keep my Australian mobile number.

Has anyone used a local Thai provider that will provide a local (Australian) call forwarding number to which calls can be diverted ?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

Andy

 

 

 

 

[RichCor]

You'd probably better benefit from finding an Australia-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider, allowing you access to the Australian Phone System, and forwarding your phone(s) to that service, then subscribing to Mobile Internet service on whatever mobile phone you have active while abroad to receive and make calls digitally using phone or computer software.

 

Other similar alternatives would be subscribing to Skype, LINE, MagicJack

...though these don't usually give you the option of presenting your AU Name and Business number as the outgoing caller ID. 

 

Some past ThaiVisa posts discussing similar telco calling issues:

 

Best option for a land line?
Started by Nayet, July 6, 2016

 

whats the cheapest way to phone oz?
Started by bbabythai, April 26, 2015

 

International Calling on Computer with New Phone Number
Started by racyrick, February 4, 2016

 

Avoid Skype for International calls- use LINE premium

Started by ghworker2010, April 29, 2015

 

 

100 international calls per day
Started by polakup, August 20, 2013

[andyr45]

RichCor - Thanks for the great info. I should have posted this issue ages ago and saved some money!

Now I know what to do to get sorted. 

[2008bangkok]

Use skype(without using skype)

 

Get a skype worldwide subscription which is about 10 dollars a month and includes unlimited free aus landlines and thai mobiles, then get a skype number (australian)

 

Forward all your calls from your current aus number to the skype aus number then configure skype to forward all calls from the skype aus to thai mobile.

 

Total setup copst abotu $30 then $10 a month after

[TobiasML]

Asked if Telstra is offering Voice over WIFI. If yes, the only thing you need is a wifi network to make and receive calls according to your Australian calling plan. 

[dundas]

3 hours ago, 2008bangkok said:

Use skype(without using skype)

 

Get a skype worldwide subscription which is about 10 dollars a month and includes unlimited free aus landlines and thai mobiles, then get a skype number (australian)

 

Forward all your calls from your current aus number to the skype aus number then configure skype to forward all calls from the skype aus to thai mobile.

 

Total setup copst abotu $30 then $10 a month after

Agree. I've used Skype to forward my calls (although I only use a Skype number in Australia -- that's my 'landline') and it works brilliantly, well, except when someone calls me at 9am Melbourne time, and it's 5 am in Thailand ... but apart from that it's a much better value than any deal from any Aussie Telco. 

[steveyinasia]

3 hours ago, 2008bangkok said:

Use skype(without using skype)

 

Get a skype worldwide subscription which is about 10 dollars a month and includes unlimited free aus landlines and thai mobiles, then get a skype number (australian)

 

Forward all your calls from your current aus number to the skype aus number then configure skype to forward all calls from the skype aus to thai mobile.

 

Total setup copst abotu $30 then $10 a month after

 

I have been doing this for about 5 years with an HK based Skype number, works well however at times the connection does get bad, generally OK.  Also, there is no caller ID so you have to answer all calls.

[waza46]

Look at Telstra Premium Plus plan if you are to and fro between Thailand and Australia.

Use phone in Thailand as if you are in Australia no extra charges and 1.5 GB data to boot.

[lvr181]

Get a local (Thai) sim card for phone calls and text, otherwise use free internet services for Skype, Viber, Whatsapp etc.

[iang]

If you port over to Vodafone, they have an international roaming plan - unlimited international calls in & out; unlimited local calls & you get to use the data from within your plan whilst travelling too. For this service they charge just A$5 per day. And that $5 is only charged on days the roaming service is actually used. So on days there's no incoming / outgoing calls etc, the cost is zero. This charge is in addition to your normal monthly plan. The $5 roaming plan covers may other countries (but not all) as well as Thailand.

 

The only hitch is that it becomes expensive if someone in Thailand wants to call you, as they have to call Australia. The solutions are either you maintain a local Thai sim (good idea anyway) or whoever locally in Thailand wants to call you just sends you an SMS & you phone them back.

[Jonmarleesco]

I presume you don't have a dual sim phone? If not, it might be worth buying one - most seem to have them these days. Then you keep the Australian card off,  but switch to it from time to time to check for messages.

[gwynt]

I use Viber wherever I am to other viber no's it's free and Viber out is a few cents a min. Plus you just use your normal contact list.

Regards

[andyr45]

Thank you to all for the great advice. The benefits of this forum are tangible for me.

I have spent AUD 1,500 since 2014 by not asking for advice when it is so readily available.

Much appreciated indeed.