International Roaming

What is International Roaming?

International Roaming allows you to use your mobile phone overseas as if you were in Australia. You can make and receive calls, send and receive texts and use data while you are abroad. As we have partnered with mobile operators in more than 170 international destinations, callers from Australia can simply call or text your Australian number and you’ll receive it on your handset while travelling.

Please be aware that International Roaming charges are much higher than normal call charges Australia. Charges also apply for receiving calls. International Roaming charges are additional to your plans inclusions. This means you’ll be charged for all your International Roaming call, text and data usage. Also keep in mind that not all mobile handsets are compatible with mobile networks in all countries.

SpinTel recommends purchasing a SIM card when travelling which is connected directly to the overseas mobile operator’s network. This is much more cost effective. Should you wish to make the most of the convenience of International Roaming and remain contactable on your Australian mobile number, this feature can be activated on your service, once certain qualification requirements are fulfilled.

How do I activate International Roaming?

To avoid unexpected International Roaming charges, access to International Roaming is disabled by default on all mobile services. However, it can be enabled on your individual mobile service. To enable or disable International Roaming, please call our Customer Service team on 1300 303 375 and request ‘International Roaming’ on your mobile service. Keep in mind that before International Roaming can be enabled, certain qualification requirements must be met.

How can I avoid expensive International Roaming charges?

There are a few simple things you can do:

1. Turn off ‘Data Roaming’ on your mobile device: This tells your phone that you do not want access to data while you are overseas.
2. Make sure the apps on your phone are not downloading or updating in the background: Your phone could be chewing up data without your knowledge.
3. Become aware of the costs of calls, text and data before you travel, so you know what charges to expect.
4. Consider turning off all incoming calls and text messages to help reduce costs.

What are the International Roaming charges?

Listed below are the International Roaming rates, all of these rates appear in Australian dollars.

Some things to take note of:

Voice and video calls are billed in 60-second increments and GST does not apply to roaming charges (besides SMS and MMS).

‘National Voice Calls’ are calls to landlines or mobiles within that country. For instance, if you selected ‘USA’, National Voice calls would be a call to a US landline or mobile while you are in that country.

‘International Voice Calls’ are calls outside the country you are in.

You will be charged the rate for the country you are in. Remember that callers from Australia will be charged the normal cost of a call or SMS to a SpinTel mobile. You will also pay SpinTel roaming rates for receiving calls in the country you are roaming in.

How do I turn off data on my mobile phone?

We’d love to list step-by-step instructions for all mobile devices but, unfortunately, there are too many! However, we’ve given you a brief rundown below of the most popular devices:

Apple iOS (iPhone)

1. Select the ‘Settings’ app on your home screen
2. Select ‘General’
3. Select ‘Network’
4. Slide the ‘Data Roaming’ slider to ‘Off’

Android

1. Press the menu key
2. Select the ‘Settings’ option
3. Select ‘Wireless & networks’
4. Scroll down until you find the option for ‘Mobile network settings’
5. Un-tick ‘Data roaming’

When will you notify me of International Roaming charges?

As an existing customer, you will be able to monitor your International Roaming charges through My Account. This will be located under your mobile service’s call usage.

Records of your usage will be received from mobile operators in the country in which you are travelling. However, this can be a slow process and make take up to three months, so it is highly recommended that you keep an eye on your usage to ensure no unexpected bills.

How do I contact SpinTel when I’m overseas?

You may contact SpinTel on our local Sydney telephone number: (02) 82637905. The international dialling format for this is: +61282637905 from a mobile phone or 0011 61 282637905 from a fixed telephone. Keep in mind that if you are calling from your mobile service with International Roaming, you will be charged expensive per-minute voice calling charges.

Instead, you may prefer (if you have access to a fixed Internet service) to make an online enquiry. As an existing customer, you can do so at any time through My Account.