Mobile phone roaming in Norfolk Island
July 23, 2009 2:55 AM Subscribe
Is it possible to use my mobile phone with Vodafone-Australia sim card in Norfolk Island? Is roaming enabled? I tried to get help from Vodafone call center, they couldn't give me a definite answer.
Norfolk Telecom used to be run by Telstra*. I believe it's still run with a lot of tech support from them.
This page seems to indicate they don't have roaming agreements with anybody as of March this year.
(* When I worked for the Big Golden T, our NOC in Sydney tried to send me there on after-hours callouts a couple of times because "you look after those islands off the coast, don't you? Y'know, Stradbroke, Moreton, etc?". I eventually discovered that they were maintained by Northern NSW Country, and staff flew there from Armidale...)
posted by Pinback at 3:48 AM on July 23, 2009
This page seems to indicate they don't have roaming agreements with anybody as of March this year.
(* When I worked for the Big Golden T, our NOC in Sydney tried to send me there on after-hours callouts a couple of times because "you look after those islands off the coast, don't you? Y'know, Stradbroke, Moreton, etc?". I eventually discovered that they were maintained by Northern NSW Country, and staff flew there from Armidale...)
posted by Pinback at 3:48 AM on July 23, 2009
This Vodafone page shows that they have roaming for Norfolk Island for business mobile plans - I'm sure they will also have it for personal ones, but they have stupid zones and plans for that.
So yes, I think it will work. You may have to turn international roaming on for your phone/account - the call centre SHOULD be able to manage that much (but you usually need a postpaid, not prepaid account). You will have to pay roaming rates (the rates shown on the page I linked to are business rates).
posted by AnnaRat at 7:19 PM on July 23, 2009
So yes, I think it will work. You may have to turn international roaming on for your phone/account - the call centre SHOULD be able to manage that much (but you usually need a postpaid, not prepaid account). You will have to pay roaming rates (the rates shown on the page I linked to are business rates).
posted by AnnaRat at 7:19 PM on July 23, 2009
AnnaRat: that page you linked is the rate card for calling those countries from a Vodafone mobile in Australia.
If you look at this page, which lists Vodafone's roaming partners by plan, Norfolk Is. doesn't appear at all.
neworder7: Norfolk Is. has only 1 telecommunications company. They have a website - yes, I know it looks like just an ISP, but it's the local telco. Ask them, because they'll know for sure who they do and do not have roaming agreements with.
posted by Pinback at 10:51 PM on July 23, 2009
If you look at this page, which lists Vodafone's roaming partners by plan, Norfolk Is. doesn't appear at all.
neworder7: Norfolk Is. has only 1 telecommunications company. They have a website - yes, I know it looks like just an ISP, but it's the local telco. Ask them, because they'll know for sure who they do and do not have roaming agreements with.
posted by Pinback at 10:51 PM on July 23, 2009
Agree with ask them, but I suspect you will want to buy a pre-paid sim from them for your visit. Just change your voicemail on your usual number to state the NI number while you are away - no unexpected charges.
posted by bystander at 5:11 AM on July 24, 2009
posted by bystander at 5:11 AM on July 24, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Australian phone providers have very few overseas partnerships that are cost effective. More than a few friends have returned home and been hit with +$1K of charges due to roaming fees.
For Australians, your best bet is to buy a cheap, pre-paid phone in every country you arrive at if you need one, and let your friends know your new number via SMS.
I realise that's a pain, but it's the most cost-effective way of travelling if you're an Aussie.
posted by Neale at 3:21 AM on July 23, 2009